NALC celebrates excellence as it crowns its Star Council Awards winners 

We announced our Star Council Awards winners at a dazzling ceremony at the prestigious House of Lords on 25 February 2025.

The event brought together councillors, clerks, MPs, parliamentarians, academics, national stakeholders and leading opinion formers to honour the individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional talent, innovation, and dedication in supporting their communities.

The day was filled with excitement and anticipation as guests and finalists eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners. The Star Council Awards have become a hallmark occasion for recognising and celebrating the achievements of parish and town councils.

This year's winners stood out among an impressive pool of nominees, showcasing their commitment to excellence and significant contributions to their communities. The esteemed panel of judges had the challenging task of selecting the best of the best.

The ceremony included a speech by local government minister Baroness Taylor of Stevenage. She expressed gratitude for parish and town councils' work for their communities nationwide. The reception celebrated achievements and allowed the sector to network, collaborate, and inspire one another.

Our chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, commented, "Congratulations to all the winners of the Star Council Awards! Your dedication and passion for local governance are genuinely inspiring. You have made a lasting impact through your hard work, championing inclusivity, driving innovation, and strengthening communities. Your leadership and commitment set the standard for excellence in local government. Today, we celebrate your achievements and the resilience and creativity that define the heart of community service. Well done – you are the shining stars of local democracy."

The winners of the Star Council Awards are:

• Council of the Year — Great Linford Parish Council, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes
• Councillor of the Year — Cllr Richard Collins, Great Braxted Parish Council, Essex
• Young Councillor of the Year — Cllr Nathan Dunbar, Polegate Town Council, East Sussex
• County Association of the Year — Suffolk Association of Local Councils
• Clerk of the Year — James Hardy, Penzance Town Council, Cornwall
• Climate Response of the Year — Exmouth Town Council, Devon

Clear Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Cloudy IT, Facilitating the Future, Unity Trust Bank and Utility Aid sponsor the Star Council Awards.