The Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) has been designed to celebrate the successes of the very best local councils and to provide a framework to support all local councils to improve and develop to meet their full potential. The scheme – which is administered by NALC – offers councils the opportunity to show that they meet the standards set by the sector, assessed by their peers, and to put in place the conditions for continued improvement.
Councils can apply for an award at one of three levels. N.B. These were updated in October 2024 and are now known as: –
Bronze Award- which demonstrates a council meets the requirements for operating lawfully and according to standard practice
SilverAward- which demonstrates that a council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement
Gold Award – which demonstrates that a council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development
To be successful local councils must demonstrate that they meet the criteria of the guidance that is in place at the date they submit their completed application form to the national accreditation panel. The Award is held for 4 years, and then councils can apply for re-accreditation. Councils can also apply for accreditation at a higher level at any time. Full information is provided in the GUIDE
Currently 18 Cheshire local councils hold an award at the former levels. See below for details: -
Foundation Tier
Clotton Hoofield Parish Council: September 2024 to September 2028 (new accreditation)
Cranage Parish Council: April 2023 to April 2027 (re-accreditation)
Duddon and Burton Parish Council: August 2024 to August 2028 (new accreditation)
Dunham on the Hill & Hapsford Parish Council: May 2024 to May 2027 (new accreditation)
Frodsham Town Council: September 2023 to September 2027 (new accreditation)
Hargrave and Huxley Parish Council: September 2024 to September (new accreditation)
Hatherton and Walgherton Parish Council: October 2021 to October 2025 (new accreditation)
Neston Town Council: March 2023 to March 2027 (new accreditation)
Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council: December 2023 to December 2027 (new accreditation)
Willington Parish Council : December 2022 to December 2026 (re-accreditation)
Quality Tier
Alsager Town Council: April 2023 to April 2027 (re-accreditation)
Ashton Hayes and Horton cum Peel Parish Council: April 2024 to April 2028 (new accreditation & follows on from Foundation Award gained December 2023)
Quality Gold Tier
Bollington Town Council: December 2023 to December 2027 (new accreditation)
Goostrey Parish Council: May 2022 to May 2026 (new accreditation)
Holmes Chapel Parish Council: July 2021 to July 2025 (re-accreditation)
Knutsford Town Council: August 2021 to August 2025 (re-accreditation)
Nantwich Town Council: August 2022 to August 2026 (new accreditation)
Somerford Parish Council: June 2021 to June 2025 (re-accreditation)
To find out more about the scheme please contact Sharon Angus-Crawshaw (sharonangus-crawshaw@chalc.org.uk) or see on the NALC website HERE