Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS)

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: –

Foundation- which demonstrates a council meets the requirements for operating lawfully and according to standard practice

Quality – which demonstrates that a council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement

Quality Gold – 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.

Currently 14 Cheshire local councils hold an award. See below for details: -

Foundation Tier
Cranage Parish Council: April 2023 to April 2027 (re-accreditation)
Hatherton and Walgherton Parish Council: October 2021 to October 2025 (new accreditation)
Frodsham: September 2023 to September 2027 (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)

For a short overview of the scheme and its benefits please follow this link

To find out more about the scheme please contact Sharon Angus-Crawshaw (sharonangus-crawshaw@chalc.org.uk)

Download the latest Local Council Award Scheme Guidance