Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme
(quality logo)What is the Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme?
The scheme was published in 2003 by the office of the deputy prime minister. The aim of the scheme was to provide a benchmark minimum standard for all parish and town councils across the country.What are the benefits?
- Allows local councils to show to their residents that minimum standards have been meet.
- The community will benefit from having a council that has shown to be accountable, visible and representative.
- Quality council will be in a better position to influence the decision making process and take on additional services and areas of responsibility from their principle local authorities.
What is involved?
To apply for quality status councils must submit an application form together with supporting evidence to the local authority accreditation panelThe assessment is made up of 7 tests (link to outline of the tests)
Test 1. Electoral Mandate – On first accreditation 80% of the members of the council must have been elected. On all subsequent re-accreditations 100% of members must have been elected.
Test 2. Qualified Clerk – The council’s clerk must hold either the certificate in local council administration or the certificate of higher education in local policy or local council administration awarded by the University of Gloucestershire.
Test 3. Council Meeting - Must be able to demonstrate that 6 meetings are held per year, that time is allocated for public participation at these meetings, notices of meetings are publicly displayed at least 3 clear days before each meeting and minutes of the meeting are published within 2 months of the meeting taking place.
Test 4. Communication – Comprises of a variety of mandatory and discretionary tests to show that the council communicates consults and actively involves its electorate, local organisations and members of the public.
Test 5. Annual report – Requires that an annual report is published and made available by 30th June of the following year.
Test 6. Accountability – This test ensures that all councils maintain accurate and transparent financial records.
Test 7. Code of conduct – Required to show that the council has formally adopted a code of conduct.
To help cover the costs of the accreditation process a fee is charged, £29.38 for a councils who’s expenditure is under £50 000, £58.75 for councils who’s expenditure is between £50,000 and £100,000 and £117.50 for councils who’s expenditure is over £100,000.
Accreditation lasts four years and councils are given three months after this period to reapply.
What support is available
The BATPC (Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish councils) can provide advice and guidance throughout the application process. For further information please contact: Jemma McLean on 01234 832617Further information is also available from on the NALC (National Association of Local Council) website by clicking on this external link