The Council was accredited on 14^th March 2008 and became the 549^th nationally, the 7^th in Northamptonshire and the 1^st Quality Parish Council in East Northamptonshire District (Thrapston was the district’s first Quality Town Council).

 

What is the Quality Parish Scheme (QPS)?

The scheme was launched by DEFRA in July 2003 following a Government White Paper Our Countryside: The Future. A Fair Deal For Rural England (November 2000) which proposed a number of initiatives designed to enhance the role of parish and town councils.  The scheme was updated in June 2008.

 

A Quality Parish Council:

• is representative of, and actively engages, all parts of its community, providing vision, identity and a sense of belonging;

• is effectively and properly managed;

• articulates the needs and wishes of its community;

• upholds high standards of conduct;

• is committed to work in partnership with principal local authorities and other public service agencies;

• in proportion to its size and skills, delivers local services on behalf of principal local authorities when this represents the best deal for the local community;

• works closely with voluntary groups in its community;

• provides leadership to the community through its work on parish plans; and

• working with its partners, acts as an information point for local services.

What are the (updated) accreditation tests?

 

1. Electoral Mandate      2. Qualifications of the Clerk

3. Council Meetings        4. Communication & Community Engagement

5. Annual Report            6. Accounts

7. Code of Conduct         8. Promoting Local Democracy & Citizenship

9. Terms & Conditions    10. Training

 

Taken as a whole, the tests exceed the statutory duties with which all parish councils should be complying as a matter of course, and represent standards which an efficient, well-run parish council that actively engages with and works for its community should be meeting.

How is the accreditation undertaken?

The County Accreditation Panel meets to determine the submitted applications and evidence portfolio.  The panel meets in closed session to review the evidence, then interviews representatives from the Council (e.g. the Chairman and the Clerk).  The panel’s decision is then forwarded to the National Association of Local Councils for formal certification.

 

The accreditation must be renewed every 4 years.  As at 17^th December 2011 there are 685 accredited Councils.

 

Updated 30/12/2011.

Quality Parish Council

Scheme

 

© Chelveston-cum-caldecott Parish Council 2002-12

 

Email: Clerk@Chelveston.org.uk

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