SALC - Winner of County Association of the Year 2024
We are delighted to have been recognised as a winner at the prestigious Star Council Awards held at the House of Lords on 25th February 2025. This accolade celebrates our efforts in supporting parishes and towns across Suffolk particularly in navigating the complexities of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPS).
SALC's award-winning initiative "Getting to Grips with NSIPs" was developed in collaboration with Suffolk County Council and offers guidance that allows councils and parish meetings to effectively engage with these infrastructure projects. The comprehensive guide, published in November 2023, provides essential tools and insights to ensure representation of community interests.
Supported by Suffolk County Council's Centre of Excellence and the DLUHC Innovation and Capacity Fund, the guide was crafted with contributions from councillors, clerks, planning experts and specialist lawyers. It includes signposting potential routes for collaborative working for parishes and towns using joint committees which offers the benefits of reducing duplication and pooling of expertise.
Sally Longmate, Chief Executive Officer who collected the Award on behalf of SALC, said "on behalf of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils I am honoured to accept this award in recognition of our ambition to collaborate for the benefit of the communities all tiers of the public sector serve. It clearly reflects what can be achieved when we work together and is a small step in highlighting the need for more professional support and expertise at the grass roots level of the public sector and more specifically in relation to energy projects."
Visit our dedicated page on energy projects including access to "Getting to Grips with NSIPs"
Odile Wladon, Stradbroke Parish Council - Finalist Clerk of the Year 2024
Odile stood out as an exceptional clerk for Stradbroke Parish Council, exemplifying integrity and a commitment to transparency in her work. Her approach is rooted through research and evidence-based advice, often collaborating with specialists to provide comprehensive insights for the benefit of the community. Notable achievements of Odile's leadership include her ability to foster collaboration within the community to address pedestrian safety concerns and a vision for long-term projects such as the 2019 neighbourhood plan aimed at enhancing biodiversity and promoting health and wellbeing. These efforts have strengthened relationships and reinforce a positive perception of both the village and its council through open dialogue and effective management of priorities and funding.
The Star Council Awards ceremony brought together councillors, clerks, MPs, parliamentarians, academics, national stakeholders and leading opinion-formers to honor exceptional talent, innovation and dedication to local government. The event was marked by a speech from local government minister, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, who praised the invaluable work of our sector nationwide.
