The Local Council Award Scheme celebrates the achievements of outstanding local councils and provides a structured framework to support all councils in reaching their full potential.
The scheme allows councils to demonstrate that they meet sector standards, is assessed by peer review, and establishes a foundation for ongoing improvement. Designed to offer both guidance and motivation, the Award Scheme supports councils at all stages - from those starting on their improvement journey to those leading the way with innovative practices.
By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and raising standards, the scheme empowers councils and the sector to better serve their communities and achieve excellence.
Councils can apply for an award at one of three levels:
The Bronze Award demonstrates that a council meets the requirements for operating lawfully and according to standard practice.
The Silver Award demonstrates that a council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement.
The Gold Award demonstrates that a council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development.
How SALC can support your application
Currently Suffolk only has a handful of councils who are accredited to the Local Council Award Scheme and we are keen to increase our numbers. We have developed this dedicated page with a view to increasing our support to those councils considering applying.
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Let us know your council is considering applying, this will allow us to mark this on our customer management system and check with you from time to time how things are progressing to see if we can assist. From time to time NALC offer webinars on how to complete a successful application - set up an account in their website and register to receive updates from them about events.
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If you need assistance with templates or find examples of how other councils have approached training and development plans, for example, or other policies and procedures let us know. We can put out a request for others to contact you direct. Raise this through the member portal.
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Update us when you have formally applied this helps us keep track on progress including the timetable for feedback, panel consideration and final decision.
Below we have visualised the staged process of your application for information, full details available online, in the guide and within the application.
Resolution
confirm criteria is met through application process in a public meeting
Submit
your application making a note of timetable - and inform SALC
Tips before you apply!
Timing
Allow at least 6 months to get your application ready. Check when the next application deadline is and work back from there. Check when the assessment panels are meeting, there are three rounds per annum. Use this link to view details for 2025.
Preparation
Read the guidance on the NALC website so that the council can establish which level you are closest aligned to. It is a good idea to produce a report that enables the council to make a formal resolution and using that report to consider the time and effort required for each level.
Step by step
Consider starting at Bronze level and working up to Gold. If you have already identified a number of gaps at each level, with increasing workloads, taking a step by step approach can be more achieveable for small to medium-sized councils.
Once you are accredited
Celebrate your success
Let the community know that you are now an accredited council. Consider contacting the local press and SALC so they can publicise your achievement, use local magazines and social media to widen the audience. Include district and county councillors and even your local MP.
Logos
Add the award logo to your website and email footer to continue to promote your achievement and the standard to which the council operates.
Renewal
Make a note of when the accreditation expires and we recommend at least 12 month's in advance to ensure that you have time to re-apply.