Newton Abbot Town Council ranked among England’s very best.

NEWTON Abbot Town Council has been ranked among the very best in England after being awarded a Silver in the National Association of Local Council’s (NALC) Local Council Award Scheme.

With more than 10,000 parish and town councils across the country and only a few hundred having achieved the same level of expertise, the result places Newton Abbot in the top five per cent.

The scheme promotes high standards by demanding evidence of excellence in governance, community engagement, service delivery and continuing improvement.

NALC only recently introduced the Bronze, Silver and Gold system with Newton Abbot opting to apply for both of the first two tiers at its first attempt.

On announcing the Silver Award, NALC Chair Iain Hamilton said: ‘Receiving the Silver Award is an excellent achievement.

‘Furthermore, this award shows that your council has gone above and beyond the legal obligations; you lead your community and continuously seek opportunities to improve and develop even further. Therefore, the council is to be congratulated immensely.

‘As your council has shown its commitment to continuous improvement and development, I very much look forward to Newton Abbot Town Council applying for the Gold Award and celebrating more achievements.’

Town Clerk Phil Rowe was thrilled with the result and said: ‘The Council is delighted and honoured to receive the Local Council Award Scheme Silver Award.

‘It is a wonderful recognition of the effort and pride the Council puts into our community along with a testament to the great endeavours of all of its staff.

‘We will start working towards achieving Gold immediately.’

To achieve the top ranking, Mr Rowe and his team must demonstrate they operate at what NALC describes as ‘the pinnacle of best practices’, not only providing ‘exemplary leadership’ for their communities but also fostering unity and exhibiting ‘outstanding business planning processes ensuring optimal value for money’.

Mayor Cllr Louise Cooke said: ‘It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all our staff on attaining the silver award.  

‘The councillors and myself as Mayor recognise the excellent work that is done in ensuring the town becomes a destination to enjoy.’

 The photo shows left – right Town Clerk Phil Rowe, Deputy Town Clerk Sam Scott, Principal Administrator Linda McGuirk, Projects and Strategy Officer Pierre Doutreligne.

For more information email phil.rowe@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk