Q

QUALITY

PARISH

COUNCIL

Yapton has just joined a handful of Parish Councils nationwide in being granted “Quality” status, a prestigious new award introduced last year by the Government. It is also the first Parish Council within Arun District to be granted the award.

The Accreditation Panel met on 22 June 2004 and approved the award following consideration of a detailed portfolio of evidence submitted by the Council.

Parish Councillors are proud and delighted that Yapton has been accorded this recognition. The Council has strived over the years to provide a cost-effective and quality service for local residents. The award underlines the approach of council members in setting aside any political differences and simply seeking to do their very best in representing and improving services for everyone in the village.

On 12 August 2004, Yapton Parish Councillors joined with Littlehampton Town Councillors and other invited guests in the New Millennium Chamber at Littlehampton to be presented with their Quality Parish and Town Council Awards from The Earl of Lytton, President of the National Association of Local Councils.

[Michael Fellows, Chairman of Yapton Parish Council, receiving the Quality Status award from Lord Lytton, President of the National Association of Local Councils]

Receiving the award from The Earl of Lytton, the Chairman of Yapton Parish Council, Michael Fellows, commented:

“Whether you are a larger Town Council, such as Littlehampton or a smaller Parish Council, such as Yapton, Quality Status is an important benefit to the Council and to the community it serves. It shows that we are working effectively and properly managing the affairs of the Parish. It demonstrates that we work closely with all agencies, from professional services through to voluntary groups. It shows that we can provide leadership to the community and can be trusted to engage with other partners in delivering services.”

In congratulating Yapton Parish Council on its achievement, Dr John Godfrey, Chairman of the Accreditation Panel, said “The Panel wish to highly commend David Tansley, your Clerk, on the quality of the Council’s submission; it is particularly significant because yours is the first awarded to a Parish Council in the area where the Clerk operates from home without the support structure associated with a larger council”.

Background to Quality Status

The concept of Quality Parish Councils was introduced by the Government in the Rural White Paper in 2000 and was officially launched on 1 July 2003. Alun Michael MP, the Minister responsible for Local Government Issues, said of the Scheme that it provides 'confirmation and assurance that those awarded with Quality status are representative, competent, well managed, and able to take an enhanced role".

In order to meet the requirements of The Quality Parish Council Scheme, Yapton Parish Council passed a number of specified Quality Tests.  These included:

· The publication of an Annual Report

· The preparation of accounts in line with Accounts and Audit Regulations

· Effective communication with the production of the Parish Council newsletter, information on the notice board in the village, the Council’s website, and consultation exercises

· Electoral mandate requirements which were met in the May 2003 local elections

· Qualifications of the Clerk.  David Tansley was awarded the Assessment and Qualification Alliance Certificate in Local Council Administration in March this year. The award of this qualification was a prerequisite of the Council applying for Quality Status

· The adoption of a Code of Conduct for Councillors to which all Councillors have to adhere

· The number of Council meetings held and the involvement of the public through the Public Question Time.

The Council has Quality Parish Status for 4 years and will be able to use the “Quality” logo during this period. 

David Tansley

Clerk of the Council

18 August 2004 (updated)