Felpham Parish Council receives Quality Council award

The presentation was made at the Memorial Village Hall in Vicarage Lane, Felpham, by the Earl of Lytton, president of the National Association of Local Councils.

Arun District Council chairman Cllr Don Ayling was also in attendance.

Felpham Parish Council is only the fourth council in Arun to be granted this status.

Chairman Cllr Paul English said: "The parish council and its councillors had been trying to attain this status for some time.

"It was a credit to past and present councillors in helping to improve the council's standards.

"The parish was also very lucky to have a fully-certificated quality clerk to ensure those standards are now maintained and improved upon.

"I feel great pride in Felpham Parish Council gaining the award."

The national Quality Parish and Town Council scheme was designed to provide minimum standards for parish and town councils and to improve their service to the community.

It also aims to enhance the relationship between councils '“ parish, district and county '“ and community and voluntary groups.

To achieve quality status the council passed tests relating to its electoral mandate, the qualifications of clerk Richard Wickens, its meetings, annual report, accounts and code of conduct, and how it communicated with other organisations and the public.

The standards achieved by passing these tests exceed the statutory duties of a parish council and represent the level an efficient, well-run one should reach.

Quality councils are in a better position to influence the decision- making process and to take on extra services and responsibilities from district and county councils.

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