ESSEX Association of Local Councils was announced as a Star Council Awards finalist by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) on 18 September 2018.

NALC’s annual awards celebrate the positive impact local councils, councillors and county associations have on their communities, and the ultimate accolade for the sector. Winners will be announced on 30 October as part of NALC’s Annual Conference.

The Local Service Fund administered by EALC on behalf of Essex County Council (ECC) seeks to make a contribution to local life in Essex. The ECC Leader Councillor David Finch in consultation with the EALC Chairman Councillor Davey and Vice, Councillor Gili-Ross looked at how Local Communities could make decisions on their own priorities. Councillors identified there was a gap in the funding system where predominantly funds only paid for capital expenditure. Both Parish sector Councils and voluntary organisations have a gap in funding for staff. This fund was developed to bridge this gap, make projects viable over a three year period giving organisations time to increase their income through precept or other means.

Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC, said: “Each year the awards get bigger and the level of entries gets stronger. This year we were particularly pleased to see how local councils have engaged with their communities to make a positive impact. We received a record number of nominations this year and would like to congratulate this year’s finalists, and thank everyone for their entries.”

Find out more about the awards https://www.nalc.gov.uk/counciloftheyear