Quality Status

The Rural White Paper 2000 suggested that parish councils should be given more responsibilities in order to stimulate a greater interest in politics and democracy at the heart of our communities.

There are currently 41 'Best Value' town and parish councils. They have all produced a 'Best Value Performance Plan' and continue to develop their role in the provision of better local services.

More recent plans published in a consultation paper aim to develop a selection of specifically chosen 'quality councils' who will work in close partnership with their communities and local authorities. A certain amount of responsibility may be transferred from district councils to parish councils, such as, street lighting, parking restrictions, litter collection, leisure facilities and libraries.

This delegation of functions needs to be matched by a delegation of funding and currently the government has allocated £2 million to train parish staff. These changes herald the first national strategy for parish councils. It is hoped that with the proper funding and support they could help to revive flagging interest in local politics while freeing up local authorities to concentrate on the more far-reaching regional services and also on regional developments.

We submitted a portfolio of evidence to a panel of Councillors, Clerk and Local Authority personnel in Aylesbury, who, appointed by the government, had the task of judging how well and effectively we serve our community. We had to meet a large list of requirements, some legal and others more community orientated. We were considered by the panel and were awarded Quality Status on September 8th 2005.

We are only the second parish in Wycombe District to be granted this award and feel pleased that all our hard work has been recognised.

Cllr. Richard Pushman presenting Vicki Smith with the Quality Council Certificate on October 13th 2005