Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has once more been recognised as one of the best performing local authorities in Leicestershire.

The Council has been re-accredited for "Quality Gold" status in the Local Council Award Scheme following the presentation of the official certificate at the Town Council meeting on Monday, January 24, by Kristy Ball, the Team Leader of the Communities Team at Leicestershire County Council.

Town Council leader, Cllr John Coxon, expressed his delight today (Monday) at its success.

Cllr Coxon said: "I am delighted that the hard work of the Town Council has been recognised with its successful re-accreditation for the highest award under the Local Council Award Scheme.

"The purpose of the scheme is to provide the Town Council with benchmark minimum standards.

"It is designed to allow us to test ourselves against good practice benchmarks.

"Our successful re-accreditation shows that the Town Council meets these exacting standards and demonstrates to the local community and our partners that we are able to deliver efficient services."

In order to meet the requirements of the Quality Gold Local Council Award Scheme, the Town Council passed a number of specified quality tests.

These included:

• The publication of an Annual Report;

• The preparation of accounts in line with the Accounts and Audit Regulations;

• Effective communication and consultation with the local community;

• Electoral mandate requirement – all seats on the Town Council being filled by election;

• A fully qualified Town Clerk;

• The adoption of and compliance with a Code of Conduct for Town Councillors;

• Regular, well-attended Town Council meetings which include an opportunity for public participation.

The Quality Gold Award demonstrates that a council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council says it is proud to be one of only two Parish/Town Councils in Leicestershire which have achieved the Quality Gold Award - and the only Town Council to have done so.

Councillor Coxon added: "Ashby de la Zouch Town Council does its job with a mark of quality that puts it at the top of the class when it comes to serving the community.

"The proof is Quality Gold Town Council Status, an award that recognises the way the Town Council demonstrates its ability to operate effectively, achieves high standards and plays a strong role in getting behind the local community to make Ashby a better place to live and work."

Kristy Ball, in presenting the award, said: "Ashby Town Council is only the second of the 195 local councils across Leicestershire and Rutland to be awarded Quality Gold, and the fact that your council has met and often exceeded the rigorous criteria specified at this level is a great achievement.

"As one of the largest and most active of the county's town and parish councils, it's excellent to see the council visibly demonstrating leadership in the field of excellence through its commitment to the Local Council Award Scheme."