§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advantages to parish councils and their communities will follow from an award of quality council status to that council. [145137]
§ Alun MichaelAchieving quality parish status demonstrates that a council has met certain minimum standards expected from an effective, representative and active parish council. The Council will then be in a position to do more for it"s communities on behalf of the principal local authorities thus making services more responsive to local needs. The main beneficiary of Quality status will be the local community as the Council takes on an enhanced role
As an integral part of all consultation arrangements set up by principal local authorities and other service providers on how services are delivered in its area;In the management, delivery and discussion about the future of services which parish councils may carry out and deliver, on behalf of the principal local authority; andIn the provision of access points to information on services of principal local authorities and other service providers.This enhanced role will be achieved through the negotiation of charters with principal local authorities. We shall be monitoring the development of these charters and the impact of the Quality Town and Parish Scheme to ensure it achieves real benefits, but at the level of anecdote there is evidence of real engagements and enthusiasm among parish Councils up and down the country. This is very encouraging.