ALCESTER is in the running to win the Local Council of the Year Award, 2022 – and it needs your vote!
Organised by the National Association of Local Councils the authority is one of just five authorities to make the final.
The winner will be decided by popular vote, and with a deadline of next Monday, August 22, time is running out.
“Obviously to win would be a fantastic pat on the back for all the council has achieved over the years,” said Town Councillor Mark Cargill, who at district level, is also chair of Stratford District Council.
“And we need the help of local residents as we are at a slight disadvantage compared to the other finalists as the decision is made by popular vote and we have a smaller population than the other towns.”
A citation on the National Association of Local Councils’ website lists in glowing terms all that Alcester has done, highlighting how it has focused on residents’ health over the last six years, hailing its creation of a health and wellbeing board with the vision and objective of developing a resilient community by building capacity and social networks, thereby reducing isolation and reinforcing a sense of belonging.
Alcester Town Council employs a health and wellbeing coordinator whose job is to partner with local organisations to create new services, activities, events, and projects that meet the needs of the community.
Funding has been sought, and relationships forged with both the private and public sectors to bring about the vision many community members have felt most passionate about.
The main projects this year have included Cook and Eat Your Tea, the Well Connected computer group, which Alcester Town Council supports alongside eight volunteers, the Repair Café Alcester which is also supported by Alcester Town Council, a weekly group for adults with learning and /or physical disabilities called The Crafty Lunch Club that is delivered with financial support from Alcester Town Council, the Gone Fishin fishing programme, Get A Move On fitness classes for the over 60s and a holiday lunch club funded by Alcester Town Council which provides hot lunches for local children.
The other finalists in the competition are Bridport in Dorset, Flitwick Town Council, Bedfordshire, Hatton Parish Council, Derbyshire, and Totnes Town Council, Devon,
The closing date for votes is August 22 – visit https://www.nalc.gov.uk/starcouncilawards to cast your vote.
