Government shortlists beacons of good practice

More than 60 councils have been shortlisted for beacon council
status for demonstrating excellence in areas such as adoption,
neighbourhood renewal and tackling fuel poverty.

Bob Clarke, acting chairperson of the advisory panel on beacon
councils, announced that 77 applications from 63 authorities will
go forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Clarke said: “We continue to be impressed by the significant
number of councils demonstrating good practice and innovation in
local government, which has made it difficult to decide upon a
short list.”

The panel had to assess 130 applications from 94 councils in 11
key service areas to reach the shortlist. These areas included
promoting racial equality and crime reduction in rural areas.

The successful councils will be announced next April, and will
share their good practice with all councils through a series of
learning events.