Press Archive

Calor Suffolk Village of the Year Awards – Parish Council of 2005

Layham Parish Council wins the title of Parish Council of the Year 2005.

The Chairman of the SALC Executive, Councillor John Hurn, judged the Village of the Year entries for the Parish Council of the Year. Layham Parish Council was awarded the Tony Ward Gavel for 2005. Each year Councillor Tony Ward MBE designs and makes a beautiful gavel from local wood, it will be inscribed for Layham Parish Council.

Councillor Hurn commented: -

“Layham PC was an example of excellence; the PC agendas were well planned and gave councillors and the public clear information about what was to be discussed. The minutes were professional with enough detail of decisions and action to be taken without being overlong. It was as a result of entering the Calor Suffolk Village of the Year that the council supported a very successful Parish Plan and councillors now have a very clear vision of what Layham residents want to be doing in the future”.

Councillor Michael Woods, who helped the Council Clerk prepare the entry said:

“We realised last time we entered for the Calor Suffolk Village of the Year Awards that a parish plan would give us a much greater sense of purpose. We went through that process and are proud to have been recognised for doing what parish councils do best – that is, working to meet the clearly identified needs and expectations of the local community.”

Mary Mitson-Woods, Chief Executive of SALC said:

“Parish and town councils are the tier of government closest to the people and it is easy for residents to communicate their wishes to them. Councils are looking forward to playing a greater role in their communities as more gain their Quality Parish Council status. An expert in the sector, who knows what the important elements are in good local government, judges the Awards and it was a difficult decision to make as the entries were all of a very high standard. I am delighted for Layham, it is a council that is forward thinking and committed to the needs of everyone in the village and I know how much dedication and hard work goes into this sort of success”.

Contacts

Mary Mitson-Woods, SALC 01473 833713

Councillor Michael Woods, Layham PC 01473 823798