Under Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) stewardship the Saffron Walden Town Council has been recognised as the best of 300 councils in Essex.
The ‘Council of the Year’ is awarded annually by the Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC) to the best town or parish council in the county. At the recent awards ceremony Saffron Walden Town Council won the best council award. In making the award, a council’s operation and delivery is considered, including governance procedures, council structure, service delivery, efficiency and effectiveness.
R4U’s Cllr Arthur Coote, who is Saffron Walden Mayor, said “We are the number 1 out of about 300 councils in Essex! We previously won second best, so to take the best council award shows the officers, staff and your councillors have stepped it up again! We also scooped the Community Leadership award. The Town Council is honoured and immensely proud to receive these two further awards for our work.”
R4U-led SWTC receive 2 awards, including Best Council in Essex. Clockwise from top left: Cllr Richard Porch, Mayor Arthur Coote, Cllr Trilby Roberts, Deputy Mayor Richard Freeman, Lisa Courtney (Town Clerk), Claire Haddock (SWTC Bookings Manager), Luke Matthews (SWTC Operations)
Mayor Coote continued “The residents of Saffron Walden can really see the positive impact of our community and environmental programmes, which were recognised by EALC. The awards particularly noted our community engagement with residents; new paths, play and exercise equipment on the Common; the progress we’ve made on tackling Climate Change; and the work we’ve undertaken at Bridge End Gardens. A huge credit has to go to our outstanding Town Clerk, Lisa Courtney and her staff. She’s built a talented team who are working hard for our beautiful town.”
Last year the town council was awarded the second best in Essex. It also won awards for its playgrounds and running of the Tourist Information Service.