HARD-WORKING Haddenham parish councillors are celebrating after being awarded Quality Status. The award, which proves to villages that the council is capable of operating in an ethical way and effectively representing their interests, took two years to a

HARD-WORKING Haddenham parish councillors are celebrating after being awarded Quality

Status.

The award, which proves to villages that the council is capable of operating in an ethical way and effectively representing their interests, took two years to achieve.

It is part of a Government initiative, The Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme, which came from a White Paper on rural

issues.

The journey towards gaining Quality Status started when parish clerk, Jenny Manning, gained her certificate in Local Council Administration after undertaking a comprehensive course and completing a successful portfolio to gain the qualification.

Over the following 18 months, the council demonstrated that it complied with criteria set out in seven tests to prove that:

# At least 80 per cent of its membership was elected at the last election.

# The clerk was qualified.

# Regular council meetings were held, properly advertised and minutes available for inspection.

# The council communicated with its parishioners by various means such as regular newsletters, public meetings and consultations.

# An annual report is produced and published.

# It was accountable for all financial aspects.

# All councillors have agreed to abide by the code of conduct set out in the Local Government Act 2000.

An official presentation of the Quality Certificate will be made by East Cambridgeshire District Council chairman, Cllr Richard Hobbs, at the next parish council meeting on Wednesday, December 13.