Bridport Town Council is in the running for the prestigious ‘Council of the Year’ award, having been selected in a shortlist of five from some 9,000 in England.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) ‘Star Council’ Awards are the only awards in England that recognise local councils' contributions to their communities. The long-running awards celebrate the positive impact local councils, councillors, young councillors, clerks and county associations make on their communities. Whilst the shortlisting is carried out by a panel with a depth of knowledge of local councils, the winner – announced in October – will be chosen via a public vote.

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The shortlisting describes the Town Council as “…punching above its weight, delivering on par with some of the larger councils”, and highlights the extent of its local partnership working, the breadth of its service provision, its role in emergency responses to both Covid-19 and the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and innovation in community engagement including the Mayor’s weekly ‘blog’ and the introduction of virtual attendance at Council meetings. NALC describes the council as going “…above and beyond for the community in several ways, such as being the UK's only Rights Respecting Town to embed human rights within the community, declaring a climate emergency with an extensive action plan, and rescuing community facilities”.

Council Leader Cllr Dave Rickard said “We’re humbled and delighted to have been shortlisted for this highly valued award, and I think it reflects our determination to do everything we possibly can to support the community. It’s particularly pleasing, after two years of the pandemic and associated restrictions, that we are being recognised for our service provision, for our climate response work, and for our Covid-19 support to the community throughout that time.”

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Town Clerk Will Austin said “I’m very pleased for both our town councillors and our team of officers that we have been shortlisted; it reflects their huge commitment to the town. Naturally I’d love to see us win the award and am asking people to vote for us – we have the best of everything else in Bridport and West Bay, so why not the best council too! Voting is very simple – just go to http://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7DC6PK3, select Bridport Town Council, and press ‘Done’.”

Voting for the awards is open until 22 August.