Quality parish and town councils are not only in a position to show their local communities that they are performing above national minimum standards but they are in a better position to influence the decision making process and/or take on additional services and areas of responsibility, from their principal local authorities.

1) Community benefits:  

• local people will know that the council will be well led and is accountable, visible and representative
  

• more responsive services - the Quality council will be capable of solving local problems with greater authority and have real ownership and control over services and decisions that effects local lives
  

• real contact and discussions with their Quality council
  

• a local access point providing information on services

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2) Benefits to the parish or town council itself:

• greater credibility in the eyes of the local community, voluntary and private sectors and principal local authorities
  

• greater civic pride
  

• more representative of the local community
  

• better ability to articulate the needs and wishes of the local community
  

• it will achieve more by working in partnership with other organisations
  

• able to demonstrate that it is effectively and properly managed which will install greater confidence in the community
  

• delivery of more local services - if the council wishes to
  

• greater involvement by the voluntary and community sector and principal local authorities, e.g. developing parish plans, market town health checks etc
  

• a better informed community
  

• a well trained clerk, through the Certificate in Local Council Administration (or University of Gloucestershire qualification in Local Policy)
  

• Possible more powers and funding in the future.

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3) Principal Authority benefit:

• reassurance that the Quality council has been independently assessed and is therefore capable of working with the principal authority and can deliver services on their behalf or in partnership
  

• reliable evidence of the competence of the Quality council, through the four year re-assessment process
  

• proof that the Quality council is willing and able to be fully involved in local issues (this will be particularly valuable when implementing new initiatives)
  

• stronger partnership working, with the town or parish council bringing their local perspective and experience to the table. Quality councils should be more innovative and pro-active, and will want to share their ideas and experiences
  

• increased confidence that the quality council is representative, competent, well managed and therefore capable of taking on and sustaining an enhanced role