Obtaining Beacon Status

In order to be awarded Beacon Status, there was a three tier process which all candidate councils had to follow. 

Firstly, each authority had to complete and submit an Application Form detailing the practice for which they were seeking Beacon status.  This document had to be submitted in June 2006.

A copy of the Application Brochure outlining the assessment criteria is attached:-

The next stage was in November 2006, when a small team of assessors visited each Council to meet the team and discuss their application in more detail.  The team were given the opportunity to give a brief presentation to the assessors detailing examples of their good practice in the electoral services field.  The team were supported by councillors, portfolio holders and agents, as well as other members of the council's support services.

Finally in January 2007, the team travelled to London to give a presentation and take part in a question and answer session with the assessors. 

The council was provided with an Assessment Form containing feedback from the judging panel, but it was not until the official Awards Ceremony that the announcement was made, as to whether or not we had achieved our target.