Each year, ministers set ten themes relevant to issues faced by authorities every day. All best value authorities are invited to submit bids for recognition of their own local projects, services and achievements. Submissions are evaluated by an independent advisory panel. After ministers make the final decisions, a small number of authorities are awarded Beacon status.
Beacon status raises the profile of a council nationally and has a positive impact on how local people view their council and its employees.
In 2007 Leeds City Council was awarded Beacon status under the theme ‘Promoting financial inclusion and tackling over indebtedness’. This theme looks at enabling adults in low income households access to mainstream financial services such as banking and affordable credit.
Beacon status is granted to those councils that demonstrate a clear vision, excellent services and a willingness to innovate within a specific theme. Selected ‘Beacon’ authorities are urged to use their expertise to help other authorities improve. It is funded by Communities and Local Government, and run by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA ). Leeds was assessed as “outstanding”.
The Beacon application / feedback received and Beacon events are available as downloads on this page.
Regular updates of our activities will be posted on this page.
Links to other project pages