NALC Star Council Awards Celebrate Excellence

Parish and town councils from across England were honoured at the NALC 2026 Star Council Awards, held on 24 February at the prestigious House of Lords.

The ceremony brought together councillors, clerks, MPs, parliamentarians, academics and national stakeholders to celebrate the innovation, leadership and dedication shown by local councils in supporting their communities.

Now firmly established as a flagship occasion for the sector, the Star Council Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of parish and town councils, the first tier of local government and often the most immediate and accessible level of democratic representation.

Guests heard speeches from NALC Vice-President Natalie Bennett and Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Chair of the Local Government Association, both of whom praised the vital role parish and town councils play in strengthening local democracy and delivering practical support to communities.

2026 Star Council Award winners

• Council of the Year — Oswestry Town Council (Shropshire)
• Councillor of the Year — Cllr Jonathan Dryland, North Cerney Parish Council (Gloucestershire)
• Young Councillor of the Year — Cllr Connor Mulhall, Wetherby Town Council (Yorkshire)
• Climate Response of the Year — Corsham Town Council (Wiltshire)
• County Association of the Year — Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils
• Clerk of the Year — Sarah Haydon, Biddulph Town Council (Staffordshire)

The awards are supported by Clear Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Cloudy IT, Civic.ly, Unity Trust Bank and Utility Aid.

Cllr Iain Hamilton, NALC Chair, said:

Congratulations to all the winners of the Star Council Awards. Your commitment to local governance and to the people you serve is both evident and inspiring. Through inclusive leadership, forward-thinking initiatives and tireless dedication, you have delivered tangible, lasting benefits for your communities. You exemplify the very best of local government: accountable, innovative and rooted in service. Today we recognise not only your achievements, but the integrity, resilience and collaboration that underpin them. Thank you for raising the bar and for demonstrating what effective local democracy looks like in action.

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, who served as a judge for the awards, added: It was a privilege to serve on the judging panel and to see first-hand the depth of commitment, creativity and determination within parish and town councils. In rural areas especially, these councils are often at the heart of community life, stepping in, innovating and leading where others cannot. The quality of nominations this year was exceptional, and every finalist should be immensely proud.