THE future of Halstead Town Council is looking bright after it received a national award.

The National Association of Local Councils presented the council with the Local Council Award Scheme Foundation Level at a ceremony.

The award scheme is designed to encourage councils to improve, as well as promoting and recognising councils that are at the cutting edge of the sector.

Council clerk Sarah Greatorex said: “In terms of the future, the council is now preparing itself for the next level of the award scheme and reviewing ways in which it can continue to improve.

“Halstead Town Council and other local councils like it, are at the frontline of the Government’s localism agenda and are doing as much as they can to deliver services whilst being efficient and cost-effective.

“Currently the council provides a range of services from community events such as the annual torchlight procession and lights switch-on to advice on planning and support of local organisations, and wants to improve its community engagement through this.”

The council was also praised by Halstead MP James Cleverly.

He said: “I am really pleased that Halstead Town Council has been recognised in this award scheme.

“I am sure that with the strong sense of community and the council’s hard work, the town council will build on this success.”