All best value authorities can apply to become a beacon; the final decision is made by government ministers - based on recommendations by an independent advisory panel.
Beacon status is granted to those authorities who can demonstrate a clear vision, excellent services and a willingness to innovate within a specific theme; however, to obtain beacon status, applicants must demonstrate that they have good overall performance, and not just in the service area for which beacon status is awarded.
The scheme is voluntary, and each year more authorities try the beacon challenge by applying or measuring themselves against beacon councils and by taking part in various dissemination activities.
The scheme is important because it focuses on the delivery of excellent services to local people. It also places a strong emphasis on the connection between good and frontline delivery and a good corporate centre. Successfully linking the two is an essential component in efficient service delivery.
The scheme has succeeded in spreading knowledge, enabling learning and helping local authorities on the road to improvement. The Places and Partnerships Team will use the beacon support process to share learning and development in the region.
Round Nine Beacon authorities are now in the process of disseminating their good practice. These authorities were awarded Beacon status on 4 March 2008 and their status continues until the end of July 2009:
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Better, Brighter Futures
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Cumbria County Council |
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Dignity in Care
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Warrington Borough Council |
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Improving Accessibility |
Lancashire County Council
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Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority (Lead)
Joint with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Liverpool City Council; Sefton Metrpolitan Borough Council; St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council; Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council; Halton Borough Council
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Reducing Health Inequalities
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Merseyside Fire and Rescue |
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Reducing Re-offending
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Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council |
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Transforming services: citizen engagement and empowerment |
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
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Chorley Borough Council
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Themes for Round 10 of the Beacon Scheme are:
· After dark: managing the night time economy
· Digital inclusion: tackling exclusion and promoting life chances
· Cohesive and resilient communities
· Homes for the future
· Cutting red tape: delivering real economic and social benefit through better local regulation
· Olympic Games and Paralympics Games Legacy: using the opportunity of hosting the Games to encourage communities to be more active
· Positive engagement of older people to support and promote greater independence and wellbeing in later life
· Preventing and tackling child poverty
· Strategic commissioning
· Supporting independent living for disabled adults
· Raising economic prosperity through partnership
· Better outcomes for people and places
Authorities can apply via the IDeA website
