It’s official, Frome is the star town!

Frome Town Council was awarded ‘Council of the Year’ after fighting off nominations from a pool of 9,000 councils across the country.

The Council of the Year award was part of the National Association of Local Councils’ (NALC)  first ever Star Council awards. Frome was one of three finalists alongside councils from Oswestry, Shropshire, and Campbell Park, Buckinghamshire.

Mayor, cllr Kate Bielby said, “This is great news and a testament to the hard work of all staff and councillors in recent years – but most of all, these awards belong to the people of Frome. I think we knew already but the word is spreading that we live in a very special town.”

The Star Council awards are a recognition of the effective hard work carried out by town and parish councils with their communities.

The judges were particularly impressed by how Frome Town Council has rethought its role from top to bottom, and has placed great emphasis on working with the community and local organisations.

Frome was also awarded runner-up in the ‘Council Project of the Year’ award, for its creation of the post of energy and recycling officer, which is currently held by Anna Francis.

Councillor Bielby continued, “To be awarded two national prizes is brilliant; the project of the year award acknowledges the success of our unique energy and recycling project that is now entering its third year.

“This project has brought in over £90,000 to the area for a range of activities including a not-for-profit car club, the SHARE shop and support for local schools to cut energy costs and carbon.”

Mel Usher, leader of the council for four years until May and who represented the town at the ceremony said, “Winning awards is one thing, but to be considered special by our peers makes this one extra special. We all know we don’t always get things right, but obviously we are getting some things right.”