Up to 50 councils will be awarded Beacon status for demonstrating excellence in the themes for this year - from supporting local businesses and helping raise standards in education, to tackling drug problems and regenerating town centres. We want to pick the best and to encourage others to learn from them. By applying for Beacon status, councils can seek recognition for their own performance and help to raise standards across the country. The first year of the Beacon scheme has been a tremendous success, roadshows and open days hosted by the beacon councils have been very well attended.
Councils are clearly ready and willing to learn from others on how to deliver services better.
Many councils told us last year that putting together their applications was itself a valuable exercise in joint working. I am looking forward to seeing another strong field of applications this year. The Beacon councils scheme demonstrates examples of good practice from local authorities across the country. We are delighted by the breadth of the new themes, and are confident that local authorities will once again rise to the challenge of being pace setters and centres of excellence. In such a time of change for local government it is vital that we share and learn from the good practice of those selected as the best in their fields.