Beacon Status is a government scheme aimed at rewarding excellence in local government - and enabling others to learn from best practice.
Beacon status is awarded to the best councils so that others can benefit from their experience.
The beacon scheme covers all areas of council business. The award will be based on transparent, open and fair selection criteria and will be made with the advice of an independent advisory panel. Each year Ministers will select the particular service or cross-cutting service areas for which beacon status will be awarded. The selection will focus on service and cross-cutting service areas which are important to local people and in particular on areas where the beacon scheme can help to raise standards. Beacon councils are good across the board and excellent in the service or cross-cutting service area for which beacon status is awarded.