IPM to Support the 2026 NALC Star Council Awards
The Institute of Place Management (IPM) is pleased to announce that it will be supporting this year’s National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Star Council Awards, which recognise the outstanding contribution of parish and town councils across England.
Ian Harvey, Head of IPM at Manchester Metropolitan University, has been invited to join the judging panel for the 2026 awards.
The Star Council Awards are the only awards programme in England dedicated exclusively to celebrating the achievements of parish and town councils, councillors, county associations and clerks. The awards recognise the vital role these organisations and individuals play in supporting their communities and delivering positive local change.
The announcement comes at an important moment for local government. As devolution gathers pace and the Government continues to promote place-based approaches to public service reform, there is growing recognition of the importance of local leadership and community governance.
At IPM, we have long argued that successful places are built through strong local partnerships, effective leadership and long-term stewardship. Through our work on place management, high streets, town centres, community governance and local economic development, we have seen first-hand the difference that committed local leaders can make.
Ian Harvey said:
“Parish and town councils play a vital role in shaping the places where people live, work and spend their time. They are often the closest tier of government to local communities and are uniquely placed to understand local priorities and respond to local needs.
As the Government continues to pursue a programme of devolution, there is an opportunity to strengthen the role of local communities in decision-making and recognise the importance of civic leadership in creating thriving and resilient places.
At IPM, we work with policymakers, local authorities, businesses and communities to understand what makes places successful. Supporting the Star Council Awards is a natural extension of that work, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to help recognise the exceptional work taking place across the parish and town council sector.”
The six award categories for 2026 are:
- Council of the Year
- Councillor of the Year
- Young Councillor of the Year
- Climate Response of the Year
- County Association of the Year
- Clerk of the Year
Nominations close on 25 September 2026, and the winners will be announced at the NALC Parliamentary Reception in the House of Lords on 23 February 2027.
The awards are open exclusively to parish and town councils, councillors, county associations and clerks across England.
IPM encourages colleagues and partners working with parish and town councils to consider submitting a nomination and helping to celebrate the innovation, dedication and leadership that exists across the sector.
