CHARTER MARK

In 1996 Rainhill Parish Council became the first Parish Council in the United Kingdom to be awarded the prestigious Government Charter Mark. A Charter Mark is the highest Government honour that can be awarded to a public body and indicates that the organisation is providing a level of service judged to be excellent. The Parish Council was also the smallest organisation to have been awarded a Charter Mark.

When granting a subsequent renewal of the Charter Mark, the Charter Mark judging panel indicated that Rainhill Parish Council provided a level of service well beyond that which could be expected from an organisation with an annual budget of £45,000. The Parish Councillors were given special mention for their sense of duty and commitment to preserving the heritage of Rainhill. The Parish Clerk was also commended for his professionalism and resourcefulness in assisting the Councillors to provide a quality value for money service. Praise was also given for the partnership arrangements with St Helens Council.

The Charter Mark scheme will offically close on 30th June 2011 and will be replaced by the Customer Service Excellence scheme. Rainhill Parish Council has taken the decision not to take part in the replacement scheme or in any similar scheme. However the Parish Clerk and Councillors will continue to work together in maintaining and building on the quality principles already established and ingrained in the day to day work of the Council.