Kesgrave Town Council – ATM Award Scheme Policy 2025

About this item

About this policy

This policy sets out how Kesgrave Town Council will run its Town Award & Recognition Scheme. The scheme is intended to celebrate civic pride, recognise unsung heroes, and encourage volunteering, while supporting the Council’s priorities (including biodiversity and conservation, community improvement, and youth engagement).

Eligibility

• Nominees must live, work, or volunteer in Kesgrave.
• Nominees cannot work for the Council, or be closely related to anyone who works for the Council, is a Councillor, or is a judge.
• The contribution being nominated should generally be from the year before nominations open (the scheme is not intended as a retrospective or lifetime achievement award).
• Nominations can only be made by Kesgrave residents or organisations based in Kesgrave.
• Councillors, Council staff, judges, and their close relatives cannot nominate.
• Self-nomination is not permitted.

Award categories

• Local Hero Award (18 or over): for volunteering (unpaid roles, service or community contribution), such as charity work, environmental work, or community leadership.
• Young Person of the Year (under 19): for volunteering or a special achievement (for example, academic or sporting).
• Council Chair’s Award: for a business, charity, or community group/organisation with a beneficial impact on the community, selected at the Chair’s sole discretion.

How to nominate

To keep the process accessible and fair, nominations will be accepted through an online form and by paper form available from the Council office, the MJH, the library and schools. Completed forms can be submitted by email, via the Council website, or by hard copy/post. Nominations will not be accepted via WhatsApp or other messaging apps.

The nomination must include the nominee and nominator’s name and contact details, the reason for nomination, examples of community contribution, and any supporting statements (as set out in the nomination form appendix).

Judging and selection

Judging is intended to be fair and trusted. A small panel will be made up of a Councillor, an officer and community representatives (and in future possibly past winners).

Judging will consider evidence provided in the nomination against these criteria:

• Positive impact on the community
• Commitment and dedication
• Alignment with Council priorities
• Inspiration and role model value
• Any adversity overcome (for example, disability)
• For Young Person of the Year special achievements: the level of achievement (for example, best in county or national selection)

The first two criteria carry greater weight (approximately 60%). Scoring is based solely on the evidence provided and multiple nominations for the same person or organisation do not receive undue weight.

Recognition and awards

The awards ceremony is intended to be held in conjunction with the Annual Town Meeting in April 2026 at the MJH. Recognition may include certificates and vouchers, and the Council may also consider a “Roll of Honour” for all nominees.

Timing and frequency

The scheme is planned as a pilot, with the intention of becoming an annual event if successful. The proposed timetable is: launch in January, nominations close at the end of February, up to three finalists in each category are shortlisted, then the Winner and Highly Commended (runner(s)-up) are announced at the Annual Town Meeting.

Budget and resources

Indicative costs include certificates, vouchers and refreshments. The policy includes a budget outline totalling £2,000, including vouchers and event costs. Staff time is required to manage nominations, organise judging, and manage event logistics.

Legal, data protection and safeguarding

• GDPR: nominee data must be handled securely, and publicity consent is to be managed through the nomination form, with consideration of consent from winners and commended nominees.
• Safeguarding: the Council’s safeguarding policy applies for young or vulnerable nominees.
• Equality Act 2010: the scheme should not inadvertently disadvantage any group.

Evaluation

After the pilot, the Council will review success using measures such as the number of nominations, feedback from nominees, nominators and judges, and resident reactions (including through social media). If continued, the review approach will be repeated after each cycle.

Policy approval date: 27 October 2025.