UPDATED: 09 JANUARY 2012
QUEEN HONOURS NALC CHAIRMAN
The Queen has shone a spotlight on local (parish and town) councils by bestowing one of her New Year Honours on the chairman of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).
Cllr Michael Chater, who receives an OBE for services to local government, has been a parish councillor in Sussex for 17 years and has had a national profile as NALC's chairman since 2009. He has also served for over ten years representing local councils on the South East Regional Assembly, latterly as one of its vice chairs. Currently, he is a vice president of the West Sussex Association of Local Councils.
Lord Lytton, president of NALC, said: “I am delighted that Michael has received this accolade. It is a testament to his tireless work over many years promoting very local government nationally through NALC, as well as locally in his own patch in Sussex.
“As chairman of NALC, Michael's dedication to helping local councils make people’s lives better and his inspiring passion and leadership has led us and our local councils to continually develop and improve.
“Michael has helped us to continue to provide an authoritative voice for local councils, and he has become a powerful advocate for how our local councils make a real difference to their local areas."
Cllr Chater said: “When I heard I was to receive this honour, it was much to my surprise and I am absolutely thrilled. This has been bestowed in recognition of local councils at this historic moment. The moment when the role of first tier in local government has been advanced with extended powers as a result of the Royal Assent being given to the Localism Bill.
"Local councils can make such a difference to local people and communities. It has been my own honour to serve people at the local, county and regional levels and to champion the cause of first tier local government nationally.”