Council vying for Beacon status

A council has been recognised for excellence in a project to create affordable housing in rural villages.

Wealden District Council, in East Sussex, is one of 12 across England to be short-listed for Beacon Status.

Its Housing Our People (HOPE) scheme involves finding an acceptable way to create housing for people with different incomes.

Beacon councils act as centres of excellence from which other local authorities can learn.

We are looking forward to explaining to the Beacon Awards panel what success in this project will mean to Sussex villages Cllr Margaret Kirkpatrick, Wealdon District Council

Wealden's affordable housing team is currently explaining the benefits and opportunities of HOPE to residents of 22 parishes.

Councillor Margaret Kirkpatrick said: "I am very excited that this innovative project should be short-listed for a Beacon Award, bearing in mind the huge effort that has been put in by so many people.

"I am sure the constructive partnership with the parish councils has been very well received, and in no small measure is why the scheme has been noticed nationally.

"We are looking forward to explaining to the Beacon Awards panel what success in this project will mean to Sussex villages."

Last year 58 local authorities received Beacon status and were able to share an award of £3m to communicate the importance of their work and methods to other councils.

Wealden District Council was awarded Beacon status in 2000 for its CROWN recycling scheme.

The results of this year's award are expected to be announced in March 2005.