THE district’s smallest parish council is celebrating after achieving Quality Council Status.

The award was bestowed on Asheldham and Dengie Parish Council, which joins 693 parishes across the country to enjoy the status.

Quality Council Status is handed out by the National Association of Local Councils to reward small authorities that are well-run and adhere to financial regulations.

Councils are also judged on their ability to communicate with parishioners and interact with the local community.

Asheldham and Dengie, which caters for a population of just 237, is the only rural parish in the district to hold the status, although Maldon Town Council, South Woodham Ferrers Town Council and Danbury Parish Council, the latter two of which are in the Chelmsford administrative district, also possess the title of Quality Councils.

Adrian Fluker, chairman of the council said: “We have always promoted an open-door policy and it is not unusual to have several members of the public at meetings.

“We listen to the issues people are concerned with and react accordingly. We also have an up-to-date website, which is crammed full of information.

I am pleased to say that through constructive lobbying we have achieved some great results over the years.”