About the beacon scheme

The beacon scheme is an annual award scheme run for local government by the IDeA (Improvement and Development Agency) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) to recognise achievements and spread best practice in public service delivery.

Applications are invited across ten different themes, which change each year. They are designed to cut across the spectrum of service delivery and reflect current areas of concern or policy development. The themes are developed by Ministers and the beacon advisory panel in consultation with local government.

The idea of disseminating, sharing and spreading good practice is at the heart of the Beacon Scheme. Successful authorities receive funding to produce materials and events to share what they do with other authorities. The beacon award is active for a year, but authorities can to continue to publicise past beacons once their year is over.