A mother of two has come out on top in a nationwide competition to find the Parish Council Clerk of the Year.

Lynne Rowett was nominated by members of Ulnes Walton Parish Council for the prestigious award that recognises outstanding achievement in grass roots local government.

The competition judged by an independent panel, was open to the 10,000 Parish and Town Councils across the country and the award was presented at the National Association of Local Councils Annual Conference in Cardiff on the 4 October 2003.

Lynne became a Parish Council clerk four years ago serving the community of Ulnes Walton, a rural Parish in the Chorley district of Lancashire with around 800 electors and she took to her new role like a duck to water.

Working in collaboration with a team of councillors, some with long experience and others quite new to the job, it wasn't long before things started to happen.  Local residents have greatly benefited from Lynne's skill in identifying sources of funding for local amenities.  Over the past couple of years the Parish has received over £13500 in grant aid to support local projects.

Amongst the initiatives that Lynne has been closely associated are: the production of a Parish Plan, a highly successful community Past Present and Future Day; painting competitions for the local schools, provision of much needed bus shelters; planting of bulbs in road side verges; hedging management for wildlife; initiatives with Wymott Prison workshops; and most recently getting Ulnes Walton put on the Ordnance Survey maps.

Lynne says, ‘This is only the beginning’, ‘in co-operation with a lively and enthusiastic set of councillors and a supportive electorate there is so much more that we can do. We’ve got Ulnes Walton on the map. We intend to keep it there!

Eileen Doran, Chairman of the Parish Council commented that it is a wonderful achievement and well deserved, Lynne has modernised the Parish Council and made its function more relevant for the community.

A profile of the Clerk Of The Year can be found here