Corsham Town Council has won the National Association of Local Councils’ Star Council Award 2025/26 for Climate Response of the Year.
Vice-Chair, Cllr Tina Ellis, and Environmental Project Officer, Garry Ford, were presented with the award at a special ceremony at the House of Lords on 24 February.
The Climate Response of the Year Award recognises councils running innovative projects that show an understanding of climate change and how its impact is being mitigated locally. To the judges, Corsham’s environmental goals were clear to see, with our Climate Action Plan setting out a pathway to being a net-zero organisation by 2030 and a Biodiversity Action Plan that has seen our volunteers contribute over 500 hours of support towards its key objectives. So far the volunteers have planted four orchards, created a wildlife pond, established five hedgerows, grown wildflowers and built dead hedges and bug hotels. These activities have strengthened local biodiversity while improving community wellbeing, engagement, and business links.
Our Active Travel Group organised a family bike ride last summer, with another planned for this year, while the community’s Bus Action Group secured an extension to the town bus service to include Saturday afternoons. We also host an annual community Eco Fair (18 April in 2026) to help encourage local climate action. Our partnership work with local groups, businesses, and organisations has resulted in community projects such as building over 50 bird and bat boxes, and commissioning a large Corsham-themed bug hotel for the church grounds.
Town Council Chair, Cllr Alan Brown said: “We are honoured to have won the Star Council Award for Climate Response of the Year. Minimising the town’s impact on climate change and protecting our natural environment is a key part of what we do as a Town Council, especially when we do it by working with the community, so we are delighted this has been recognised by NALC.”
Sarah Gibson MP said: “I am absolutely delighted to see Corsham Town Council recognised nationally for its outstanding leadership on climate and nature. Winning Climate Response of the Year is a tremendous achievement and a real testament to the council’s ambition and determination. Corsham Town Council has shown how partnership working, with local schools, volunteers, community groups and businesses, can deliver real and lasting change. I look forward to supporting their continued efforts to build an even greener Corsham.”
Many thanks to all of the volunteers and community partners who were key to delivering these projects, and to our success in achieving this award.
