A GOVERNMENT minister has praised Chard Town Council for achieving Quality Council status.

MP Phil Woolas, minister for local government and community cohesion, spoke at the South West Conference of Local Council Associations at Taunton's County Ground on Tuesday.

Mr Woolas congratulated Chard town clerk John Furze after the council became only the eighth in Somerset to achieve the status.

Mr Furze said: "Achieving Quality Council status is a major milestone in Chard's development and it's always nice to know that central government in no lesser form than a minister of state is also aware of Chard and its achievement.

"In view of the impending review of local government reorganisation it is vital that national government recognises the value of local councils in building and maintaining community well-being."

The Government introduced Quality Council status in 2003 to make local authorities better represent their communities and to improve relationships with other councils and the community and voluntary sectors.

Authorities are tested on several areas including their council meetings, accounts and code of conduct before becoming a Quality Council.