Epping Town Council has been honoured for going "above and beyond" to help people.
The authority was given a Quality Standard Award from the Essex Association of Local Councils, because it achieves good practice in "governance, community engagement and council improvement".
The town council received the Foundation award in March, but presented with it last Tuesday.
Town mayor Tony Church, speaking at the last town council meeting, said: "I would like to thank the town clerk and council staff for doing such a grand job to get us to that standard. We are really, really pleased."
Cllr Church and town clerk Beverley Rumsey received the award from councillor Peter Davey, the Essex Association of Local Councils vice-chairman and chairman of the association's accreditation panel, at the Essex Association of Local Councils AGM and Conference in Dunmow.
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