1. is representative of, and actively engages, all parts of its community, providing vision, identity and a sense of belonging;      
2. is effectively and properly managed;       
3. articulates the needs and wishes of its community;  
4. is committed to work in partnership with principal authorities and other public service agencies;   
5. in proportion to size and skills, delivers local services on behalf of principal authorities when this represents the best deal for the local community;  
6. works closely with voluntary groups in its community; 
7. gives leadership to work by the community on town or village plans;  
8. working with its partners, acts as an information point for local services.

In order to attain Quality Parish Status, a parish council must demonstrate that it has the attributes expected of a Quality Parish Council and has the ability and capacity to take on the enhanced role and responsibility that Quality Status will bring.
 Tests have been devised to measure these criteria and cover the following:
 1.Electoral Mandate,  2.Qualifications of the Clerk,  3.Council Meetings,  4.Communications  5.Annual Report  6.Accounts  7.Code of Conduct.
 Taken as a whole, the Tests exceed the statutory duties, with which all parish councils should comply as a matter of course, and represent standards which an  efficient, well-run parish council that actively engages with and works for its community should achieve.