News

The Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) met on 4 September 2023 to agree on its plans for updating the Practitioners Guide' for the 2024/25 financial year. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) have published their Corporate Peer Challenge report on Morecambe Town Council.

Author: Luke Lancaster, public affairs and campaigns officer for the Royal British Legion  

The Royal British Legion (RBL) recently launched Councillor Network. The aim is to enhance the support we provide to those who serve in local government. We welcome all elected representatives from every level of local government – including from local (town and parish) councils – to join.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) joined the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Rural Insight Forum on 25 August 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on empowering young voices in your community, which takes place on 25 October 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) on 23 August 2023 met with Making Music, the UK's membership organisation for leisure-time music.

Stroud Town Council in Gloucestershire and Swindon North Parish Council in Wiltshire received funding from the government and the National Lottery Community Fund as part of the Million Hours Fund.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Young councillors met on 31 August 2023 to discuss future network co-chairs, the support NALC can provide to young councillors, and creating a survey on the network.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and De Montfort University (DMU) have opened a survey for local (parish and town) councils and county associations on the 2023 local elections.

Author: Cllr Marianne Overton MBE, leader of the LGA Independent Group 

At a time when developments in digital technology mean that it’s possible to connect with friends and family located thousands of miles away in mere seconds, the importance of nourishing a local community and connecting neighbours has never been more important.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is working with The Parkinson Partnership LLP to update its 2019 Model Financial Regulations for England and Wales.

On 22 August 2023, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched the Coronation Living Heritage Fund for applications.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Royal British Legion (RBL) have published a joint letter to all councils regarding Remembrance events.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has announced the latest Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) results.  

Author: Cllr Joe Harris, leader of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group 

In the complex web of local governance in England, one of the most vital and often overlooked institutions is the humble parish or town council.

Member of Parliament (MP) for South East Cambridgeshire, Lucy Frazer MP, met with Littleport Town Council to explore ways of improving youth provision across the area.

Author: Cllr Shaun Davies, chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) and former leader of the LGA Labour Group 

Along with being a Leader of Telford and Wrekin Council and the LGA Labour Group, it's been my real honour to be elected to the local councils that serve my ward; Lawley and Overdale Parish Council since 2019 and the Great Dawley Town Council since 2007, and Chair since 2011. I know first-hand the importance of our parish, town and community councils.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on engaging with local communities through digital engagement, which takes place on 27 September 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has created a new section on its website to help local (parish and town) councils in their local engagement with the planning system.

Author: Cllr Izzi Seccombe OBE, former leader of the LGA Conservative Group

I am delighted to have the opportunity to submit this essay explaining why I believe that parish and town councils matter. I am also looking forward to engaging in a wider discussion on these issues with colleagues from the other LGA political groups at the fringe session NALC is organising at the LGA Conference on 5 July 2023. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has moved closer to becoming White Ribbon accredited after its steering group met on 25 July 2023.

Author: Jessica Bailey, deputy head of outreach and engagement, Office for National Statistics

Everyone benefits from the census. The data provided helps councils, charities and businesses plan and fund the local and national services we all rely on, wherever we live, across England and Wales. 

New members joined the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Smaller Councils Committee at a meeting on 18 July 2023.

Author: Jeremy Leggett, policy advisor at ACRE 

If Michael Banks in ‘Mary Poppins’, were to wisely invest his tuppence in The Bank today, he would not give it, face-to face, to a cashier. The transition from banks with a branch in every town, to banks that aspire to have apps in every pocket has taken little time at all.  

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) represented local (parish and town) councils at the Local Government Association Annual Conference between 4 and 6 July 2023.

The House of Lords has backed calls from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) for councils to be able to hold remote council meetings by voting to support an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. 

Great Dawley Town Council in Shropshire were recently awarded Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, becoming one of the first local (parish and town) councils to win such an award. The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same.

Author: Mark Luxton, digital community engagement lead at GoCollaborate 

With the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the face of community engagement has changed significantly. But are you optimising your online community engagement efforts effectively?

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has made its online event recordings freely available on its website.

Author: Jake Woodier, senior media and campaigns manager at The Climate Coalition 

Climate change and protecting our natural world is the greatest challenge of our time. It requires urgent and collaborative action from government through to local councils and our communities. While national and international efforts are crucial, there is great hope and belief in the change that takes place at the local level.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on reconnecting communities through community transport on 27 March 2024.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Young councillors met on 7 June 2023 to discuss how to make the network more effective for councillors.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on how local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda, taking place on 31 January 2024.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is to attend the LGA Annual Conference 2023 to represent the interests of local (parish and town) councils.

Author: Jake Woodier of The Climate Coalition

Organised by The Climate Coalition, Great Big Green Week is a celebration of community action to address climate change and protect our natural world. Now in its third year, this nationwide event brings together communities and groups from across the country to showcase their efforts in safeguarding the planet. Local (parish and town) councils have a vital role to play in supporting and promoting Great Big Green Week alongside people from all walks of life that engage in the campaign. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on winning strategies for the funding game, taking place on 15 December 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is asking local (parish and town) councils to submit planning case studies for a new planning publication as part of a new dedicated planning webpage.

Author: Tracey Robbins, head of UK delivery at Eden Project Communities

This June, the third annual Month of Community will occur across the UK. We came together with a group of partners to start the initiative in 2021, recognising so many wonderful campaigns taking place around the same time of year. This includes The Big Lunch, our annual get-together for neighbours bringing communities across the UK together for friendship, food and fun on the first weekend in June. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on making the planning system work for local councils, taking place on 22 November 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) are helping develop the new Office for Local Government (OFLG).

Author: Pete Davies, chief executive officer at Playing Out  

Streets constitute the majority of public space in our villages and towns. To see them only as places to drive and park cars is to undervalue them. Streets can and should be places where people can sit, talk, read, play and walk.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on empowering young voices in your community, taking place on 25 October 2023.

Author: Danielle Scott, solicitor and senior employment law adviser at WorkNest 

An employee isn’t performing to the required standards. But are you dealing with a conduct or performance issue?

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on engaging with local communities through digital engagement, taking place on 27 September 2023.

Author: Lee​ Cleaver, sales development account broker at BHIB Councils Insurance 

In recent years the UK has been subject to extremely hot and dry weather, putting properties at greater risk of subsidence.

Subsidence happens when the ground under a property collapse or sinks lower. This uneven movement may result in structural damage, such as cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, which can be expensive to repair.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held its first White Ribbon steering group meeting on 15 May 2023.