News

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new suite of resources on young people, including a dedicated web page and a case study publication.

AUTHOR: JENEVIEVE TREADWELL, RESEARCHER AT ONWARD

Up and down the country, councillors and clerks are working with their communities to protect and improve the places they live. But they are doing so with one hand tied behind their back, with fewer powers and resources than other forms of local government. This system undercuts the impressive work that town and parish councils already do to help their communities take ownership of their place. It is time that we recognised their potential and gave them the powers and resources to take back control.

Today, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announces that Cllr Keith Stevens, East Sussex Association of Local Councils, has been elected as the new chair.

The University of Surrey’s Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES) has called on local (parish and town) councils to complete a survey on climate and ecological emergencies.

AUTHOR: JOHN FAGAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT SCRIBE

Did you know 88% of spreadsheets have errors?

The new Civility and Respect Project set up by the Civility and Respect Working Group is supported by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales, the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations.

AUTHOR: JUSTIN GRIGGS, HEAD OF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS

In my house, ‘levelling up’ is best understood as meaning advancing from one level or skill or power to another. Especially by my eldest who like many twelve-year-olds loves gaming online with his cousins and friends. Shouting at the screen also seems to be part of the gaming experience, although I can’t recall Pacman, Space Invaders or Daley Thompson’s Decathlon being quite that intense.

AUTHOR: NICK PHILLIPS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION

It may seem odd to suggest that our future communities might be improved by looking at a housing model which has existed for 1,000 years. However, there is a lot to learn from a model which has had to adapt and change to survive hundreds of years of change and turmoil. Furthermore, as our recent research report shows, this model provides savings of £43m annually. Much of this is through the encouragement of companionship and reduced isolation. So what role could almshouses play in our future communities?

The chairs of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales (OVW) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) have published an open letter to all local (community, parish and town) councils in England and Wales.

AUTHOR: MARK TOMKINS, FOUNDER OF AUBERGINE

Looking back to look forward

Let’s look back to before the pandemic and the explosive use of digital communications by the Public Sector to reach its audience during the lockdowns.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has called on local (parish and town) councils to complete a survey on the role of business in place-based regeneration.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has endorsed the Local Government Association’s (LGA) call for evidence of abuse and intimidation of councillors survey.

AUTHOR: KATHERINE OWEN, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER AT BLACHERE ILLUMINATION

Blachere Illuminations have designed and manufactured illuminations, specialising in Christmas lighting, all over the world for over 45 years. Our vast expertise within the industry ensures we deliver a first-class experience for every client. In 2001, we established Blachere UK, and we are now the largest supplier of Christmas lighting in the UK.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is calling on local (parish and town) councils to have their say on the impact of fixed penalty notices on littering behaviour.

AUTHOR: ANDREW TAYLOR, GROUP PLANNING DIRECTOR AT COUNTRYSIDE

In the wake of the pandemic, we’re all considering what the next generation of neighbourhoods will look like and how will they meet the needs of the communities they are designed to serve. Our priorities have changed immeasurably, and as planners and developers, we are looking to respond in earnest.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has appointed a cross-party group of parliamentarians in its presidential roles at its Annual General Meeting on 26 October 2021.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to involve local (parish and town) councils in shaping Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) in their areas.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with Neil O'Brien MP, the new parliamentary under secretary of state for Levelling Up, The Union and Constitution at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published its new report on what can local councils do on climate change.

Professor of climate science, Chris Rapley OBE, will deliver a keynote speech on the climate crisis ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published a new guide on website accessibility and publishing guidelines.

Keynote speech by Cllr Sue Baxter, chair of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), to the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) National Conference 2021 in Hinckley on 13 October 2021.

On 7 September 2021, the prime minister announced plans to increase funding for health and social care over the next three years through a new levy based on National Insurance contributions (NICs) paid by employees, employers and the self-employed.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) revealed the winners of its 2021 Star Council Awards at an online ceremony on 8 October 2021.

NALC’s Star Council Awards ceremony will be taking place on 8 October 2021 at Noon.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Larger Councils Committee was briefed by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) on 21 September 2021.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to use the Comprehensive Spending Review and forthcoming levelling up and recovery white paper to help unlock and support local (parish and town) councils to level up and rebuild communities.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) opened Scribefest 2021 virtual conference with a keynote on levelling up and building back better.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published the 2021 edition of Points of Light, highlighting the excellent work local (parish and town) councils have done to support their communities.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has promoted the importance of local (parish and town) councils on national resilience in response to a government consultation.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), in its response to the government's consultation on local audits, has highlighted the financial growth of the largest 72 super councils in England.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has opened the nomination process for its leadership and committee elections.

Scarborough Borough Council councillors backed a motion on the creation of a new town council in Scarborough.

AUTHOR: ELEANOR GREENE, SECRETARY TO THE PARISH INTERNAL AUDITORS FORUM

Summer holidays are coming close, and the external auditors are getting through even the most complicated AGAR forms.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has announced that the Star Council Awards winners will be unveiled at an online ceremony on 8 October 2021 between 12.00 and 12.45 pm.

Legendary Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, now the newly elected president of the Local Government Association, is to speak at the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Future Communities 2021 online conference on 2 December 2021.

RUAIRE GLACKIN, HEAD OF NET ZERO AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT AT UTILITY AID

Perhaps the greatest challenge of our generation is addressing the pace of climate change before it is too late. We all have a significant part to play in this and Councils are no different. The need to show leadership set examples and be a driving force in creating real and meaningful change is clear.

Local (parish and town) councils have been asked to play a part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee by lighting beacons on 2 June 2022.

AUTHOR: DR GORDON MORRIS, HONORARY RESEARCH ASSOCIATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER

The implications of the post-COVID-19 and Brexit worlds for England’s town councils were explored in a recent paper by the writer. An online survey supported by telephone interviews elicited approximately 25,000 words of carefully considered opinions and suggestions from 123 councillors and 21 clerks from 78 councils (including the academics and policy professionals who contributed, 156 participants in all). The following is a snapshot of the findings.

EMMA CURTIS, PARTNERSHIP MANAGER AT SCRIBE ACCOUNTS

The world of grant funding can be a mind-boggling minefield. However, with so many potential benefits it should not be seen as a hurdle, but as an opportunity to grab some free cash to bring your project ideas to life and create a valuable asset for your community.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held its first National Network: Young Councillors meeting on 26 July 2021, which featured three of England's youngest councillors.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has today announced who is in the running for the 2021 Star Council Awards.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has added a new online event on levelling up the environment through biodiversity net gain, taking place on 27 October 2021.

AUTHOR: LUKE PERKINS, PARTNERSHIPS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT BHIB COUNCILS INSURANCE

NALC’s insurance partner, BHIB Councils Insurance, have produced a detailed new guide aimed at providing council insurance and accounting information to new council clerks and councillors.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has today written to the planning minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP and to all MPs urging them to let the voice of local (parish and town) councils be listened to in the planning process and for local councils to be trusted with more powers.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched two surveys aimed at local (parish and town) councils and councillors on the 2021 local elections.

NALC held its first National Network: Women councillors meeting on 5 July 2021, which aims to help women councillors from across England's local (parish and town) councils to connect, learn, support and share good practices.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has added a new online event on making rural housing more affordable to its schedule, taking place on 17 November 2021.

Today, English Rural launched their new guide (Parish Councillors’ Guide to Rural Affordable Housing) aimed at local (parish and town) councillors on affordable rural housing.

The Civility and Respect Project Working Group agreed at its latest meeting on 28 June 2021 a joint statement committing to promote civility and respect in public life. The statement, which summarises the core aims and values for securing permanent change in the local (parish and town) council sector, reads: