News

Chipping Campden Town Council is looking for a town clerk & responsible financial officer to join their team.

The National Association of Local Councils' (NALC) latest event on local government finance examines safeguarding local (parish and town) councils from prevalent financial threats anticipated to impact local government entities in the years ahead.

Chorleywood Parish Council is looking for a responsible financial officer to join their team.

Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) is seeking a chief executive officer to join their team.

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

Southborough Town Council is seeking a deputy town clerk to join their team.

Author: Trudy Ryall-Harvey, parish clerk at Ashton Hayes and Horton-cum-Peel Parish Council, Cheshire

Ashton Hayes and Horton-cum-Peel Parish Council represents a relatively small semi-rural parish of approximately 420 dwellings and 1300 residents, with a precept of £18,770.

Budleigh Salterton Town Council is seeking a town clerk to join their team.

Author: The Big Help Out team 

During the pandemic, millions of people volunteered to support each other through the most significant national crisis since the Second World War. This cemented volunteering as a core driver of connection.

Author: Darren Tilley, chief executive and town clerk at Braunstone Town Council

I’m often asked what I do and what local (parish and town) councils do? Along with local councils across the country, we are simply committed to achieving the best outcomes for our residents and our community. But what does that mean in practice? While we are not directly responsible for statutory services, the services, and facilities we provide are the foundation on which both community spirit and wellbeing is built and enhanced.

The National Associations of Local Councils (NALC) has unveiled its anticipated events schedule for the second half of the 2024/25 financial year.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) transport event on 27 March 2024 discussed the benefits of reconnecting communities through community transport.

Author: Kathryn Cousins, wellbeing programme manager, The Stress Management Society

Mental health impacts our mind and body. It affects how we think, feel, and behave in every aspect of life, both personal and in the workplace. It can feel challenging to break free from  the cyclical nature of poor mental health, as feeling stressed may result in being  unproductive, leading to a higher workload, resulting in overwhelm and ultimately more  pressure.

Haverhill Town Council will be the focal point of this year's Suffolk Day celebrations, having been chosen to host them.

Authors: Neil Kirkland, chief executive officer and finance director and Katerina Sukstul, head of platform delivery and engagement at GoCollaborate Limited 

Local (parish and town) councils across the UK play a pivotal role in shaping their communities through neighbourhood development plans (NDPs).  While national politics can have a significant ripple effect on these local planning initiatives, early and inclusive consultation offers a powerful tool to strengthen your NDP.  

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has welcomed The Carbon Literacy Project's new toolkit for local (parish and town) councils.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Young councillors met on 19 March 2024 to discuss the challenges of being a young councillor, annual parish meetings, and councillor allowances.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on reconnecting communities through community transport which takes place on 27 March 2024.

Author: Rebecca Lock, PR & media officer at Epilepsy Action

79 new people are diagnosed with epilepsy every day in the UK. That is three people every hour, and one every 18 minutes. In a week, more than 500 new people will be diagnosed on average. Every month, that’s around 2,500 people. 

Author: Phillip Vincent, public affairs and communications manager at ACRE

With scientific warnings of the climate crisis mounting and governments and international institutions scrabbling in search of grand solutions, it’s easy to feel powerless to act in the face of great threats to our way of life and that of future generations.

Today, 8 March 2024, marks International Women’s Day which commemorates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the empowerment of women in all spheres of life. 

Upton Parish Council is seeking a parish clerk and responsible financial officer to join their team.

Author: Hannah Stevens, chief executive officer at Elect Her

There are approximately 100,000 councillors in England, but only 39.2% of them are women, whilst women make up 51% of the population. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) coastal communities national network discussed coastal littering and King Charles III England Coast Path.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) chaired the Women in Local Government event by Dods Diversity & Inclusion on 28 February 2024.

Authors: Karen Gibbard, Sandra Lowe, Stephanie Palmer and Tim Willott from the Parish Council Domains Helper Team

As you may know, the cabinet office is working hard to support England's parish and town councils in moving to .gov.uk domains where they can conduct their business safely, more securely and efficiently.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Women councillors met on 29 January 2024 to discuss NALC's women councillors survey and bullying and harassment in the local (parish and town) council sector.

The National Association of Local Councils' (NALC) latest online event on 31 January 2024 highlighted how local (parish and town) councils could benefit from the levelling up agenda.

Author: Danielle Bird, financial director at Utility Aid

The financial world is very volatile at the moment and what that means is that a lot of decisions that I make along with the board of directors have an element of risk. One thing that I do not like is uncertainty. I sit with our leadership team every month to compare budget versus actual, to make sure we are meeting targets, and not overspending. I do this, not only because it’s part of my job but also because I hate the unexpected. I take pride in accurate forecasting and feel responsible for it when it’s not.

The National of Association of Local Councils (NALC) women councillor’s national network has launched a survey to help shape the network’s future.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has been featured on the latest podcast by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC).

Authors: Steve Besford-Foster, PlanSupport in association with Neil Kirkland, GoCollaborate Limited 

There has been a significant dip in the willingness of communities to engage since COVID. Some of this might be due to a fear of public meetings and mixing, but there’s a continuing strong element of cynicism about government and planning, which is having an impact on NDP engagement. There is also a growing recognition of what digital engagement can bring which many communities are looking to grasp.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has unveiled its much-anticipated events schedule for the first half of the 2024/25 financial year.

In response to numerous issues raised by local (parish and town) councils about high street banks, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new webpage to help address those concerns.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has notified the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) that the appropriate sum for section 137(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 (the 1972 Act) for local (parish and town) councils in England for 2024/25 is £10.81.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on how local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda which takes place on 31 January 2024.

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

With winter well and truly upon us, now is a good time for local (parish and town) councils to prepare for the worsening weather from a safety and risk management perspective. The winter weather can present many challenges, with roads, car parks, walkways, stairs/steps, bus shelters, playgrounds, and more becoming more hazardous due to ice and snow.

Author: Lucy Baker, consumer all IP director and Vicky Hicks, head of engagement, digital voice and gender equality network chair at BT Consumer 

The landline is here to stay, but the technology used to make calls is changing from analogue to digital as part of an industry-wide shift.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media in the local council sector which takes place on 28 February 2024.

Author: Barbara Eifler, chief executive of Making Music and chair of Make Music Day UK

It’s the simplest of concepts: anyone can create or host or perform in a music event on 21 June and be part of the world’s biggest DIY grassroots music festival.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has completed its leadership line-up for the next two years following the election of chairs and vice-chairs to its committees. 

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

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an introductory event on the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS), explaining why and how local (parish and town) can apply.

Author: Graham Duxbury, chief executive of Groundwork UK

Watching delegates fly in and out of COP 28 in Dubai over the last two weeks it’s been easy to get downhearted by how distant and difficult the discussions about tackling dangerous climate change are.  In the meantime, the power of nature to enhance or disrupt our lives has never been more evident.  Extreme weather battering our shores and causing real hardship in communities is making us finally understand what an unstable climate means.  At the same time, more and more of us are realising how being better connected with nature does wonders for our health and wellbeing.  As is so often the case, we don’t truly appreciate something until it’s gone.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the UK Finance parliamentary event on 5 December 2023 on raising the banking challenges local (parish and town) councils face.

The National Association of Local Councils has called for the Office for Local Government's (Oflog) remit to include England's 10,000 local (parish and town) councils. 

Author: Shar Roselman, town clerk at Newport Pagnell Town Council 

Join me as I reflect on the enlightening study tour held in June 2023. Let's explore the valuable benefits of study tours and dive into the extensive array of subjects that these tours can cover. Trust me, you will want to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the next one!

Author: Jess Allan, Science & Research Projects Manager at The Tree Council 

National Tree Week 2023 (25 Nov-3 Dec) marks fifty years since the ‘Plant a Tree in ‘73’ campaign, from which the annual week-long celebration of trees (and The Tree Council!) was born. The week is always a brilliant opportunity to come together and truly appreciate the trees around us that give us joy! The theme this year is ‘Grow a Tree in ‘23’, reflecting the continued love and care that trees need after planting – a crucial message for all of us. 

In a powerful display of solidarity, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has pledged its support for White Ribbon Day, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held its latest event on 22 November 2023, looking at how to make the planning system work for local (parish and town) councils.