News

NALC has welcomed proposals to reform the rules governing parish polls but has called for additional measures to ensure costs are kept down.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has welcomed steps by the Government to update rules governing referendums on local issues but has warned against an increase in costs which could burden taxpayers and hike up council tax bills.

Media Watch is a weekly round-up of the latest major stories about the local (parish and town) council sector.

The Government has confirmed that it will continue to fund England's network of rural community councils.

National Association of Local Councils' (NALC) Larger Councils' Committee (LCC), has called this week for several changes to government legislation to give local (parish and town) councils a fairer deal.

The first of these changes is a call to remove the viability clause on affordable housing, from Section 106 of the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act.

Media Watch is a weekly round-up of the latest major stories about the local (parish and town) council sector.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) wishes to congratulate the most recent graduates of the Community Governance programme. Community Governance is one of the highest qualifications designed for people working in Local Councils, and is part of the National Training Strategy.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has announced that seven new town, parish and community councils have been set up, as part of its New Councils Programme that has been running since 2013.

The programme is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and follows changes in legislation in recent years that make it easier to set up Local Councils.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is supporting a national campaign to get as many people in the UK to register to vote ahead of May's general and local elections.

The National Association of Local Councils recently referred back to Government the Sevenoaks Town Council called for all parish and town...

Media Watch is a weekly round-up of the latest major stories about the local (parish and town) council sector.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has today launched its Local Council Award Scheme, supported by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) and developed following consultation with county associations and NALC's member councils.

The Government has published the final version of this Code which replaces the need for external audit for parish councils with turnover less than £25,000. The code will require the on-line publication of information which the Government says will provide taxpayers with a clear picture of the council's' activities, spending and governance and will improve the ability of communities to hold local public bodies to account.

Media Watch is a weekly round-up of the latest major stories about the local (parish and town) council sector.

Responding to the command paper 'Implications of Devolution for England' presented to Parliament by the First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, National Association of Local Councils (NALC) chairman, Cllr Ken Browse said: "Today's command paper on the implications of devolution for England is a welcome step forward in giving more power to local people and putting communities in control of their areas.

Media Watch is a weekly round-up of the latest major stories about the local (parish and town) council sector.

At long last the Government has published proposals to reform parish polls, following pressure by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) to update current rules which are over 40 years old.

Neighbourhood Planning Week (8-12 December 2014) is about celebrating the fantastic progress of neighbourhood planning so far. The week's events include opportunities to chat online via the Facebook page to Brandon Lewis, Minister for Planning and Housing. Get your questions on neighbourhood planning answered by the NP team at the Department of Communities and Local Government, and share your thoughts on the process and what you've learnt from being involved in neighbourhood planning.

National Association of Local Councils (NALC) in its evidence to the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Select Committee on Wednesday 3 December 2014 called for a broadband and digital only policy strategy that works for rural England.

Lakes Parish Council, with an office open to everyone four days a week, is located at the Police Station, Ambleside in the Lake District. The Council administers 52 square miles of fine countryside serving five communities (Ambleside, Grasmere, Rydal and Loughrigg, Troutbeck and Langdales) as a single parish council.

National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has produced a new Media Policy Example. This Media Policy Example has been produced in light of the national rules changing with regards to filming and recording at local (parish and town) council meetings. It is hoped that this new example will help show local councils how to respond effectively and positively to the new rules.

National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has reiterated its demand for devolution to parish councils in a letter to the Times, calling upon "central Government and party leaders to recognise that local government should be the vehicle for devolution in England".

National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) are pleased to advise that, following the agreement...

Saughall and Shotwick Park is a Parish to the North West of the City of Chester, Cheshire and is contained within Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

National Association of Local Councils (NALC) calls for new faces to stand for 2015 Election.

The Government has launched the Urban Community Energy Fund, giving community groups, including parish and town councils, in England the opportunity to bid for grants of up to £20,000, or loans of up to £130,000 to kick-start their projects.

Members of all three local government unions have voted to accept a two-year pay deal from the Local Government Association, resolving a dispute that had seen workers take strike action.

#OurDay is a 24-hour tweetathon aimed at raising the profile of the great work done every day by people working in councils and other public services.

Uppingham Town Council is heralded NALC 'Council of the Week' at a time when it is in the sector spotlight. A Judicial Review of its Neighbourhood Plan is taking place at the Planning Court in London, as housing developer Larkfeet is challenging its policies and proposals, despite the Plan having received a 92% YES vote.