AUTHOR: CLLR LILLIAN BURNS, MEMBER OF NALC'S SMALLER COUNCILS COMMITTEE

As statutory consultees, all parish councils spend excessive time considering and commenting upon planning applications (i.e. development planning).

AUTHOR: RAFI ILIVITZKY, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT TRAILTALE

An exciting initiative of TrailTale has been to collaborate with different councils across Great Britain, to create exciting digital routes accessible by phone for both residents and tourists, to explore the local heritage and beautiful countryside, while also promoting local businesses on the high street to entice shoppers after the Covid-19 lockdowns. One of TrailTale’s most exciting and successful projects in 2021, has been working with Bolton Borough Council to promote the fascinating history of the different towns within the borough. Here is the journey to success, working with Bolton Borough Council.

AUTHOR: DANIEL PURCHESE, CO-DIRECTOR AT BREAKTHROUGH COMMUNICATIONS

Local (parish and town) councils right across the country do amazing work. Most go way above and beyond what is expected of them by statute and provide a range of valuable services and facilities to the communities that they serve.

AUTHOR: TRACEY ROBBINS, HEAD OF UK DELIVERY AT EDEN PROJECT COMMUNITIES

After nearly two years of Lockdowns and restrictions and in the face of multiple global crises, local councils will know all too well that community spirit and resilience are needed now more than ever before. And yet, research carried out before The Big Lunch 2021 (the UK’s annual date to celebrate neighbours and community) showed that over half the population felt anxious, apprehensive, or scared about socialising without restrictions. 10 million people thought they’d forgotten how to have a proper conversation. Our communities needed coaxing out and permission and a reason to connect – and I’m pleased to say that The Big Lunch provided the perfect tonic.

ANDY HALL, CYBER INSURANCE SPECIALIST AT BHIB COUNCILS INSURANCE

With a significant increase in home working, it is essential to consider what security measures you have in place.

AUTHOR: DAVID HALL, DIRECTOR AT CLOUDY IT

Back in August (how long ago that now seems!), Microsoft 365 announced its first significant price rise for commercial users since the launch of Office 365 in June 2011. Those 10 years have seen huge changes in the platform, developing it from what many people then regarded as a set of worthy but unexciting programs for word-processing, data-crunching, email-sending and slide-presenting into an all-powerful software suite that’s been known as Microsoft 365 since 2017.