News

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SEP
20

The Great British Beach Clean 

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Author: Lauren Jones-Mullins, wildlife ecologist & beachwatch administrator at Marine Conservation Society


What do you think of when you hear the words ‘marine litter’? Rolling waves of plastic? Vast islands of waste in the middle of the ocean? Wildlife tangled in fishing net and eating plastic bags? Shocking images of the extent of pollution around the world have been brought into the public eye through Blue Planet 2, National Geographic, and even the Octonauts - but the reality is much closer to home. 

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SEP
18

NALC pushes local council hedgerow protection role 

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to simplify the rules to protect hedgerows and give local (parish and town) councils a more significant role. 

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SEP
18

NALC to attend party conferences

EVENT

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will attend party conferences throughout September and October 2023 to promote the local (parish and town) council sector.

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SEP
18

NALC helps secure amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has secured several amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill at last week's Report Stage in the House of Lords.

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SEP
14

Women councillors network discusses White Ribbon and the Civility and Respect Pledge

national network

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Women councillors met on 7 September 2023 to discuss the White Ribbon campaign, NALC’s White Ribbon accreditation and the Civility and Respect Pledge.

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SEP
13

Foundation Award — Starting the journey

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Author: Joanne Riddle, town clerk at Bingham Town Council 


After a challenging period of time for the council, the Local Council’s Award Scheme was considered as a positive way to provide residents reassurance that the council were not only meeting their responsibilities, but they were exceeding them and were striving to constantly improve. Staff know that the council meet the legal requirements expected of them and that they take their scrutiny role seriously, but after a negative time it can be difficult to change that view with the community.

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SEP
06

Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance 

JPAG

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. 

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SEP
06

Morecambe Town Council corporate peer challenge report published

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

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SEP
06

Royal British Legion launch network for councillors 

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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.

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SEP
06

NALC raises permitted development rights at the Rural Insight Forum

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

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SEP
05

NALC has released extra tickets for empowering young voices online event

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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.

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SEP
05

NALC meets with the UK's membership organisation for leisure-time music

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

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SEP
05

Local councils receive government and National Lottery funding

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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.

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SEP
05

NALC's young councillors network discusses how to support young people

national network

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.

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SEP
05

NALC partners with De Montfort University to conduct a local election survey

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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.

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AUG
30

LGA Independent Group: Why do parish councils matter? 

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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.

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AUG
29

NALC launches consultation to update the Model Financial Regulations

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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.

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AUG
29

DEFRA launches £2.5m Coronation Living Heritage Fund

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

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AUG
24

NALC publishes joint letter on Remembrance events

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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.

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AUG
23

NALC announces the latest Local Council Award Scheme results

LCAS

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

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AUG
23

NALC opens governance elections for committee members

ELECTIONS

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) on 23 August 2023 officially kicked off its governance elections, inviting its National Assembly members to elect the NALC chair, NALC vice-chairs and committee members.

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AUG
23

LGA Liberal Democrat Group: Why do parish councils matter?

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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.

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AUG
22

NALC's LGBT+ national network launches a new survey

national network

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) LGBT+ national network for councillors has launched a survey to help shape the network's future. 

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AUG
21

Local MP meets with Littleport Town Council to discuss youth provisions

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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.

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AUG
16

LGA Labour Group: Why do parish councils matter?

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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.

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AUG
16

NALC and LGA collaborate to boost the development of larger councils

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) have allied to enhance the capabilities and growth of local (parish and town) councils.

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AUG
16

NALC becomes a White Ribbon Accredited organisation

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has become a White Ribbon Accredited organisation for its commitment to ending men’s violence against women in the workplace and the local community.

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AUG
15

NALC to develop new planning guides 

planning

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) to develop new planning guides for local (parish and town) councils as part of its support package on housing and planning matters.

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AUG
10

NALC has released extra tickets for digital engagement online event

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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.

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AUG
09

NALC creates a new webpage dedicated to planning

planning

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.

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AUG
09

LGA Conservative Group: Why do parish councils matter?

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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. 

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AUG
02

Make a difference in climate change this International Youth Day

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Author: Jamie Sims, communications officer at Hope for the Future


For young people today, the climate and nature crisis is a central issue - one which has drawn many of us into engagement with the democratic system. This can be seen in the rapid global spread of school climate strikes. My own engagement with collective political action was in large part sparked by getting involved in a campaign for divestment from fossil fuel investments as a student. Of course, there are good reasons for this surge of interest in environmentalism among younger generations. We all have an interest in a livable and healthy planet and want to see our natural environment protected and restored.

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AUG
01

NALC holds an event to demystify the role of local councillors

Demystifying-the-role-of-local-councillors

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an online event about demystifying the role of local councillors on 26 July 2023, which looked at a local councillor's role and the crucial skillset they require.

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AUG
01

The government commits funding to Neighbourhood Planning Support Programme

finance

The government committed an additional £7.1 million to the Neighbourhood Planning Support Programme on 25 July 2023.

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JUL
31

Climate emergency network appoints new co-chair

climate change

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) national network on climate emergency appointed new co-chairs at its meeting on 27 July 2023.

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JUL
31

NALC submits written evidence on Martyn's Law

LEGISLATION

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has submitted written evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, which is undertaking pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Terrorism (Prevention of Premises) Bill.

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JUL
27

NALC moves closer to White Ribbon accreditation

women

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

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JUL
26

Visualising local Census 2021 data

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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. 

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JUL
25

Princess Royal opens parish council affordable housing development 

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Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, opened Kent-based Staple Parish Council's rural housing development on 18 July 2023. 

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JUL
25

New members join the Smaller Councils Committee

smaller-councils-committee

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

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JUL
21

NALC and the LGA to empower individuals to become local councillors

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) have launched a new online event on how you can be the voice of your community by standing for election as a local councillor.

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JUL
19

The Fidelity Fiduciary App

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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.  

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JUL
18

NALC represents local councils at the LGA Annual Conference 2023

EVENT

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.

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JUL
18

National Assembly supports NALC's strategic direction

national-assembly

The strategic direction of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) was backed by its National Assembly on 11 July 2023.

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JUL
14

House of Lords backs NALC's call for remote meeting powers

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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. 

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JUL
14

Great Dawley Town Council wins Gold award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

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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.

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JUL
12

Unlock the full potential of your Online Community Engagement

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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?

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JUL
11

NALC attends Net Zero Leicestershire event

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local Councils (LRALC) and Leicestershire County Council (LCC) annual Net Zero Leicestershire event on 3 July 2023.

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JUL
11

The Rural Coalition urges the government not to ignore 9.7 million rural votes 

rural

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has joined the other thirteen national organisations that comprise The Rural Coalition to urge the government not to ignore England's 9.7 million rural votes.

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JUL
07

NALC makes its online event recordings accessible to watch again

online events

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

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