The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is asking local (parish and town) councils to submit planning case studies for a new planning publication as part of a new dedicated planning webpage.
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Author: Tracey Robbins, head of UK delivery at Eden Project Communities
This June, the third annual Month of Community will occur across the UK. We came together with a group of partners to start the initiative in 2021, recognising so many wonderful campaigns taking place around the same time of year. This includes The Big Lunch, our annual get-together for neighbours bringing communities across the UK together for friendship, food and fun on the first weekend in June.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC ) will co-host an event on 13 June 2023 with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) on the Community Ownership Fund following the announcement that it will be open to parish, town and community councils in England and Wales.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Smaller Councils Committee on 23 May 2023 agreed that the national agreement on terms and pay needs to be reviewed.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on making the planning system work for local councils, taking place on 22 November 2023.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) are helping develop the new Office for Local Government (OFLG).
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Larger Councils Committee on 18 May 2023 identified that the carer's allowance is a lobbying priority.
Author: Pete Davies, chief executive officer at Playing Out
Streets constitute the majority of public space in our villages and towns. To see them only as places to drive and park cars is to undervalue them. Streets can and should be places where people can sit, talk, read, play and walk.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on empowering young voices in your community, taking place on 25 October 2023.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to retain the central green planning role of local (parish and town) councils.
Local (parish and town) councils have benefitted from the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, which invests funding to level up facilities across the United Kingdom.
Author: Danielle Scott, solicitor and senior employment law adviser at WorkNest
An employee isn’t performing to the required standards. But are you dealing with a conduct or performance issue?
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with the Forestry Commission to highlight the role of the local (parish and town) council sector.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with Helen Morgan MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and Local Government, to discuss the sector's issues.
Author: Lee Cleaver, sales development account broker at BHIB Councils Insurance
In recent years the UK has been subject to extremely hot and dry weather, putting properties at greater risk of subsidence.
Subsidence happens when the ground under a property collapse or sinks lower. This uneven movement may result in structural damage, such as cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, which can be expensive to repair.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended Power to Change’s report launch on high streets and community business in Westminster on 10 May 2023.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Women councillors met on 10 May 2023 to discuss how to make the network more effective for councillors.
Emersons Green Town Council is looking for a deputy clerk & responsible finance officer to join their team.
The government's Community Ownership Fund has been extended to allow applications from local (parish and town) councils for the first time.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Climate emergency met on 4 May 2023.
Author: Mel Islin, physical activity programme manager, Rethink Mental Illness
It is widely known and accepted that physical activity is good for our physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. But often, people are isolated from activities or cannot find the right one.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) representatives spoke at the Committee Stage of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill on the new Infrastructure Levy.
The leadership teams of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) held their latest catch-up meeting at NALC’s new office in Bloomsbury, London, on 27 April 2023.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended The Rural Coalition meeting on 26 April 2023.
Author: Nikki Bugden, parish clerk at Nash Mills Parish Council
Why apply?
We all have reasons for applying for the NALC Local Council Award Scheme.
It might be that you want to evidence to your communities the standards that you adhere to as a council, it might be to maintain your own CPD, and it might just be that you are so proud of what you and your team have achieved that you want to receive sector approved accreditation to reflect it.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published an updated edition of The Good Councillor's guide to employment. The publication provides advice and information on crucial employment areas for councillors to improve their employees' work and benefit their communities.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on demystifying the role of local councillors, taking place on 26 July 2023.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) LGBT+ councillors national network appointed new co-champions at an online meeting on 24 April 2023.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on fighting climate change with local (parish and town) council action, which takes place on 24 May 2023.
The Smaller Authorities' Audit Appointments (SAAA), on 19 April 2023, announced its new board and published a report on the results of the auditor's work 2021/22.
Author: Iain Lynch, town clerk at Farnham Town Council
This week the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) launched its Star Council Awards 2023, the only awards in England that recognise local (parish and town) councils' contributions to their communities. The long-running awards celebrate local councils, councillors, young councillors, clerks, and county associations' positive impact on their communities. We look back at the 2021 Council of the Year winner, Farnham Town Council.
This week, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) urged the government to refrain from opening the floodgates with permitted development rights in response to the government's consultation.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has announced the latest Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) results.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is working with Cloudy Foundation Enterprise Academy to produce a new app to help NALC manage the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) administration.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) convened the National Employment Strategy Steering Group meeting on 17 April 2023.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the Co-operative Party Rural Commission Report launch on 17 April 2023, which calls for strengthening local (parish and town) councils to address the challenges rural communities face.
Authors: Kim Lowes, parish councillor and community pantry lead and Sophie Taylor, clerk and responsible finance officer at Coxhoe Parish Council
The parish of Coxhoe and Quarrington Hill is not alone in feeling tested by rising costs. As a parish council, we do our utmost to respond to the needs of residents, including taking a proactive approach to difficult financial times.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) call for evidence on the Infrastructure Levy after the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLHUC) issued a consultation.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) receives answers to written questions submitted to the House of Lords.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has announced a new partnership with GoCollaborate.
Author: Cllr David Francis, chair of NALC's Policy Committee
It is sometimes said that democracy can only be achieved through the ballot box and that making co-options is a failure of the democratic process. However, this need not be the case, and co-options can be a positive tool. Arguably, every local (parish and town) council benefit from having a mix of councillors drawn from various backgrounds. They are capable, enthusiastic, and engaged in reflecting on their communities.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) seeks panel members for its Local Council Awards Scheme.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) provided workstream updates to its National Assembly on 4 April 2023.
Pucklechurch Parish Council is surveying councillors with non-visible disabilities as part of a dissertation for the De Montfort University Community Engagement and Governance course.
Author: Daniel Purchese, co-director at Breakthrough Communications
As local (parish and town) councils are the closest level of government to their communities, it is essential for them to communicate effectively and strategically. In 2023, with the increasing reliance on technology and social media and the fact that councils are providing more services than ever, effective communication is essential in supporting effective governance.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Make A Change champion Cllr Anita Collier has been featured on Mumsnet.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) agreed at the Policy Committee meeting on 28 March 2023 to lobby the government on thresholds for local (parish and town) councils.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with Barclays last week to highlight the ongoing poor banking services local (parish and town) councils are experiencing, especially in rural areas.