News

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 published its quarterly activity report covering October to December 2023.

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.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has welcomed the government’s decision to exclude local (parish and town) councils from council tax referendum principles for the 2024/25 financial year.

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.

As part of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) growing HR and employment service, NALC has agreed with the Local Government Association (LGA) a 15% discount for the first year subscription to its Employer Link service.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has given evidence to a parliamentary committee conducting an inquiry on the Office for Local Government (OFLOG).

I want to start my latest open letter by wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. And to thank everyone who works in and with the local (parish and town) council sector for everything you did through last year to make a change in communities right across the country.

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.

Local (parish and town) councils nationwide have again successfully secured around £4.5 million from the Community Ownership Funds.  

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) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC)’s senior leadership teams met in London to discuss various issues of strategic significance to the sector. These included workforce development, audit and finance of local councils, and our respective work programmes for 2024.

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 online event on winning strategies for the funding game on 15 December 2023. 

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.

In response to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), the government has excluded local (town and parish) councils from council tax referendum principles in 2024/2025.  

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) proposals to develop and improve how committees function were approved by its National Assembly on 29 November 2023.  

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!

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announced its Star Council Awards winners at a dazzling ceremony held on 29 November 2023 at the prestigious House of Lords.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announced the results of its committee elections at the National Assembly meeting on 29 November 2023.

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. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to ensure broadband connectivity reaches all hard-to-reach rural areas.

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.

The National Associations of Local Councils (NALC) national network for super councils was encouraged to consider participating in the Corporate Peer Challenge.

Author: Daisy Petrow, communications officer at NALC

In September 2023, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the White Ribbon conference in Birmingham. White Ribbon’s mission is to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes. They work with men and boys to change long established harmful attitudes, systems and behaviours around masculinity that perpetuate inequality and violence. Their work is preventative; they want to stop violence before it starts.  

Author: UN Women

Violence against women and girls remains the most pervasive human rights violation in the world, affecting more than 1 in 3 women, a figure that has remained unchanged over the last decade. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) held a joint event on 16 November 2023 to discuss the current legislative status of Martyn's Law.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will head to Yate Town Council in Avon for its annual study tour as part of its good practices initiative. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) calls on larger and smaller local (parish and town) councils to vote for the Larger Councils Committee and Smaller Councils Committee elections.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) held a joint event on 14 November 2023 that explored the role of local councillors.

Author: Cllr James Gleave, board member at Transport Planning Society and councillor at Flitwick Town Council 

Anyone who is a councillor knows that one of the things that is most often raised by the public is transport. Whether it be the lack of local buses or the state of the roads – people often have a lot to say. You may think that transport and highways is the responsibility of your County Council, Unitary Authority, District Council, Borough or Combined Authority. But believe it or not, even local (parish and town) councils can do a lot to help make the transport system better and decarbonise it at the same time.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Young councillors met on 8 November 2023 to appoint its new co-chairs.

Author: Louise Marshall, senior public health fellow, and Bethan Page, public health speciality registrar, the Health Foundation

Thriving communities need all the right building blocks in place, including quality housing, stable jobs, a good education, and much more. Erosion of these building blocks causes instability in people's lives, reducing resilience to circumstances outside their control and increasing their risk of poor health.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on winning strategies for the funding game which takes place on 15 December 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published a new employment briefing on the national salary pay scales for clerks and other employees employed under the terms of the model contract or Green Book terms.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has unveiled its annual analysis of local precepting authorities' council tax levels, including local (parish and town) councils for the fiscal year 2023/24.

Author: Chris Mewse, managing director of Parish Online

I have always been passionate about using technology to create something new and useful. I used to build software and websites in my spare time and loved looking through maps and atlases (no wonder I ended up with this career!). I’m proud that over the last 14 years, my team and I have built a reputation for providing trustworthy digital services, namely our Parish Online mapping software.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an online event about empowering young voices in your community on 25 October 2023, which looked at how to engage with young people and involve them in local issues.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will speak at an event to explore how local (parish and town) councils can identify and plan action towards net zero and address nature depletion.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) reappointed Baroness Ros Scott of Needham Market as its president at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 24 October 2023.

Author: Sally-Ann Beaver at director of Utility Aid 

In recent years, we have all seen energy costs fluctuate significantly, making it difficult for local (parish and town) councils to budget accurately. This can be especially problematic for smaller councils that may not have large reserves to fall back on if unexpected energy costs arise. By fixing energy costs, councils can plan their budgets with more certainty and have greater control over their expenses.