News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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

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.

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.  

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.

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

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. 

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

Author: Jake Woodier, senior media and campaigns manager at The Climate Coalition 

Climate change and protecting our natural world is the greatest challenge of our time. It requires urgent and collaborative action from government through to local councils and our communities. While national and international efforts are crucial, there is great hope and belief in the change that takes place at the local level.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the Rural Insight Forum meeting on 23 June 2023, which focused on the government’s recent policy paper supporting growth and prosperity in rural areas.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) annual study tour returned for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic to Newport Pagnell Town Council in Buckinghamshire between 27 and 28 June 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on reconnecting communities through community transport on 27 March 2024.

Author: Nadoya Reid, communications officer at the National Association of Local Councils 

Since 2016, NALC's Star Council Awards Council of the Year winner 2022, Alcester Town Council (ATC), has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of its residents. By establishing a Health and Well-being Board, the council has fostered a resilient community by nurturing social networks and building capacity. ATC has been at the forefront of promoting a thriving and inclusive community by focusing on creating connections, reducing isolation, and enhancing a sense of belonging. This blog post explores the remarkable initiatives undertaken by Alcester Town Council to support the health and well-being of its residents.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media in the local council sector on 28 February 2024.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) showed its support to Whitstable’s campaign for a new town council at the campaigns public launch on 7 June 2023. 

Author: Stonewall

Whether you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally, whether you head up your organisation or you’re in an entry-level role, everybody should feel able to make their workplace a little more inclusive. Here, we’ll share five top tips for kickstarting LGBTQ+ inclusion at your organisation, regardless of shape or size.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Young councillors met on 7 June 2023 to discuss how to make the network more effective for councillors.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on how local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda, taking place on 31 January 2024.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is to attend the LGA Annual Conference 2023 to represent the interests of local (parish and town) councils.

Author: Jake Woodier of The Climate Coalition

Organised by The Climate Coalition, Great Big Green Week is a celebration of community action to address climate change and protect our natural world. Now in its third year, this nationwide event brings together communities and groups from across the country to showcase their efforts in safeguarding the planet. Local (parish and town) councils have a vital role to play in supporting and promoting Great Big Green Week alongside people from all walks of life that engage in the campaign. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attend the Rural Insight Forum meeting, held by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), on 26 May 2023.

This week, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) urged the government to ensure that local (parish and town) councils, with or without a made neighbourhood plan, receive proper receipts from the new Infrastructure Levy. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new online event on winning strategies for the funding game, taking place on 15 December 2023.

This week, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) urged the government to give local (parish and town) councils direct access to funding for the rollout of local electricity transmission infrastructure.

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.

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.