News

1,000 local (parish and town) councils have signed up for the Civility and Respect Pledge.

Dr Paul Behrens joins the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) as a guest speaker for the first National Network: Climate emergency meeting of the year on 14 February 2023.

The Civility and Respect Project has launched a new suite of e-learning courses for local (parish and town) councils.

Author: Kate Groves, Marketing Manager, Eden Project Communities 

Following the recent announcement from Buckingham Palace, we are delighted to share that this year's Big Lunch will take place on 6-8 May, as part of the celebrations for the Coronation.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the House of Lords to make essential changes to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to ensure local (parish and town) councils play their part in levelling up and improving local communities.

Michael Gove MP confirmed on 7 February 2023 that local (parish and town) councils would not be subject to the council tax referendum principles in 2023/24.

The president of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), Baroness Scott of Needham Market, met in parliament with the faith and communities minister, Baroness Scott of Bybrook.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has joined the Better Planning Coalition. 

Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, parliamentary under secretary of state (Faith and Communities) at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has written to NALC's chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, about the King's Coronation and the vital role of local (parish and town) councils in the celebrations.

Author: Prishita Maheshwari-Aplin, digital mobilisation lead at Stonewall

Over a third of LGBTQ+ people still feel they have to hide who they are at work.

Last week, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) discussed the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in parliament.

This week, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) was invited to participate in a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) ministerial roundtable.

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) 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 parish and town councils in England for 2023/24 is £9.93. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with Mumsnet last week to discuss how they could help raise awareness of the Make A Change campaign.

Author: Eleanor Greene, Secretary to the Internal Audit Forum

Councils can be members of their county association and, thus, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC). This gives them access to resource materials, training, and support. Clerks and officers can be members of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), giving them access to resource materials, training, and support. Internal auditors can be members of the Internal Audit Forum (IAF).

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Policy Committee met on 24 January 2023 to discuss several topics, including councillor training, government consultations, local government finance and NALC campaigns.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) created a new dedicated webpage for the King’s Coronation. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has been advocating for the important role local (parish and town) councils have in reaching Net Zero.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announced today that they have partnered with the Internal Audit Forum. The partnership will see the two organisations working together to raise awareness and quality of internal audits for local councils.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has added a new online event on tackling the housing crisis the local way with custom and self-build homes, which takes place on 15 March 2023.

Author: Phillip Vincent, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)

Village Halls Week 2023 will celebrate how these volunteer-run rural community buildings support local residents, groups, and businesses, particularly during difficult times.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to give local (parish and town) councils a multi-year exemption from referendum principles on excessive council tax increases.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an informal National Assembly on 17 January 2023 to discuss the upcoming Coronation of His Majesty The King. The meeting was open to local (parish and town) councils and was well attended, with roughly 100 people joining the discussion.

Author: Michael King, chair of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

For nearly 50 years, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has had the power to investigate complaints about problems faced by people using all kinds of local services, from registering births to caring for our oldest residents.

Author: Jennie Thomas, chief officer and parish clerk at Stone Parish Council

Award schemes are generally used to support the credibility of a sector, help people feel their work is valued, improve morale, boost the profile, and solidify an organisation's reputation through third-party endorsement.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will hold its first in-person conference since 2019 on why professional standards and ethics matter.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has added a new online event on emergency planning, which takes place on 29 March 2023.

The Civility and Respect Project releases a new HR podcast to better explain local (parish and town) councils' responsibilities as employers regarding sickness and absence.

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

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and Parish Online have released a new publication on digital mapping systems for local (parish and town) councils.

The Civility and Respect Project has backed a new Early Day Motion on intimidation in community, parish and town councils, tabled in parliament by Dr Julian Lewis MP. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has welcomed government proposals not to set council tax referendum principles for England's 10,000 local (parish and town) councils for the financial year 2023/24.

On 8 March 2023, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will celebrate International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has joined civil society leaders to call on ministers to support the main recommendations of the House of Lords Committee Land Use report.

Throughout what has undoubtedly been a challenging year, I have been struck by how the first tier of local government – England's 10,000 local (parish and town) councils – has provided stability and support to our communities.

Author: Ruaire Glackin, head of net zero & energy management at Utility Aid 

With the cost of living and energy crisis affecting everyone, especially businesses and charities, one way to decrease costs is to reduce your energy consumption and look at ways to become greener with your usage. Not only can you save money, but by taking little steps, you help to look after our planet and can contribute towards the net zero goal.

The Civility and Respect Project team has revised the Local Government Association (LGA) Code of Conduct supporting guidance to better reflect the sector's needs.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has recently updated its materials for local (parish and town) councils making proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has added a new online event on social isolation and loneliness from the local council perspective, which takes place on 22 February 2023.

Author: Hannah Copeland, HR Business Partner at WorkNest

As people’s bills increase, so does the pressure on employers to offer some form of support.

The Civility and Respect Project releases a new HR podcast to better explain local (parish and town) councils' responsibilities as employers regarding appraisals.

Author: Lee​ Cleaver, sales development account broker at BHIB Councils Insurance

Almost every local (parish and town) council uses technology in their day-to-day operations — whether simply accessing emails or performing more complex tasks such as handling personal data.

Author: Tracey Robbins, head of UK Delivery at Eden Project Communities 

The Big Lunch, an Eden Project initiative, has been bringing neighbours together annually each June since 2009. This year was exceptional, as The Big Jubilee Lunch 2022 was part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

Today, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) supports White Ribbon Day. This is the International Day for eradicating violence against women, held annually on 25 November. The charity White Ribbon UK seeks to engage men and boys in violence prevention as part of the global White Ribbon movement.

Author: Cllr Kay Wesley, White Ribbon Champion for Congleton Town Council

What is Congleton doing and why?

Congleton Town Council has voted to become White Ribbon Accredited. The catalyst for this was a visit to Congleton by Chris Green OBE, the White Ribbon UK President, who was invited to speak at a public event organised by the Congleton Women’s Forum.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is to become a White Ribbon Accredited organisation.

The Civility and Respect Project has released two new HR podcasts to better explain local (parish and town) councils' responsibilities as employers.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to give local (parish and town) councils direct access to apply for levelling up funding.

Cllr Keith Stevens, chair of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), has responded to the Autumn Statement.

The November edition of the Civility and Respect newsletter is out now.