News

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

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.

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

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.

Stapleford Town Council is seeking a town clerk & responsible financial officer to join their team.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Cockermouth Town Council is seeking a town clerk & responsible financial officer to join their team. 

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.