In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. Platinum Jubilee celebrations to mark the Queen’s historic 70-year reign will occur throughout the UK and the Commonwealth as part of a year-long programme of events.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is supporting a petition by the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) and Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) calling on the government and parliament to allow local (parish and town) councils to have the choice to meet remotely.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published its report on the 2021 local (parish and town) council elections.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has created a new network on climate emergencies.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new webpage dedicated to its national networks.
I want to wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year and take the opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for everything you do for your community.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has called the government to give local (parish and town) councils a multi-year exemption on council tax referendum principles.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has called for local (parish and town) councils to access the same funding initiatives to support place-based working as principal authorities.
AUTHOR: CLLR LILLIAN BURNS, MEMBER OF NALC'S SMALLER COUNCILS COMMITTEE
As statutory consultees, all parish councils spend excessive time considering and commenting upon planning applications (i.e. development planning).
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) offices will be closed from 24 December 2021 and will reopen on 4 January 2022.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has welcomed the government's plans not to extend council tax referendum principles to England's 10,000 local (parish and town) councils.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has opposed some of the government's proposals on burials in its consultation.
AUTHOR: RAFI ILIVITZKY, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT TRAILTALE
An exciting initiative of TrailTale has been to collaborate with different councils across Great Britain, to create exciting digital routes accessible by phone for both residents and tourists, to explore the local heritage and beautiful countryside, while also promoting local businesses on the high street to entice shoppers after the Covid-19 lockdowns. One of TrailTale’s most exciting and successful projects in 2021, has been working with Bolton Borough Council to promote the fascinating history of the different towns within the borough. Here is the journey to success, working with Bolton Borough Council.
Cllr Keith Stevens was elected as the new chair of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).
AUTHOR: DANIEL PURCHESE, CO-DIRECTOR AT BREAKTHROUGH COMMUNICATIONS
Local (parish and town) councils right across the country do amazing work. Most go way above and beyond what is expected of them by statute and provide a range of valuable services and facilities to the communities that they serve.
AUTHOR: TRACEY ROBBINS, HEAD OF UK DELIVERY AT EDEN PROJECT COMMUNITIES
After nearly two years of Lockdowns and restrictions and in the face of multiple global crises, local councils will know all too well that community spirit and resilience are needed now more than ever before. And yet, research carried out before The Big Lunch 2021 (the UK’s annual date to celebrate neighbours and community) showed that over half the population felt anxious, apprehensive, or scared about socialising without restrictions. 10 million people thought they’d forgotten how to have a proper conversation. Our communities needed coaxing out and permission and a reason to connect – and I’m pleased to say that The Big Lunch provided the perfect tonic.
Cllr Sue Baxter, chair of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) gave a keynote speech at today's (2 December 2021) Future Communities 2021 online conference.
ANDY HALL, CYBER INSURANCE SPECIALIST AT BHIB COUNCILS INSURANCE
With a significant increase in home working, it is essential to consider what security measures you have in place.
AUTHOR: DAVID HALL, DIRECTOR AT CLOUDY IT
Back in August (how long ago that now seems!), Microsoft 365 announced its first significant price rise for commercial users since the launch of Office 365 in June 2011. Those 10 years have seen huge changes in the platform, developing it from what many people then regarded as a set of worthy but unexciting programs for word-processing, data-crunching, email-sending and slide-presenting into an all-powerful software suite that’s been known as Microsoft 365 since 2017.
NEIL HOMER, DIRECTOR AT ONEILL HOMER LTD
Neighbourhood planning has come a long way in the last decade. Given its origins and untested introduction in 2011, it’s perhaps surprising that it has fared so well in the face of many challenges.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new suite of resources on young people, including a dedicated web page and a case study publication.
AUTHOR: JENEVIEVE TREADWELL, RESEARCHER AT ONWARD
Up and down the country, councillors and clerks are working with their communities to protect and improve the places they live. But they are doing so with one hand tied behind their back, with fewer powers and resources than other forms of local government. This system undercuts the impressive work that town and parish councils already do to help their communities take ownership of their place. It is time that we recognised their potential and gave them the powers and resources to take back control.
Today, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announces that Cllr Keith Stevens, East Sussex Association of Local Councils, has been elected as the new chair.
The University of Surrey’s Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES) has called on local (parish and town) councils to complete a survey on climate and ecological emergencies.
The new Civility and Respect Project set up by the Civility and Respect Working Group is supported by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales, the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations.
AUTHOR: JUSTIN GRIGGS, HEAD OF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS
In my house, ‘levelling up’ is best understood as meaning advancing from one level or skill or power to another. Especially by my eldest who like many twelve-year-olds loves gaming online with his cousins and friends. Shouting at the screen also seems to be part of the gaming experience, although I can’t recall Pacman, Space Invaders or Daley Thompson’s Decathlon being quite that intense.
AUTHOR: NICK PHILLIPS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION
It may seem odd to suggest that our future communities might be improved by looking at a housing model which has existed for 1,000 years. However, there is a lot to learn from a model which has had to adapt and change to survive hundreds of years of change and turmoil. Furthermore, as our recent research report shows, this model provides savings of £43m annually. Much of this is through the encouragement of companionship and reduced isolation. So what role could almshouses play in our future communities?
The chairs of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales (OVW) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) have published an open letter to all local (community, parish and town) councils in England and Wales.
AUTHOR: MARK TOMKINS, FOUNDER OF AUBERGINE
Looking back to look forward
Let’s look back to before the pandemic and the explosive use of digital communications by the Public Sector to reach its audience during the lockdowns.
A new report by the think tank Onward argues that the government’s planned reforms to “empower local leaders and communities” and “restore civic pride” in the forthcoming Levelling Up White Paper should not be limited to metro mayors and county deals, but also include a radical expansion of neighbourhood control through local (parish and town) councils.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) recently opened the nomination process for elections to leadership roles and committees.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has called on local (parish and town) councils to complete a survey on the role of business in place-based regeneration.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has endorsed the Local Government Association’s (LGA) call for evidence of abuse and intimidation of councillors survey.
AUTHOR: KATHERINE OWEN, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER AT BLACHERE ILLUMINATION
Blachere Illuminations have designed and manufactured illuminations, specialising in Christmas lighting, all over the world for over 45 years. Our vast expertise within the industry ensures we deliver a first-class experience for every client. In 2001, we established Blachere UK, and we are now the largest supplier of Christmas lighting in the UK.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is calling on local (parish and town) councils to have their say on the impact of fixed penalty notices on littering behaviour.
AUTHOR: ANDREW TAYLOR, GROUP PLANNING DIRECTOR AT COUNTRYSIDE
In the wake of the pandemic, we’re all considering what the next generation of neighbourhoods will look like and how will they meet the needs of the communities they are designed to serve. Our priorities have changed immeasurably, and as planners and developers, we are looking to respond in earnest.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has appointed a cross-party group of parliamentarians in its presidential roles at its Annual General Meeting on 26 October 2021.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to involve local (parish and town) councils in shaping Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) in their areas.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with Neil O'Brien MP, the new parliamentary under secretary of state for Levelling Up, The Union and Constitution at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published its new report on what can local councils do on climate change.
Professor of climate science, Chris Rapley OBE, will deliver a keynote speech on the climate crisis ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published a new guide on website accessibility and publishing guidelines.
Keynote speech by Cllr Sue Baxter, chair of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), to the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) National Conference 2021 in Hinckley on 13 October 2021.
On 7 September 2021, the prime minister announced plans to increase funding for health and social care over the next three years through a new levy based on National Insurance contributions (NICs) paid by employees, employers and the self-employed.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) revealed the winners of its 2021 Star Council Awards at an online ceremony on 8 October 2021.
NALC’s Star Council Awards ceremony will be taking place on 8 October 2021 at Noon.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Larger Councils Committee was briefed by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) on 21 September 2021.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to use the Comprehensive Spending Review and forthcoming levelling up and recovery white paper to help unlock and support local (parish and town) councils to level up and rebuild communities.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) opened Scribefest 2021 virtual conference with a keynote on levelling up and building back better.
