News

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DEC
02

NALC chairs speech to the Future Communities 2021 online conference

SUE

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.

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DEC
01

Cybersecurity — Keeping data safe

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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.

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NOV
30

It’s all app’ening with Microsoft 365   

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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.

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NOV
29

Local councils as community leaders

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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.

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NOV
29

NALC launches new suite of resources on young people

YOUNG

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.

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NOV
24

It is time to level up town and parish councils

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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.

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NOV
23

NALC announce the new chair

keith-stevens

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.

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NOV
23

The University Of Surrey seeks views on climate and ecological emergencies

CLIMATECHANGE

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.

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NOV
22

Dangers of using spreadsheets for managing parish, town and community council finances

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AUTHOR: JOHN FAGAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT SCRIBE


Did you know 88% of spreadsheets have errors?

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NOV
18

Updates from the Civility and Respect Working Group

respct

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.

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NOV
18

The Localism Act ten years on

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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.

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NOV
18

Expanding the provision on almshouses to improve our future communities

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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?

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NOV
16

Open letter from NALC, OVW and SLCC chairs

open-letter

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.

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NOV
16

Councils, websites & using digital communication – making the content accessible for everyone and adhering to the Transparency Code

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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.

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NOV
12

Onward report calls for levelling up to expand neighbourhood control through local councils

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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.

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NOV
10

NALC committee election update

ELECTIONS

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) recently opened the nomination process for elections to leadership roles and committees.

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NOV
04

NALC seeks views on place-based regeneration

views

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.

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NOV
03

NALC endorses LGA Civility in Public Life Call for evidence

respct

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.

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NOV
02

Blachere Illumination — Global leaders in eco-responsible lighting

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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.

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OCT
28

NALC calls on local councils to have a say on fixed penalty notices

penalty

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.

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OCT
27

Building Communities

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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.

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OCT
26

NALC appoints new cross-party president and vice-presidents

scott

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.

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OCT
26

NALC responds to the government’s Local Nature Recovery Strategies consultation

NATURE

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.

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OCT
26

NALC meets new levelling up minister

neil

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.

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OCT
25

NALC publishes new report on climate change

new-publication

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published its new report on what can local councils do on climate change.

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OCT
22

Climate science expert to speak at the NALC Annual General Meeting

CLIMATECHANGE

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).

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OCT
19

NALC publishes new guide on website accessibility

new-publication

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published a new guide on website accessibility and publishing guidelines.

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OCT
13

NALC speech at the SLCC National Conference 2021

slcc

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.

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OCT
12

NALC statement on compensatory funding for health and social care levy

statement

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.

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OCT
08

NALC announces the Star Council Awards 2021 winners

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) revealed the winners of its 2021 Star Council Awards at an online ceremony on 8 October 2021.

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OCT
06

How to watch the Star Council Awards 2021 ceremony

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NALC’s Star Council Awards ceremony will be taking place on 8 October 2021 at Noon.

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OCT
04

NALC's Larger Councils Committee gets briefed by the ombudsman

largers

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.

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OCT
01

NALC has urged the government to help and support local councils to level up and rebuild communities

MONEY

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.

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OCT
01

NALC opens Scribefest 2021

MEETING2

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) opened Scribefest 2021 virtual conference with a keynote on levelling up and building back better.

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SEP
30

NALC publishes the 2021 edition of Points of Light

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published the 2021 edition of Points of Light, highlighting the excellent work local (parish and town) councils have done to support their communities.

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SEP
24

NALC responds to the government's consultation on national resilience

resil

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has promoted the importance of local (parish and town) councils on national resilience in response to a government consultation.

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SEP
23

NALC highlights the growth of super councils in government consultation

AUDIT

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), in its response to the government's consultation on local audits, has highlighted the financial growth of the largest 72 super councils in England.

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SEP
22

NALC opens nominations for leadership elections

ELECTIONS

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has opened the nomination process for its leadership and committee elections.

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SEP
07

Borough councillors back creating a new council in Scarborough

scar

Scarborough Borough Council councillors backed a motion on the creation of a new town council in Scarborough.

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SEP
07

Internal Audit: Starts again once the External Audit is complete

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AUTHOR: ELEANOR GREENE, SECRETARY TO THE PARISH INTERNAL AUDITORS FORUM


Summer holidays are coming close, and the external auditors are getting through even the most complicated AGAR forms.

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SEP
07

NALC reveals online ceremony date for Star Council Awards 2021

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has announced that the Star Council Awards winners will be unveiled at an online ceremony on 8 October 2021 between 12.00 and 12.45 pm.

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SEP
06

Legendary Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE to speak at NALC conference

tanni

Legendary Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, now the newly elected president of the Local Government Association, is to speak at the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Future Communities 2021 online conference on 2 December 2021.

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SEP
01

The challenge of climate change for councils and what they can do about it

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RUAIRE GLACKIN, HEAD OF NET ZERO AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT AT UTILITY AID


Perhaps the greatest challenge of our generation is addressing the pace of climate change before it is too late. We all have a significant part to play in this and Councils are no different. The need to show leadership set examples and be a driving force in creating real and meaningful change is clear.

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AUG
27

NALC pushes for better customer service from high street banks

MONEY

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with UK Finance and senior high street bank officials this week to promote its campaign for better customer service and easier systems for local (parish and town) councils to use.

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AUG
26

Light a beacon for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

QUEEN

Local (parish and town) councils have been asked to play a part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee by lighting beacons on 2 June 2022.

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AUG
09

The implications of the post-COVID-19 and Brexit worlds for England’s parish and town councils — view from the town hall and beyond

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AUTHOR: DR GORDON MORRIS, HONORARY RESEARCH ASSOCIATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER


The implications of the post-COVID-19 and Brexit worlds for England’s town councils were explored in a recent paper by the writer. An online survey supported by telephone interviews elicited approximately 25,000 words of carefully considered opinions and suggestions from 123 councillors and 21 clerks from 78 councils (including the academics and policy professionals who contributed, 156 participants in all). The following is a snapshot of the findings.

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AUG
02

Your A-Z list of the UK's popular grant funders

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EMMA CURTIS, PARTNERSHIP MANAGER AT SCRIBE ACCOUNTS


The world of grant funding can be a mind-boggling minefield. However, with so many potential benefits it should not be seen as a hurdle, but as an opportunity to grab some free cash to bring your project ideas to life and create a valuable asset for your community.

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JUL
29

NALC holds the first meeting of new young councillors network

YOUTH

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held its first National Network: Young Councillors meeting on 26 July 2021, which featured three of England's youngest councillors.

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JUL
26

NALC announces Star Council Awards 2021 finalists

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has today announced who is in the running for the 2021 Star Council Awards.

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JUL
26

NALC add a new online event on levelling up the environment to its calendar

biodiversity

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has added a new online event on levelling up the environment through biodiversity net gain, taking place on 27 October 2021.

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