News

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FEB
02

NABMA honours outstanding local councils in market awards

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Local (parish and town councils) were honoured by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) at an award ceremony recognising outstanding markets on 25 January 2024.  

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FEB
01

NALC event highlights how local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda

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The National Association of Local Councils' (NALC) latest online event on 31 January 2024 highlighted how local (parish and town) councils could benefit from the levelling up agenda.

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JAN
31

Risk management

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Author: Danielle Bird, financial director at Utility Aid


The financial world is very volatile at the moment and what that means is that a lot of decisions that I make along with the board of directors have an element of risk. One thing that I do not like is uncertainty. I sit with our leadership team every month to compare budget versus actual, to make sure we are meeting targets, and not overspending. I do this, not only because it’s part of my job but also because I hate the unexpected. I take pride in accurate forecasting and feel responsible for it when it’s not.

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JAN
26

NALC’s women councillors national network launches a new survey

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The National of Association of Local Councils (NALC) women councillor’s national network has launched a survey to help shape the network’s future.

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JAN
24

NALC feature on the latest SLCC podcast

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has been featured on the latest podcast by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC).

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JAN
24

Digital engagement in neighbourhood planning

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Authors: Steve Besford-Foster, PlanSupport in association with Neil Kirkland, GoCollaborate Limited 


There has been a significant dip in the willingness of communities to engage since COVID. Some of this might be due to a fear of public meetings and mixing, but there’s a continuing strong element of cynicism about government and planning, which is having an impact on NDP engagement. There is also a growing recognition of what digital engagement can bring which many communities are looking to grasp.

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JAN
23

NALC publishes its quarterly activity report

REPORT

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published its quarterly activity report covering October to December 2023.

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JAN
23

NALC announces an exciting lineup of events for the first half of 2024/25

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has unveiled its much-anticipated events schedule for the first half of the 2024/25 financial year.

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JAN
23

NALC launches new banking webpage to help address local council concerns

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In response to numerous issues raised by local (parish and town) councils about high street banks, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has launched a new webpage to help address those concerns.

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JAN
19

Government informs NALC of Section 137 expenditure limit for 2024/25

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The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 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 local (parish and town) councils in England for 2024/25 is £10.81.

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JAN
18

NALC has released extra tickets for how local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on how local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda which takes place on 31 January 2024.

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JAN
17

NALC welcomes parish exclusion from referendum principles

FUNDING

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has welcomed the government’s decision to exclude local (parish and town) councils from council tax referendum principles for the 2024/25 financial year.

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JAN
17

Winter safety and risk management tips for councils 

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


With winter well and truly upon us, now is a good time for local (parish and town) councils to prepare for the worsening weather from a safety and risk management perspective. The winter weather can present many challenges, with roads, car parks, walkways, stairs/steps, bus shelters, playgrounds, and more becoming more hazardous due to ice and snow.

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JAN
16

NALC secures exclusive discount to access the Green Book   

DISCOUNT

As part of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) growing HR and employment service, NALC has agreed with the Local Government Association (LGA) a 15% discount for the first year subscription to its Employer Link service.

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JAN
10

NALC gives evidence to parliamentary inquiry on the Office for Local Government  

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has given evidence to a parliamentary committee conducting an inquiry on the Office for Local Government (OFLOG).

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JAN
10

Open letter: Promoting and supporting the first tier of local government

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I want to start my latest open letter by wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. And to thank everyone who works in and with the local (parish and town) council sector for everything you did through last year to make a change in communities right across the country.

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JAN
10

NALC launches the Local Council Award Scheme criteria review consultation

LCAS

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has announced the launch of a consultation as part of the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) criteria review.

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JAN
10

Ensuring no one is left behind as UK landlines go digital 

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Author: Lucy Baker, consumer all IP director and Vicky Hicks, head of engagement, digital voice and gender equality network chair at BT Consumer 


The landline is here to stay, but the technology used to make calls is changing from analogue to digital as part of an industry-wide shift.

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DEC
22

Local councils successfully secure £4.5 million from the Community Ownership Fund 

finance

Local (parish and town) councils nationwide have again successfully secured around £4.5 million from the Community Ownership Funds.  

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DEC
22

NALC has released extra tickets for the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media in the local council sector

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media in the local council sector which takes place on 28 February 2024.

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DEC
20

Make Music Day – for and by everyone, on 21 June every year

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Author: Barbara Eifler, chief executive of Making Music and chair of Make Music Day UK


It’s the simplest of concepts: anyone can create or host or perform in a music event on 21 June and be part of the world’s biggest DIY grassroots music festival.

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DEC
20

NALC and SLCC leadership teams mark the launch of the new model contract of employment for local councils 

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC)’s senior leadership teams met in London to discuss various issues of strategic significance to the sector. These included workforce development, audit and finance of local councils, and our respective work programmes for 2024.

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DEC
19

NALC leadership is complete as committees elect chairs and vice chairs 

ELECTIONS

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has completed its leadership line-up for the next two years following the election of chairs and vice-chairs to its committees. 

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DEC
19

NALC announces the latest Local Council Award Scheme results

LCAS

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

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DEC
19

NALC holds an online event on winning strategies for the funding game

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an online event on winning strategies for the funding game on 15 December 2023. 

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DEC
13

NALC holds an introductory event on the Local Council Award Scheme

LCAS

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an introductory event on the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS), explaining why and how local (parish and town) can apply.

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DEC
13

From COP to local communities – helping the next generation drive climate solutions 

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Author: Graham Duxbury, chief executive of Groundwork UK


Watching delegates fly in and out of COP 28 in Dubai over the last two weeks it’s been easy to get downhearted by how distant and difficult the discussions about tackling dangerous climate change are.  In the meantime, the power of nature to enhance or disrupt our lives has never been more evident.  Extreme weather battering our shores and causing real hardship in communities is making us finally understand what an unstable climate means.  At the same time, more and more of us are realising how being better connected with nature does wonders for our health and wellbeing.  As is so often the case, we don’t truly appreciate something until it’s gone.

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DEC
12

NALC discusses banking challenges at a UK Finance event

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the UK Finance parliamentary event on 5 December 2023 on raising the banking challenges local (parish and town) councils face.

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DEC
12

Government grants no tax referendum principles in 2024/25 for local councils

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In response to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), the government has excluded local (town and parish) councils from council tax referendum principles in 2024/2025.  

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DEC
12

National Assembly supports proposals to improve NALC committees

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) proposals to develop and improve how committees function were approved by its National Assembly on 29 November 2023.  

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DEC
06

NALC calls for Oflog remit to include local councils

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The National Association of Local Councils has called for the Office for Local Government's (Oflog) remit to include England's 10,000 local (parish and town) councils. 

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DEC
06

A journey through the Newport Pagnell Town Council study tour 2023 

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Author: Shar Roselman, town clerk at Newport Pagnell Town Council 


Join me as I reflect on the enlightening study tour held in June 2023. Let's explore the valuable benefits of study tours and dive into the extensive array of subjects that these tours can cover. Trust me, you will want to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the next one!

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DEC
05

NALC’S coastal communities network publishes survey 

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) coastal communities national network met online on 23 November 2023 and has launched a survey to help shape the network’s future. 

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NOV
29

NALC celebrates excellence as it crowns its Star Council Awards winners

sca-winners

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announced its Star Council Awards winners at a dazzling ceremony held on 29 November 2023 at the prestigious House of Lords.

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NOV
29

NALC announces results of its committee elections

ELECTIONS

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announced the results of its committee elections at the National Assembly meeting on 29 November 2023.

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NOV
29

Working together for a tree-filled future – join in this special National Tree Week 

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Author: Jess Allan, Science & Research Projects Manager at The Tree Council 


National Tree Week 2023 (25 Nov-3 Dec) marks fifty years since the ‘Plant a Tree in ‘73’ campaign, from which the annual week-long celebration of trees (and The Tree Council!) was born. The week is always a brilliant opportunity to come together and truly appreciate the trees around us that give us joy! The theme this year is ‘Grow a Tree in ‘23’, reflecting the continued love and care that trees need after planting – a crucial message for all of us. 

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NOV
27

NALC calls for broadband access in highly remote areas

BROADBAND

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to ensure broadband connectivity reaches all hard-to-reach rural areas.

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NOV
24

NALC stands strong on White Ribbon Day

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In a powerful display of solidarity, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has pledged its support for White Ribbon Day, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

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NOV
24

NALC event explores how to improve the planning system for local councils

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held its latest event on 22 November 2023, looking at how to make the planning system work for local (parish and town) councils.

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NOV
22

Super councils network encouraged to take up the Corporate Peer Challenge

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The National Associations of Local Councils (NALC) national network for super councils was encouraged to consider participating in the Corporate Peer Challenge.

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NOV
22

Important takeaways from the White Ribbon conference 

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Author: Daisy Petrow, communications officer at NALC


In September 2023, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the White Ribbon conference in Birmingham. White Ribbon’s mission is to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes. They work with men and boys to change long established harmful attitudes, systems and behaviours around masculinity that perpetuate inequality and violence. Their work is preventative; they want to stop violence before it starts.  

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NOV
22

Push forward: 10 ways to end violence against women 

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Author: UN Women


Violence against women and girls remains the most pervasive human rights violation in the world, affecting more than 1 in 3 women, a figure that has remained unchanged over the last decade. 

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NOV
22

NALC and SLCC joint event on Martyn's Law outlines potential actions for local councils 

LEGAL

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) held a joint event on 16 November 2023 to discuss the current legislative status of Martyn's Law.

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NOV
20

NALC heads to Yate Town Council for a study tour

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will head to Yate Town Council in Avon for its annual study tour as part of its good practices initiative. 

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NOV
17

NALC committee election voting is closing soon

ELECTIONS

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) calls on larger and smaller local (parish and town) councils to vote for the Larger Councils Committee and Smaller Councils Committee elections.

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NOV
17

NALC calls for tighter land management company regulation 

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to tighten up the regulation of land management companies. 

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NOV
15

NALC and LGA joint event explores the role of councillors

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) held a joint event on 14 November 2023 that explored the role of local councillors.

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NOV
15

How local councils can help deliver a decarbonised transport system 

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Author: Cllr James Gleave, board member at Transport Planning Society and councillor at Flitwick Town Council 


Anyone who is a councillor knows that one of the things that is most often raised by the public is transport. Whether it be the lack of local buses or the state of the roads – people often have a lot to say. You may think that transport and highways is the responsibility of your County Council, Unitary Authority, District Council, Borough or Combined Authority. But believe it or not, even local (parish and town) councils can do a lot to help make the transport system better and decarbonise it at the same time.

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NOV
14

Young councillors network appoints new co-chairs and publishes a survey

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The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Young councillors met on 8 November 2023 to appoint its new co-chairs.

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NOV
08

Food insecurity: what can councils do?

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Author: Louise Marshall, senior public health fellow, and Bethan Page, public health speciality registrar, the Health Foundation


Thriving communities need all the right building blocks in place, including quality housing, stable jobs, a good education, and much more. Erosion of these building blocks causes instability in people's lives, reducing resilience to circumstances outside their control and increasing their risk of poor health.

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