Following the long-awaited Martyn’s Law standard tier consultation, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) have issued a joint sector survey to inform their responses.
News
Author: Lee Cleaver, client account executive at Clear Councils Insurance
6 June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day and will see several events hosted throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories. It is a significant occasion to commemorate the sacrifices made and celebrate the years of peace resulting from those tremendous efforts.
On 5 February 2024, the House of Commons approved the final Local Government Finance Settlement 2024/25.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Smaller Councils Committee has mapped out its two-year work programme.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published a new briefing on council email addresses and password security.
The Home Office has announced further free webinars on the Martyn's Law standard tier consultation for public sector bodies, including local (parish and town) councils, which may own or manage buildings and premises falling in the scope of the standard tier of the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.
Author: Cllr Andy Snape, mayor of Flitwick Town Council
As co-chair of NALC's LGBT+ councillors national network, it's an honour to write on NALC’s blog to mark LBGT+ History Month 2024! The network was set up in 2021 to bring LGBTQ+ councillors together to share ideas and inspire change in our local communities. As a network, we’re working on some exciting initiatives to raise the profile of LGBTQ+ councillors and staff working in local councils and to provide resources and support for councils that would like to engage more in this important area.
Following the publication of the long-awaited Martyn’s Law standard tier consultation last week, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) have issued a joint sector survey to inform their responses.
The National Association of Local Councils and the Cabinet Office can confirm that local (parish and town) councils can now apply for a free portrait of His Majesty The King.
Following the publication of the long-awaited Martyn's Law standard tier consultation, the Home Office has announced that it will be hosting a webinar for public sector bodies, including local (parish and town) councils, which may own or manage buildings and premises falling in the scope of the standard tier of the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has opposed the government’s new street vote development order plans.
Authors: Karen Gibbard, Sandra Lowe, Stephanie Palmer and Tim Willott from the Parish Council Domains Helper Team
As you may know, the cabinet office is working hard to support England's parish and town councils in moving to .gov.uk domains where they can conduct their business safely, more securely and efficiently.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has responded to an investigation by the BBC into abuse and intimidation of people in local government.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Women councillors met on 29 January 2024 to discuss NALC's women councillors survey and bullying and harassment in the local (parish and town) council sector.
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.
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.
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.
The National of Association of Local Councils (NALC) women councillor’s national network has launched a survey to help shape the network’s future.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has been featured on the latest podcast by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC).
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.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published its quarterly activity report covering October to December 2023.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has unveiled its much-anticipated events schedule for the first half of the 2024/25 financial year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has given evidence to a parliamentary committee conducting an inquiry on the Office for Local Government (OFLOG).
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.
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.
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.
Local (parish and town) councils nationwide have again successfully secured around £4.5 million from the Community Ownership Funds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has announced the latest Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) results.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an online event on winning strategies for the funding game on 15 December 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announced the results of its committee elections at the National Assembly meeting on 29 November 2023.
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.