News

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has taken a proactive stance, calling on the government to allocate its Community Wealth Fund resources through local (parish and town) councils in regions below 20,000 population.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Smaller Councils Committee met on 10 October 2023 to discuss the upcoming NALC committee elections and other key initiatives. 

Author: Angela M, chief executive officer of International Black History Month UK

October marks the start of Black History Month in the UK. This national celebration aims to celebrate, remember, and reflect on the contributions of African and Caribbean heritage people to the British economy, culture, and history.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is preparing for its committee elections as the nomination deadline closes on 25 October 2023. NALC is urging all interested candidates to put themselves forward for a role that could shape the future of local governance.

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

The National Association of Local Councils has published its quarterly activity report covering July to September 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) strongly urges the government to reevaluate its proposal for local planning authorities (LPAs) to conduct periodic reviews of their local plans every five years.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Women councillors met on 11 October 2023 to discuss the Community Safety Charter, the wellbeing of women councillors in local (parish and town) councils, and White Ribbon Day 2023.

Author: Sam Hagen, digital marketer at the Water Hygiene Centre 

This blog looks at the considerations any local authority should make in determining how to appoint a contractor(s) to support them to ensure that water systems are free from microbiological contamination for those who use them.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with the Barclays Know Your Customer team and other senior Barclays representatives last week on 22 September 2023.

Local (parish and town) councils across England were successful bidders for the Community Ownership Fund.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) White Ribbon steering group discussed NALC’s plan for this year’s White Ribbon Day when they met on 4 October 2023.

The government has unveiled 55 towns that will benefit from a £1.1 billion levelling up investment as part of a long-term plan for towns that provide long-term investment in towns that have been overlooked and taken for granted.

Author: Katerina Sukstul, head of platform delivery and engagement at GoCollaborate 

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, local authorities find themselves at a crossroads, facing the dual challenges of engaging their communities effectively and adapting to the ever-increasing demands for transparency and participation in decision-making processes. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the White Ribbon Conference at Villa Park in Birmingham on 26 September 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an online event on engaging with local communities through digital engagement on 27 September 2023.

The public will again crown this year's National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Star Council Awards 2023 Council of the Year category.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is thrilled to announce the prestigious Star Council Awards finalists. After an exhaustive evaluation process, our expert panel of judges has selected these exceptional individuals, councils and county associations as the best in their respective categories.

Author: Richard Stanford CB MBE, chief executive of the Forestry Commission  

With growing environmental pressures to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, never has it been a more important time to grow trees. The UK government and local authorities share a common goal to halt the decline in biodiversity by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.

The Improvement and Development Board (IDB) has appointed James Alexander as its new independent chair.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released extra tickets to its sold-out online event on making the planning system work for local (parish and town) councils, which takes place on 22 November 2023.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to keep planning local and democratic.

On 25 November 2023, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will support White Ribbon Day to work towards ending violence against women and girls.

Author: Lauren Jones-Mullins, wildlife ecologist & beachwatch administrator at Marine Conservation Society

What do you think of when you hear the words ‘marine litter’? Rolling waves of plastic? Vast islands of waste in the middle of the ocean? Wildlife tangled in fishing net and eating plastic bags? Shocking images of the extent of pollution around the world have been brought into the public eye through Blue Planet 2, National Geographic, and even the Octonauts - but the reality is much closer to home. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has urged the government to simplify the rules to protect hedgerows and give local (parish and town) councils a more significant role. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will attend party conferences throughout September and October 2023 to promote the local (parish and town) council sector.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has secured several amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill at last week's Report Stage in the House of Lords.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) National Network: Women councillors met on 7 September 2023 to discuss the White Ribbon campaign, NALC’s White Ribbon accreditation and the Civility and Respect Pledge.

Author: Joanne Riddle, town clerk at Bingham Town Council 

After a challenging period of time for the council, the Local Council’s Award Scheme was considered as a positive way to provide residents reassurance that the council were not only meeting their responsibilities, but they were exceeding them and were striving to constantly improve. Staff know that the council meet the legal requirements expected of them and that they take their scrutiny role seriously, but after a negative time it can be difficult to change that view with the community.

The Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) met on 4 September 2023 to agree on its plans for updating the Practitioners Guide' for the 2024/25 financial year. 

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.

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.