About
The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on many lives, the economy and local communities. Local (parish and town) councils have to think differently about how they work, connect and engage with their communities to reflect this new context. Local councils were at the heart of the pandemic's initial response and will play a vital role in the local leadership needed through the recovery and beyond.
Throughout the next 18-months, the new online event series will bring together national influencers, policymakers and decision-makers, and people from across the local council sector to share the latest ideas and inspiration on how we can build back stronger and more resilient communities for the future.
Event types
The online events will run in a flexible format with a panel of expert speakers on a given topic, delivering a presentation formally or informally. There will then be the chance to engage in questions and answers with speakers ahead of a final summing up.
All online events will run on the Zoom platform. Delegates will also post their questions and comments in the chat facility during each event on this platform.
NALC online events will feature a blend of leading organisations and policymakers, which will give insight into how national strategy on a given issue is developing. All events will consider the significant issues facing communities and provide a new perspective on them.
All online events will give councillors and clerks from across the country an opportunity to connect, share best practices and learn from one another from the comfort of their home or workplace.
NB: NALC reserves the right to change the programme at any time.
Sponsors
BHIB Council Insurance
BHIB Councils Insurance is part of BHIB Insurance Brokers, one of the UK's leading independent commercial insurance brokers with a proud history dating back over 50 years. BHIB has delivered bespoke insurance programmes and advice to the public, private and charity sectors and membership organisations during this time. With local councils providing an ever-growing range of services, it is more important than ever to have sector experts you can rely on and be partnered with to provide insurance and risk management advice to ensure you have the right knowledge and protection for your council and the community you represent. BHIB Councils Insurance is partnered with the UK's largest insurer, Aviva, to provide a tailor-made, bespoke insurance policy for local councils. This, coupled with their own specialist risk manager, can provide risk management support, advice, and training, meaning they can respond to all your needs.
Find out more about BHIB Council Insurance
Blachere Illumination
Blachere Illumination will transform your town centre's winter and festive lighting with the perfect scheme to meet your budget. As the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of winter and architectural lighting, they take care of everything from design to installation and dismantling and even offer a hire service.
Find out more about Blachere Illumination
CCLA
CCLA has managed local authority funds for over 40 years and charitable funds for 60 years. The Public Sector Deposit Fund – a simple, low-risk solution for cash. The Local Authorities' Property Fund – increasing your income, diversifying your risk.
Past events
In conversation: Building back stronger communities
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
With 100 days of lockdown behind us and restrictions beginning to ease, now is the time to start looking ahead to how local councils can support their communities to rebuild and recover. Join this interactive event to hear from others across the most local tier of local government and share your aspirations and plans. We hope you will leave the event with a renewed passion for how your council can make a difference and have met and heard from people across the country to get a wide and varied insight from across the sector.
Speakers: Cllr Christine Ward, Cottenham Parish Council and Cllr Mike Drew, Yate Town Council
Leaders talk: Building back stronger communities
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
During the COVID-19 lockdown, communities have learnt how resilient they really are, and local councils have proven how key they are to that response and recovery effort. But communities recover best and quickest when local agencies work together in partnership. Join this panel session to hear from others at different local and central government levels - share and discuss your own views. Hear from other community resilience experts how your local council can best partner up and deliver sustainable post-COVID solutions for your communities.
Speakers: Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the LGA, Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC and Bill Grimsey, Grimsey review lead.
Putting trees at the heart of your community
In partnership with The Woodland Trust
NALC is pleased to announce that we are hosting a free online event in partnership with The Woodland Trust. This event will cover how local councils can improve residents' health and well-being, provide sustainable wildlife habitats, and tackle climate change with woods and trees. You will come away from this event to understand the role local councils can play by joining the Tree Charter Movement. We will also discuss how to obtain free tree packs and reveal how your community can participate in National Tree Charter Day celebrations in November 2020.
Speakers: Zara Holden, programme delivery lead (Tree Charter) and Sarah Shorley, urban projects officer at The Woodland Trust
Planning for the future
NALC is delighted to announce this online event on the government's Planning For the Future white paper, which is out for consultation, with a specific focus on the implications for neighbourhood planning. This will be a timely and unique opportunity to discuss and help understand the proposed changes. You will hear directly from government officials about proposals for streamlining the planning process, digitizing the planning system for plan-making and decision-taking, focusing on design and sustainability, reforming developer contributions and infrastructure delivery, making more land available for housing delivery, and what next for the neighbourhood planning. You will be able to pose your questions and input views through the question and answer session and come away from this event to understand how the proposals will affect communities and local councils' role in the planning system.
Speakers: Jennifer Beresford, lead on plan-making policy, Robert Griffith, senior planning officer and Chris Mountain, development plans at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Rebuilding sustainable communities
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
So, your local council has declared a climate emergency… what next? Hear from sector experts, experienced councillors and share your own stories on rebuilding greener and more sustainable communities. We will talk about climate action plans, how to work with your principal authority, how to ensure your community assets are sustainable, and how to ensure your council's biodiversity. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the link between our own health and that of the planet. We hope you will leave the event with a renewed passion for tackling climate change locally with the confidence to activate it within your council.
Speakers: Sandra Bell, senior sustainability analyst at Friends of the Earth, Clara Goldsmith, campaigns director at The Climate Coalition and Peter Macfadyen, Extinction Rebellion and former mayor of Frome Town Council
The future of health challenges post COVID-19
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Came & Company Local Council Insurance, the Centre for Ageing Better, the Epilepsy Society, HAGS and Parish Online
This session will be a strategic look at how local councils can help their communities overcome the health challenges in their areas when the current pandemic eases. Listen to experts and principal authorities to provide their vision on the future health challenges for communities and how local councils can support their communities in managing these issues.
Speakers: Olivia Butterworth, head of public participation at NHS England, Chrissie Geeson, head of localities and partnerships at Suffolk County Council and Jeremy Hughes CBE, consultant to the Royal Voluntary Service
Collaboration for health and wellbeing
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Came & Company Local Council Insurance, the Centre for Ageing Better, the Epilepsy Society, HAGS and Parish Online
Join this event to get a local and national perspective on how partnership working across different levels of local government and with other agencies can positively impact the health and well-being of local communities. You will hear how relationships and the common aim of serving parished communities have led to improved outcomes across Essex, plus hear how local partnerships can support more people to enjoy their later life.
Speakers: Danielle Frost, health and wellbeing officer at the Essex Association of Local Councils, Dr Mike Gogarty, director of wellbeing, public health and communities at Essex County Council and Justin Newman, director of strategy and partnerships at the Centre for Ageing Better
Local councils and hidden disabilities
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Came & Company Local Council Insurance, the Centre for Ageing Better, the Epilepsy Society, HAGS and Parish Online
Local councils are best placed to understand the hidden disabilities in their communities. Hear from sector specialists how to recognise residents with dementia and epilepsy and how your local council can ensure their wellbeing and safety. You will also hear from two councillors who have installed projects in their area to support residents with hidden disabilities. You will come away with a unique understanding of what hidden disabilities look like, how your council can safeguard residents in local groups and the future of safeguarding post-COVID-19.
Speakers: Cllr Liz Hitchins, chair of Dementia Friendly Parishes around the Yealm, Clare Pelham, chief executive of the Epilepsy Society and Ian Sheriff, academic partnership lead for dementia at the University of Plymouth
Supporting mental health in your community
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Came & Company Local Council Insurance, the Centre for Ageing Better, the Epilepsy Society, HAGS and Parish Online
Now more than ever, the challenge of mental health is of increasing importance. This event will focus on those challenges and how local councils can support their communities. We live through unprecedented times, where many face isolation and fear that they have never experienced before. You will hear from the leading mental health charity and other organisations to learn about supporting mental health in your communities. You will share your own experiences and ideas on how your council finds solutions for residents on mental health.
Speaker: Amy Browne, stewardship lead at CCLA, Paul Farmer, chief executive at Mind and Imogen Smith, senior project officer at Communities Prepared
Frome — youth first
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
Come and learn about Frome Town Council's unique youth services offer. See how this dynamic council has engaged with Frome's young people's cross-sections during the COVID-19 lockdown, working with different local stakeholders. Learn about the council's People's Budget plans for a funded young people project. Find out about the council's dynamic Link and Learn training for young people. See how the council delivers its excellent Power of Play training – engaging with active young people whilst social distancing in Frome.
Speakers: Rachel Griffin, marketing and communications manager and Kate Hellard, community development manager at Frome Town Council
Local councils and the future of play
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
Early in the pandemic, playgrounds, schools, playgroups and many other play opportunities were closed. We will learn in time what impact that will have had on so many children and young people. Our relationship with outside spaces and nature has changed this year. Many local (parish and town) councils have an opportunity to think about the facilities in their local area to ensure that children and young people can have access to opportunities for play no matter what the future holds. You will hear national perspectives on how important play is for children and young people and how local councils can use their parks, playgrounds and other facilities to enable play to be a part of every childhood in a post-COVID-19 world.
Speakers: Anita Grant, chair of trustees for Play England and chief executive at the Islington Play Association, Mark Hardy, chairman of the Association of Play Industries and Cllr Teresa Heritage, vice-chairman of the Local Government Association Children and Young People’s Board and deputy leader of Hertfordshire County Council
Biggleswade — strategic planning for larger projects
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
Come and learn about Biggleswade Town Council's unique approach to strategic planning. See how this dynamic council uses strategic planning to deliver projects across all local public policy areas, working with vastly different bodies. Be inspired by a town council from whom we should all be learning how strategic planning can effectively deliver all public policy outcomes.
Speakers: Cllr Madeline Russell, mayor and Peter Tarrant, chief executive and town clerk at Biggleswade Town Council
Why representation in local councils matters
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
As the most local government body, local (parish and town) councils are closest to their communities and can influence real change. For our councils to be effective, we need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put themselves forward for election. By attending this online event, you will come away with an understanding of the importance of representation and inclusion across the parish and town council sector. You will hear from sector experts how to reach all groups of people in your community and encourage them to be a part of the council ahead of the May 2021 elections.
Speakers: Rachael Farrington, founder of Voting Counts, Nick Gardham, chief executive officer at Community Organisers and Judeline Nicholas, diversity and inclusion consultant
Building back resilient communities
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
Before lockdown, many local (parish and town) councils across England had already proven beyond measure their worth to their communities' resilience agenda. Coronavirus has now permanently embedded local councils' crucial role in community resilience in their areas. This final session in the Rebuilding Communities online event series will highlight the relevance of local councils to key aspects of community recovery as we begin to emerge from lockdown – ranging from the future of community resilience to partnership working. Book onto this exciting session for an essential blend of strategic, practical and community-facing outcomes for your residents.
Speakers: Nora Corkery, chief executive officer of Devon Communities Together, Mark Law, former chair of Locality and chief executive of Barca Leeds and Cllr Bridget Smith, deputy chair of the Local Government Association Safer and Stronger Communities Board and leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council
The power of a local council and community business partnership
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
Post COVID-19, this is a timely moment for the sector to consider how local (parish and town) councils, together with community businesses, can enhance, strengthen and shape communities. Attend this event to learn more about community businesses and be enlightened on how partnerships with community businesses can start in your community.
Speakers: Hannah Barrett, senior project manager at the Plunkett Foundation, Danielle Cohen, development manager at Power to Change and Alan Collard, an adviser at the Plunkett Foundation and chair of Toppesfield Parish Council
Local Council Award Scheme — preparing an award-winning application
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA
The Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) is an accreditation scheme for the local (parish and town) sector to celebrate the successes of councils and provide a mechanism for continuous improvement and development. To ensure all local councils feel confident in applying to the scheme, NALC is hosting this event to provide insights into submitting an award-winning application for each award level. Increasing your chances of achieving the award level hoped for. This event is open to both clerks and councillors interested in the scheme.
Speakers: Anders Hanson, projects manager and Linda Hammond, project officer at the National Association of Local Councils
How to get young people involved in local councils
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
Want to know how to get young people involved with the council? Are you keen to find the next generation of councillors in your community? Join NALC in exploring the big questions on how and what local (parish and town) councils can do to reach younger people in their community. A panel of young councillors will give precious insights into what made them join their local council, the reasons behind them, how they went from resident to councillor, and what local councils can do to engage with their young residents. There will be a Q&A feature, so come with your successes, failures, and questions for an interactive session so we can all learn from each other.
Speakers: Cllr Katy Brooks, Pembury Parish Council, Cllr Chelsey Jay, Witham Town Council and Cllr Ollie Tucker, Axminster Town Council
Reopening and reimagining your community buildings
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA and Scribe - Scribe Bookings.
Want to see your community thrive post-COVID-19? With lockdown ending, now is the perfect time to consider the role your village hall or community centre can play in revitalising your community. Find out how you can make your community-building the place to be in your neighbourhood. Learn how to encourage existing users of your community facility to return and market your venue to new users.
Speakers: Deborah Clarke, rural evidence and village halls manager at Action with Communities in Rural England, Andrew McKenzie, town clerk of Dawlish Town Council and Tim O’Shea, managing director at Scribe - Scribe Bookings
Planning and power
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
The Planning White Paper in 2020 signalled a new sense of direction in the world of planning as the government seeks to meet housing targets and provide places for people to live. But at what cost to local democracy? Come to this event and listen to a dynamic panel discussion where the local flow of power goes in the planning process. Have your say on keeping planning local and keeping the voice of local communities in the planning system loud, clear and heard.
Speakers: Richard Blyth, head of policy practice and research at the Royal Town Planning Institute, Hugh Ellis, policy director at the Town and Country Planning Association and Cllr Anna Watson, Shipley Town Council
The future of high streets and town centres
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
High streets and town centres are at the heart of local communities. They provide essential services, facilities and spaces that bring people together. Yet 2020 was the worst year for the high street in 25 years, with the closure of many shops and job losses. Footfall has been declining while online shopping has increased, with the pandemic accelerating both. How do we reinvigorate and repurpose high streets and town centres? With markets leading the return of the high street, how can they play a vital part in the recovery? What role should local (parish and town) councils play in helping build back better? The event will look at the importance of high streets and town centres and their ever-changing landscape, how to revive them, consider what's next for the future, and provide expert insights and advice.
Speakers: Matt Baker, Grimsey Review Team, Cllr Suzannah Clarke, chair of planning at Lewisham Council, Ojay McDonald, chief executive of the Association of Town and City Management and David Preston, chief executive of the National Association of British Market Authorities
Host: Katherine Owen, external affairs at Blachere Illumination
Local Council Award Scheme — preparing an award-winning application
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
The Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) is an accreditation scheme for the local (parish and town) sector to celebrate the successes of councils and provide a mechanism for continuous improvement and development. To ensure all local councils feel confident in applying to the scheme, NALC is hosting this event to provide insights into submitting an award-winning application for each award level. Increasing your chances of achieving the award level hoped for. This event is open to clerks, councillors and council staff interested in the scheme.
Speakers: Anders Hanson, projects manager and Lisa Etchell, projects officer at the National Association of Local Councils
Levelling up the environment through biodiversity net gain
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
That "we should leave the environment in a better state than we found it" is a key aim of the government's 25-year Environment Plan. As biodiversity net gain becomes one of the ways councils can fight climate change through requirements on planning authorities and forthcoming new environmental legislation, this event will examine what this means for local councils and what they can do for their area. Hear a stark assessment of the biodiversity crisis and how planning and environmental legislation will impact communities and local councils. Find out more about local nature recovery strategies, how local councils can help police the 30-year net gain from developments and take action now to improve biodiversity and level up the environment.
Speakers: Cllr Ed Gemmell, Hazlemere Parish Council and Scientists Warning Europe and Professor Dave Goulson, University of Sussex
Making rural housing more affordable
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
Affordable rural housing is becoming even harder to obtain for residents in rural parished areas. As land on which to build such housing becomes scarcer and the planning system goes through yet another major overhaul – the net effect seems to be even more socially isolated younger and other people priced out of homeownership in their own areas. At this event, hear from sector experts about the difference local (parish and town) councils can make to influence local initiatives to make housing cheaper and affordable in rural areas – against the odds.
Speakers: Lord Best, chair of the Affordable Housing Commission, Martin Collett, chief executive at English Rural and Richard Quallington, executive director at Action for Communities in Rural England
Upcoming events
Levelling up the nation and our communities
26 January 2022 — 12.00 - 13.15
NALC member: £30 – Non-member: £40
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
At the 2019 general election, the Conservative Party manifesto included a commitment to "levelling up every part of the UK – not just investing in our great towns and cities, as well as rural and coastal areas, but giving them far more control of how that investment is made".
Fast forward two years and the prime minister's driving mission of the government arguably still lacks detail, despite significant pots of funding being announced. And a white paper on devolution widely expected to be published last year has been delayed. But following the recent cabinet reshuffle, levelling up is centre stage, now featuring in the name of a rebranded government department along with a new levelling up the minister. More details are finally to be revealed in a levelling up and recovery white paper due to be published this Autumn.
Join us to learn all about the white paper and the government's plans for levelling up and further devolution, and to find out what this all means for local (parish and town) councils.
Speakers: Will Tanner, director at Onward and Vidhya Alakeson, chief executive, Power to Change
Working together to make communities safer
30 March 2022 — 12.00 - 13.15
NALC member: £30 – Non-member: £40
Sponsors: BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA
According to the Office of National Statistics, the pandemic affected patterns of crime and decreases across individual crime types such as theft offences were offset by rises in fraud and computer misuse offences, resulting in no change in overall levels of crime. Just 26% of the public say the government are doing a good job on dealing with crime, according to recent polling by IPSOS Mori.
So just how safe do communities actually feel? How are the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC's) working with communities to reduce crime and improve community safety? And what part can local (parish and town) councils play using their existing powers and funding?
You will hear more about the role and work of the PCC's since being first elected in 2012 to replace police authorities, how they are engaging and working with communities and local councils, and about the important role police and crime panels play in scrutinising PCCs, how effective it is, and their link to local councils, along with tips and good practice.
Speakers: Cllr John Gilli-Ross, chair of Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel and Caroline Henry, Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire