Smaller Councils Committee tackles key challenges in latest meeting

The Smaller Councils Committee met on 15 May 2025 to discuss key priorities for the sector, including the creation of parish and town councils, staffing, and policy support.

A top agenda item was support for forming new parish and town councils in unparished areas of emerging unitary authorities. The committee called on NALC to continue championing this principle while emphasising the need to recognise the limited capacity of smaller parish and town councils to take on additional services or liabilities without proper funding.

Recruitment also took centre stage, with committee members urging NALC to focus on the urgent need to attract and train new clerks, especially for parish and town councils hit hardest by the sector-wide recruitment situation.

Our employment law, HR, and health and safety services partner, WorkNest, delivered a valuable presentation on HR priorities for smaller councils. We will share a list of essential HR policies to help parish and town councils stay compliant and confident.

Looking ahead, the committee will identify gaps in policy guidance for smaller councils. The findings will be reported at the next meeting. In addition, a written update will be provided summarising parish liaison teams across the 18 county areas with principal authorities, an essential piece of the puzzle in improving communication and support structures.

Finally, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to closing policy gaps and building resilience across smaller councils, including raising awareness of the need for robust security cultures in the lead-up to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.