The following crime statistics were shared at the Public Services Committee Meeting on Tuesday 3rd June:
East Grinstead – Last 3 months (1.3.25 – 27.5.25)
1,896 calls to Police – 291 Cat A (meaning a car will arrive within 10 minutes), 112 Cat B, 168 Cat C
100 with a Domestic Abuse (DA) tag (27 less DA calls than in the previous 3 month period)
707 incidents were attended by Police (50 more incidents attended than for the previous 3 month period)
Of the 707 incidents attended – these include 95 violent crimes, 113 medical incident/concern, 71 suspicious acts, 38 road related incidents, 33 RTCs, 32 ASB and 19 burglaries
Recorded crime in East Grinstead
-25.7% reduction in Burglary
+20.8% increase for Theft
+21.2% increase for Robbery
-3.4% reduction in Possession of Weapons offences
-11.7% reduction in recorded DA crime
Overall East Grinstead remained a very safe place to live, with Mid Sussex being at the lower end of crime for Sussex, which was approx. mid table across the country.
The police station was used 707 times on different occasions over the past 3 months by officers, even though the front desk was only manned 2 days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 2pm.
Category A calls were responded to within 10 minutes; if this time was missed it would only be by 1-2 minutes, no longer. Category A was classified as a crime in progress and typically a response vehicle would be sent from Crawley as it was a faster drive.
The ASB rates provided were lower than the impression of issues shared by the public with Councillors. The importance of reporting incidents was emphasised, as police officers were intelligence led; if the reports were not made the police would remain unaware of issues occurring.
Speeding was the responsibility of the Road Safety Unit, Insp Derrick would follow up with them to share details of this.
Police Officers did not have the powers to enforce vehicle noise unless it was caused by a deliberate modification.
Leader of West Sussex County Council, on the civil unrest seen across the country
“I am sure that we are all shocked and appalled by the scenes we have witnessed across the country of rioting and civil unrest, scenes that will upset all of us who don’t understand the thinking of those who are organising and undertaking these events.
“I know that we live in a tolerant society, one which accepts all no matter what race, religion, or sexuality they are, and I am proud of the role West Sussex County Council plays in ensuring all of our communities can feel safe and secure no matter whether they were born in this country or have chosen our county or country to settle in. The council does not and will not tolerate discrimination in any way, shape or form and continues to work with our partners including the police and Government to ensure this happens. Hate has no place in a modern society; tolerance does, and this is what we, as a council, promote and will continue to do so.
“I condemn all of those who have taken part in the civil unrest and state that it has no place in West Sussex or anywhere in the country and support Sussex Police in all it is doing to ensure our residents, communities and businesses do not suffer from the minority who set out to disrupt our lives through their actions.
“They will not win their argument, because their argument is against all we value.”
For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415
Sussex Police statement on recent criminal disorder across the country
We are aware of growing public concern following the recent criminal disorder seen across the country. Protecting the public is our priority and Sussex Police is mobilised and fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any incidents.
This includes an ongoing, visual presence within our communities for reassurance, alongside robust, well-rehearsed plans to allow us to respond to local incidents.
There are unverified reports circulating online about potential activity across Sussex.
We are constantly reviewing information and working with partners to identify any emerging concerns, and will keep local communities updated with known facts.
The public are urged to challenge what they see online, report where appropriate and consider the source of the information.
Follow updates in local news or Sussex Police social media channels for the very latest updates
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Court said: “We recognise that recent events across the country have left our communities feeling unsafe, particularly people of colour and our Muslim communities.
“Please be reassured that racist, criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and we are working hard to keep you safe and ensure anyone involved in criminal disorder is held to account.
“To those thinking about taking part in disorder, be in no doubt that we will make you regret your actions. We will use all powers at our disposal to make sure you are held to account for your actions.
“Our neighbourhood officers are out and about, actively engaging with our local communities – please do speak to them directly if you have any concerns.
“We are asking residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or concerns to us immediately online, via 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency, quoting Operation Skylark.”
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I am delighted to share with you this week’s edition of our Rural Bulletin, packed with important updates and insights that reflect our ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of our rural communities.
Last week, we hosted two significant RMTG Sounding Board meetings, each focusing on different but equally vital segments of our rural population. The first meeting focused on the older members of our rural communities. This meeting was particularly poignant as it addressed the potential impact of proposed changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance – a critical issue that could severely affect rural pensioners. You can read more about this here.
The second meeting turned our attention to the unique challenges faced by young people in our rural areas, providing a platform for discussion on how we can better support their aspirations and opportunities. With representatives from councils across the country, these discussions underscored the urgent need for policies that protect the most vulnerable in our rural areas.
Looking ahead, we are excited to spotlight two of our esteemed speakers for the upcoming National Rural Conference 2024. With over 960 delegates booked on already, we are confident that this year’s conference will be an invaluable experience for all participants.
Lastly, I want to remind members that I will be on the judging panel for this year’s NALC Star Awards. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible work of local councils, councillors, clerks, and county associations across England. The dedication and impact of these individuals and organisations play a vital role in strengthening our rural communities.
Don’t forget, the nomination period ends on 6 September 2024, so make sure to submit your entries HERE soon.
Concerns Mount Over Proposed Changes to Winter Fuel Allowance
The proposed changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA), recently announced by the Chancellor, have sparked widespread concern, particularly among organisations dedicated to supporting older adults. The changes would see the allowance means-tested, limiting it to those already receiving Pension Credit. This has drawn strong criticism from various quarters, including Age UK, which warns of the severe impact on the well-being of millions of pensioners across the UK. Read more
This week’s blogfrom CloudyIT highlights their dedication to championing community heroes by sponsoring the Clerk of the Year category.
Chief executive’s bulletin
15 August 2024
Audit Matters
As a founding body of Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointment (SAAA), NALC has welcomed the publication of its first annual report setting out a clear mission to provide an effective and sustainable audit regime enabling communities to hold their local (town and parish) councils to account. The report includes a straightforward strategic plan. The strategic plan emphasises market development, supporting practitioners and improving limited assurance review.
NALC has also welcomed the Government’s recent announcement on the local audit backlog in principal councils. The announcement addresses the backlog of unaudited principal authority accounts and aims to put local audit on a sustainable footing. This will be an opportunity for NALC to press for several improvements, including working with SAAA to urge the Government to act on the £6.5m threshold, which triggers our largest councils into a much more costly and onerous regime.
On the blog: International Youth Day
This week’s blog emphasises the importance of empowering young people to build sustainable and prosperous communities. On International Youth Day (12 August 2024) and throughout the year, NALC advocates for creating opportunities that nurture the potential of young leaders through the young councillor national network, Star Council Awards Young Councillor category, and social media campaigns. The blog highlights the need for local councils to actively engage and support youth initiatives, celebrate their contributions, and provide platforms for their voices to be heard, ultimately fostering a brighter and more inclusive future for all. Read the blog to find out more!
Star Council Awards 2024
Don’t forget to consider nominations to our Star Council Awards 2024! These awards recognise the positive impact of the parish and town council sector on communities across England. We want the awards to be even bigger and better than before. And we want more nominations to provide even more opportunities for all councils, councillors, county associations and clerks to shine. Entrants can apply for six award categories: Council of the Year, Councillor of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, County Association of the Year, Clerk of the Year, and Climate Response of the Year. These categories recognise excellence in different areas of council operations and highlight the varied contributions of councils. The nomination period ends on 6 September 2024. We’ll announce the winners at our parliamentary reception in the House of Lords on 25 February 2025. I also want to thank our award sponsors, Clear Councils Insurance (formerly BHIB Councils Insurance), Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Cloudy IT, Facilitating the Future, Unity Trust Bank and Utility Aid, whose support is invaluable in making these awards possible.
New Legal Topic Note on basic contract law
As part of transferring content to our new website (launching on 7 October 2024!), our legal team has refreshed Legal Topic Note 35 on basic contract law. The advice considers how contracts are formed, types of contractual obligations, breach of contract and termination, and council powers in respect of contracts. To read the note, please login to our website and visit the LTN section.
Advertise your job with NALC
Are you looking to advertise your job vacancy? Did you know we advertised over 140 jobs for parish and town councils in England over the last financial year? We offer two packages (standard and premium) that use a range of platforms, including our website, social media channels, and e-marketing, to help you share your vacancy. For multiple job listings, we also offer further discounts! You can find out more about how to advertise your job with NALC on our website.
And finally…
Congratulations to Portland and Weymouth on being chosen as Dorset’s joint towns of culture for 2025. The initiative, established by the Arts Development Company, aims to give towns, villages or hamlets in Dorset the opportunity to lead a year of cultural activity and deepen relationships between communities, cultural venues and organisations. As joint winners, Portland and Weymouth will each receive £30,000 from Dorset Council, which will be match funded by Portland and Weymouth Town Councils to support a programme of activities. Currently, Bridport, which has been hosting various performances and visual art, holds the title of Dorset’s town of culture.
Recent weeks have highlighted the challenges in local government finance and the strain on principal authorities, from increasing expenditure on children’s services and adult social care to inadequate funding from the central government. Jonathan Carr-West, the chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit, briefed our Management Board on 26 March 2024 on their recent report, The State of Local Government Finance 2024. Worryingly, 14 upper-tier councils warn of possible bankruptcy next year and 74 within five years. During the briefing, the town clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council highlighted the impact of reduced finance for discretionary services on local (parish and town) councils and community resilience. While our sector has taken on numerous discretionary services in recent years, not all councils are in positions to assume these responsibilities without help, and the associated increase in precept levels is often difficult to sell to the public. The Board stressed that we are all part of the same local government ecosystem, and local government at all tiers and its national bodies must work together to address this rapidly developing problem. Discussions also included rescheduling our parliamentary reception and Star Councils Awards to February 2025, anticipating the General Election could take place this Autumn. The Board also agreed that our head of member services, Charlotte Eisenhart, would be our representative for Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments.
NALC in parliament
The House of Lords debated local government finances on 21 March 2024, including an excellent speech by NALC’s president, Baroness Scott of Needham Market, to ensure “the sector is not lost” in this important debate. Her contribution included an overview of the sector, its funding and recent trends, which she attributed to the growing role of local councils, including taking on more responsibilities from principal authorities. In her conclusion, she called on the government to increase the current local audit thresholds and ensure local councils have flexible and diverse funding as per NALC’s manifesto. You can read more in my thread on Twitter/X, which also highlights supportive comments from Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, one of NALC’s vice presidents, on Hansard, or watch again on parliamentlive.tv. NALC’s chair, Keith Stevens, was also in Parliament last week to brief Anne-Marie Morris MP, a member of the Treasury Select Committee, on NALC’s banking campaign. This followed her recent criticism of the delay in setting up banking hubs and access to banking services. Keith also updated Anne-Marie on his open letter and wider issues such as funding, standards and remote meetings.
Community Ownership Fund and new Community Green Spaces Fund
The fourth and final round of the government’s £150 million Community Ownership Fund opened for applications on 25 March. The fund, which was opened last year to allow applications from local councils as a result of NALC’s lobbying, aims to support communities to take ownership of assets at risk of being lost and those already in community ownership but in need of essential renovations to be sustainable for the long-term benefit of the community. Local councils can bid for up to £2 million in capital funding and £50,000 in revenue to help protect local assets such as sports facilities, arts and music venues, museums and galleries, parks, pubs, post offices, and shops. The first window of the fourth round is open until 10 April, with the second window due to open in late May. More information, including how to apply to the fund, is on our website. I was pleased to see the government announce a new £7 million Community Green Spaces Fund plus an additional £5 million to support capital improvement projects in village halls. The Community Green Spaces Fund will provide funding to support communities in creating, restoring, and enhancing their green spaces. While further details are still to be announced, we expect local councils to be eligible to apply. Rest assured, we will lobby hard to ensure this is the case!
Recent NALC consultation responses: permitted development rights and high streets
It’s been a busy period for responding to government consultations, which last week saw us make three submissions on land data, brownfield development and Martyn’s Law, followed by two more this week. In our response to the government’s changes to various permitted development rights consultation, we’ve opposed further erosion of the democratic planning system by voicing concerns about the push to extend permitted development rights (PDRs). We argued that, in principle, we are against the unfettered extension of PDRs. Still, we do not oppose those PDRs that will help combat climate change, such as making it easier to set up electric vehicle charging points and ground-source heat pumps. In our response to the House of Lords Built Environment Committee’s inquiry into high streets in towns and small cities, we provided examples of the work local councils are doing to support high streets and called for them to be given a greater role in the redevelopment, aesthetics and conservation of high streets, with direct access to funding programmes and more powers through the extension of the general power of competence to all local councils.
National Network: Young councillors
Our national network for young councillors met on 19 March 2024, focusing on the challenges faced by young councillors, the significance of annual parish meetings, and discussions surrounding councillor allowances. Cllr Cameron Palin, winner of our Star Council Awards 2024 Young Councillor winner, was our guest speaker, sharing his journey into politics and highlighting the importance of local activism in driving meaningful change. He addressed the hurdles young councillors encounter in gaining credibility and advocated for a more inclusive approach to governance. The network also debated the effectiveness of annual council meetings in engaging the public and young people, emphasising networking opportunities and the value of recognising council achievements. Additionally, discussions surrounding councillor allowances explored their potential impact on participation, concluding with support for a survey to gain further data and insights. The network will next meet on 4 June 2024. You can learn more about the network, how to join, and our work about young people on our website.
On the blog: GoCollaborate
This week’s blog from NALC’s partner, GoCollaborate, highlights the crucial role of neighbourhood development plans (NDPs) in shaping local communities and emphasises the need for proactive community support, especially in anticipation of potential changes in government. Neil Kirkland and Katherina Sukstul stress the significance of early and inclusive consultation to strengthen NDPs amidst political transitions. They outline the potential impacts of general elections on NDP efforts, including changes in government policy, influence on local planning authorities, and shifts in community engagement. The blog advises communities to focus on building strong plans, maintaining positive relationships with local authorities, staying informed, and starting early to mitigate disruptions caused by political changes.
Out and about
The Hampshire Association of Local Councils held its annual conference with the theme of Partnership in Action on 20 March 2024, with around sixty delegates and an impressive array of exhibitors. I updated colleagues on our work, including the civility and respect project. It was good to meet up with NALC’s Star Council Awards 2023 Clerk of the Year winner, Andrea Mann from Odiham Parish Council, who highlighted how the Local Council Award Scheme had helped her council’s journey to promote civility and respect. The keynote speaker was Cllr Rob Humby, leader of Hampshire County Council, who stressed the pressures facing local government finance and challenging demands of rising demand and cost. He also thanked local councils and the county association for their work and stressed that partnerships and devolution were crucial to addressing local government problems.
Rural Insight Forum
At this month’s Rural Insight Forum (RIF), we were briefed by government officials on the latest rural proofing report, setting out measures the government had taken to support rural communities and address their specific needs and challenges. It was good to see that local councils have access to the Community Ownership Fund, which they have accessed to support rural communities. We were also briefed on plans to issue discretionary guidance on delivering community benefits for transmission network infrastructure in June, and we will continue to press for local councils to play a key role. I also highlighted the latest council tax statistics and how the current crisis in local government finance was likely to have a detrimental impact on rural communities.
Latest NALC and LGA Corporate Peer Challenge
Our legal services manager, Jane Moore, was with Taunton Town Council in Somerset last week between 18 and 20 March 2024 as part of the council’s Corporate Peer Challenge. This is delivered jointly with the Local Government Association (LGA) and is an improvement and assurance tool aimed at larger councils that is delivered by the sector for the sector. As well as Jane and colleagues from the LGA, the panel of peers also included Cllr Mike Drew, our former vice chair and the Avon Local Councils Association representative on our National Assembly, and Andrew Tubb, chief executive of Cirencester Town Council, which had a peer challenge in 2022. Over the 3 days, the panel talked to councillors, staff and stakeholders, culminating in a feedback report to the town council comprising a series of observations, suggestions and recommendations.
Council tax levels for 2024/25
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published information on council tax levels set by councils in England for the financial year 2024/25. The average Band D precept charged by local precepting bodies (including local councils) for 2024/25 will be £85.88, an increase of £6.74 or 8.5% on 2023/24. Total precepts in 2024/25 are £783 million, £75 million higher than last year and just 1.9% of overall council tax.
Meeting with The Woodland Trust
On 22 March 2024, policy and communications team colleagues met with The Woodland Trust to explore collaboration on climate emergency initiatives. Many of you may remember our previous work with The Woodland Trust to embed the ten principles of the Charter for Trees, Woods, and People within communities across the UK. You can learn more about our climate change work and the Tree Charter project on our website. Highlights from our discussions included how to get more local councils to plant more trees and sign up for their FREE tree planting packs (applications are open now, and successful applications will receive their tree in November 2024) and using their Tree Equity Score, a map-based application designed to help address disparities in urban tree distribution by providing a single measure ranging from 0 to 100. Additionally, the new Trees and Woods at the Heart of Nature Recovery report sets out actions needed to restore woods and trees across the UK for wildlife and communities, revealing that only 7% of UK woods are in good condition for wildlife! Both organisations are committed to continuing to work together and have agreed to meet regularly to progress these discussions and ideas, so watch this space!
And finally…
Staying on the climate change theme, we’ve welcomed The Carbon Literacy Project’s new toolkit for local councils. This helpful resource equips councillors and officers to lead by example, cascade environmentally sustainable and socially responsible values, and engage residents in practical and transformative action. A panel of councils has reviewed and piloted it to help understand and promote Carbon Literacy. The Carbon Literacy Project enables the delivery of a day’s worth of practical and relevant climate action training that maximises the learners’ ability and motivation to contribute to tackling the climate crisis. Over 85,000 learners from over 6,000 organisations have certified Carbon Literate learners across all seven continents! You can find out more about our climate change work on our website.
Rail Strike Action
Changes to Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services from next Thursday 4 April 2024 to Tuesday 9 April 2024 inclusive.
The most affected day is Monday 8 April 2024 when a strike is expected to take place, resulting in no trains on much of the network. It is however important that customers expect changes and check their journeys carefully on all dates in the period.
An overview is available below for your reference. As always, we would welcome your support in sharing this information on your own channels and encouraging customers to check their journey plans for the period Thursday 4 April 2024 to Tuesday 9 April 2024 inclusive.
We’re very sorry for the disruption this will cause. As always, should you have any questions, please let us know.
Best wishes,
Paul,
Paul Codd
Senior Stakeholder Manager
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
Monday 8 April 2024 – Strike
Regrettably, because of strike action there will be no trains on the vast majority of the GTR network on Monday 8 April. The only services that will be running are:
A limited, non-stop, shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.
A limited shuttle service calling at Luton, Luton Airport Parkway and St Pancras International only.
A limited, non-stop, shuttle service between London King’s Cross and Cambridge.
It is important to note that these trains will not stop at any other stations.
We are advising any customers who have no alternative but to travel by train that day to leave plenty of time for their journey, as these limited shuttle services are expected to be very busy and there are likely to be queues to board. Thursday 4 April 2024 to Saturday 6 April 2024 inclusive and Tuesday 9 April 2024 – Overtime ban
A nationwide overtime ban by ASLEF will also be in place from Thursday 4 April until Saturday 6 April inclusive and on Tuesday 9 April. During this time there will be an amended timetable in place with fewer services overall.
These amended timetables have been designed to help passengers plan for their day, providing greater certainty of train times with fewer short-notice on-the-day alterations. Trains will be busier than usual, especially at peak times and customers may have to queue. Gatwick Express will not be running, but Gatwick Airport will continue to be served by Southern and Thameslink trains.
Please note that on Tuesday 9 April, as a knock-on effect of the strike on the previous day, there will be a later start up to services.
Sunday 7 April 2024
All services including the Gatwick Express, will be running on Sunday 7 April, but planned engineering works and industrial action on the previous day and following day will affect certain routes and services on Thameslink and Great Northern. Services on the East Coast Main Line towards Peterborough are expected to be extremely busy with the combination of sporting events and as a follow-on from strike action on long distance services on the Saturday.
Other operators’ services
It is also really important that customers check their entire journey when travelling during this period as other train operators across the country are also impacted by the overtime ban and strikes on different days, which could also make our stations and trains even busier. In addition, on the 8th April when GTR services are expected to be disrupted by strike action, a strike is currently expected on the London Underground.
If a journey involves using another train company, customers must check for any changes to their services and ensure that onward connections are available on the day they are travelling.
Hydrogen powered buses
A partnership between Metrobus (Go Ahead), West Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council, Kent County Council and London Gatwick has won a bid for funding to launch a new fleet of 43 hydrogen powered buses.
The Department for Transport has awarded the partnership over £10 million, which combined with £11.6 million from Metrobus (Go Ahead) and almost £3 million from the other partners brings the total for the project to over £24 million.
West Sussex County Council is the lead partner and Cllr Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at the county council, said:
“Not only is this great news for West Sussex, but it’s great news for the region that we have been successful in our bid for funding and can progress with the rollout of 43 new hydrogen powered buses across the counties.
“This exciting project is another example of our drive to offer low carbon transport options in line with the West Sussex County Council Plan’s theme of protecting the environment, and our priority of developing a sustainable and prosperous economy.”
The buses will operate across a wide area of Sussex, Surrey and Kent to connect rural areas with local towns and London Gatwick. Destinations will include Burgess Hill, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Worthing, Brighton, Caterham, Dorking, Redhill and Tunbridge Wells.
Nick Hill, Commercial Director, Metrobus said: “We are delighted to be awarded match funding from the government’s ZEBRA 2 fund for 43 new hydrogen buses making our hydrogen fleet one of the biggest in the country. Our contribution to this project is £11.6 million which we consider to be a critical investment in providing zero emission buses on the Metrobus network for our customers.
“Buses are one of the most sustainable ways to travel. Hydrogen buses release zero emissions at the tailpipe, helping to reduce carbon emissions and create cleaner air for everyone.
“This project is an excellent example of what can be achieved through partnership working by putting the transport needs of local people first.”
When fully operational, it will be one of the biggest fleets of hydrogen powered buses in the country and the only one operating in rural areas.
Speed limit on road outside of school in Shipley reduced to make children’s journey safer
Children, parents and staffs’ journey to a school in Shipley has been made safer as the speed limit is reduced from 60mph to 30mph on School Lane and Red Lane and 20mph on a section outside of the school.
West Sussex County Council received an application for a speed limit traffic regulation order to reduce the speed from 60mph to 30mph due to many children and parents walking to Shipley CE Primary School from the nearby area. The change was applied in August 2023 and thanks to West Sussex County Council’s new speed limit policy a further reduction to 20mph outside of the school was implemented.
In December 2022 the speed limit policy was approved by Joy Dennis, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, speaking about the policy Joy said: “The policy was introduced to help vulnerable road users and make active travel choices more attractive in West Sussex.
“Part of the policy includes an option for lower speed limits on rural roads and to make it easier for 20mph limits to be introduced outside of schools. The safety of children going to school is of the upmost importance to us so it’s great to see this policy being used effectively in Shipley.
“I hope that this change also encourages children, parents and staff to feel safe and confident to walk or cycle to the school.”
Both the speed limit policy and decision to lower the speed limit supports active travel, which is one of the key aspects of the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022 – 2036, which also underpins the Council Plan priority of supporting a sustainable and prosperous economy.
The applicant of the speed limit traffic regulation order, Sarah Cuthbertson said: “I’m hugely grateful and delighted to West Sussex County Council for approving and implementing the new 20/30MPH zone.
“With cars being faster than ever before, it is so easy to not realise how fast we are driving. Slower speeds are crucial, especially on single carriage roads such as Red Lane and School Lane, which in particular sees a high volume of traffic during term times due to the primary school, but it also doubles up as a popular road for walkers and equestrians too.”
Amanda Jupp, local councillor for Billingshurst who supported this scheme said: “With the introduction of the new 20 mph speed limit outside Shipley School, I hope that this will make it safer for all drivers and school users. My thanks to all who supported it.”
If a community identifies support for a speed limit change – including support from the local County Councillor and Parish Council (if there is one) it will be considered via the existing Traffic Regulation Order or Community Highway Scheme process depending on whether additional measures are required.
2 October 2023 — 12.00 – 13.00
12 October 2023 — 18.30 – 19.30
NALC is working with The Parkinson Partnership LLP to update its 2019 Model Financial Regulations for England and Wales. The model financial regulations are part of a support package that local (parish and town) councils receive through their NALC and county association membership. They are an essential tool for councils of all sizes, setting out the framework within which the council ensures responsible, sustainable and compliant management of its finances.
NALC is seeking views on the technical aspects of the regulations. The responses will inform the revision and content of the model financial regulations.
Empowering young voices in your community
25 October 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15
Local (parish and town) councils have a long history of working with young people in their communities. However, engaging with today’s youth can be challenging, especially with the rapid changes in technology and communication.
This event aims to provide practical tips and guidance on new ways to engage with young people in your community, understand their needs, and gather their views on crucial local topics. By listening to young people’s voices, local councils can empower them to become leaders and spokespeople for change in their communities.
Join us to learn about strategies for engaging with young people that go beyond traditional methods and find out how to get the most out of the local leaders of tomorrow in your area. Our expert speakers will share their experiences creating effective youth engagement programs, using digital tools, and building strong partnerships with schools, youth organisations, and other community stakeholders.
Whether you are a local councillor, community leader, or youth worker, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable wisdom and helpful tips on engaging with young people and empowering them to impact your community positively. Join us and discover how to harness the power of youth voices to create a better future for all.
Speakers: Danny Brown (British Youth Council), Cllr Adam Duce (Godalming Town Council) and Cllr Stefan Heighway (Great Dawley Town Council)
Making the planning system work for local councils
22 November 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15
Planning is undoubtedly the most significant issue affecting most parished communities in England. While the government has retreated from some of its controversial policy commitments from the 2020 white paper, it is time to re-examine the sector’s current concerns about planning in local council areas.
Join us at this exciting event to hear from a national policy stakeholder and relevant planning case studies from the local council sector on improving the planning system to meet local (parish and town) council needs. Our expert speakers will share their knowledge on the challenges and opportunities of planning in local councils and discuss approaches for improving community engagement, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring a fair and transparent planning process.
You will have the opportunity to engage in lively discussions with fellow attendees and learn from the experiences of other local councils facing similar planning challenges. Whether you are a local councillor, community leader, planner, or resident interested in planning issues, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain wisdom on revitalising your community’s planning.
Join us and discover how to work towards a planning system that meets the needs of local councils and empowers communities to shape their future.
Speakers: Richard Blyth (Royal Town Planning Institute), Cllr Sue Camp (Sevenoaks Town Council Planning Committee), Cllr Sanchia Davidson (Wing Parish Council) and Cllr Helen Sunday (Wing Parish Council)
Winning strategies for the funding game
15 December 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15
Local (parish and town) councils play a vital role in their communities, providing essential services and facilities and promoting economic and social development. However, unlike other local authorities, local councils generally cannot directly apply to central government funding.
This event aims to showcase these exceptions and provide information on why it makes sense from a funder’s perspective for local councils to be able to apply for such funds. You will hear from experts and local councils that have successfully secured grant funding. They will share their experiences and tips on navigating the current funding environment and increasing your chances of success.
Join us at this event to discover strategies for winning the funding game. You will learn about the types of funding available to local councils, the eligibility criteria, and the application process. You will also hear about successful case studies that have secured financing and how they have used the funds to benefit their communities.
Whether you are a local councillor, clerk, or community leader, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights on accessing funding sources and making the most of funding opportunities for your community. Join us and learn how to play the funding game and win!
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of social media in the local council sector
28 February 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
Social media can be a powerful tool for local (parish and town) councils to engage with their communities, but it can also be a source of conflict and negativity. This event will explore the benefits and drawbacks of social media use in the sector and provide guidance on how to use it effectively and responsibly.
Join us for a candid discussion on the dos and don’ts of social media in the local council sector. We’ll explore case studies and best practices and provide actionable advice on creating a social media policy that promotes civility and respect. Whether you’re a seasoned social media user or just getting started, this event is a must-attend for anyone who wants to use social media to build stronger communities.
Reconnecting communities through community transport
27 March 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
The provision of community transport has become an increasingly important issue for local (parish and town) councils in recent years. With limited public transport options available in many areas, local councils must step up and support low-cost and sustainable community transport schemes to ensure their communities are connected and can access essential services.
Join us at this event, where we will showcase successful community transport programmes that local councils have implemented. We will also provide details into the national stakeholder scene and how local councils can collaborate with other organisations to improve transport options in their area.
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the benefits of community transport, how to establish partnerships and funding opportunities, and how your local council can make a difference in reconnecting your community through transport.
NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, met with the new Local Government Association (LGA) chair, Cllr Shaun Davies, on 26 September 2023. Keith took the opportunity to congratulate Shaun in person on his election at the LGA Conference in July this year and to highlight the importance of the two organisations, which collectively represent all councils in England, continuing to work closely together. They spoke about their priorities for each organisation (you can read about Shaun’s in his LGA conference speech and Keith’s in his first open letter), many of which are complimentary, and shared ambitions to promote the work of local government and support improvement. Keith was struck by Shaun’s recognition and support for the critical part that local (parish and town) councils play in local government – given he is also a town councillor – and his understanding of the issues and challenges facing our tier of local government. Other topics covered included our respective work on civility and respect and improvement and development. Keith also raised new work by the LGA to develop proposals for a Local Government White Paper to be published before the next general election, proposing that NALC write a section on local councils, which was welcomed and agreed. They also agreed to meet every few months and keep in regular touch.
New chair of the Improvement and Development Board
I am pleased to announce that NALC and SLCC have appointed James Alexander as the new independent chair of the Improvement and Development Board. The board oversees a range of national initiatives that support councils to be ever more effective and ambitious, including the CiLCA qualification and Local Council Award Scheme. James will help us continue driving our improvement strategy for the sector.
NALC urges the government to keep planning local
Responding to the latest Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities consultation on permitted development rights on 25 September 2023, we urged the government to keep planning local and democratic. In our submission, we argued that while we agree that more housing and affordable housing should be built, especially in rural areas, permitted development rights being the sole means to this end was not the answer. We stated these aims should be realised through democratic local planning authorities after consultation with local councils.
NALC and SLCC Design Code Pathfinder Showcase
We co-delivered an online event with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) on the Design Code Pathfinder Programme on 20 September 2023. The event provided updates on how the 25 areas funded since 2022 with the government’s £3 million Design Code Pathfinder Programme – including £30,000 recently awarded to Weymouth Town Council – have used the funding to develop pilot design codes to help improve the look and feel of the built environment in their areas. Cllr Peter Allison, vice chair of NALC’s Policy Committee, chaired the event, which included a presentation on how Herefordshire Council had worked with local councils to create pilot design codes.
Liberal Democrat Party Autumn Conference
The party-political conference season has officially kicked off! I joined a panel event organised by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Local Trust at the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference on 25 September 2023. The panel discussed whether we need to improve representation and participation in local councils or if a new model is required. Liberal Democrat Peer Baroness Pinnock and chief executive of the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors, Cllr Tim Pickstone, stressed the importance of widening participation in our sector and engaging with younger people. The packed fringe event also heard from a committee member at Arches Chatham Neighbourhood Forum, George Atzev, about the challenges of building community governance in one the country’s most deprived areas with limited community assets and an often-transient population. I made the case that local councils (sometimes called community councils) should be at the centre of neighbourhood renewal nationwide. Local Trust also shared its manifesto for community and neighbourhood governance reform. Whilst there are some aspects of their conclusions we might not support, particularly around developing alternative models to local councils, we agree with their emphasis on improving neighbourhood governance, reducing bureaucracy and making it easier to set up local councils. The report illustrates quite bluntly the importance of our sector reaching out to different communities, encouraging participation, delivering for residents and upholding the highest standards so that it is the preferred solution for local governance. NALC’s vice-chair (member services), Cllr Mike Drew, and Management Board member, Cllr Bob Blezzard, were also at the conference with Anders Hansen, member services manager, making a case for why local councils matter and supporting several training sessions for councillors.
New neighbourhood planning and 20-minute neighbourhoods toolkit
The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have published a new toolkit as part of their collection on the 20-minute neighbourhood. Neighbourhood planning gives communities the right to plan and influence development in their area. This practical toolkit, developed with the University of Manchester, aims to empower communities to create and shape their places to face the present and future challenges. It is for anyone interested in starting or working on a neighbourhood plan. By offering a framework for neighbourhood plans based on the 20-minute neighbourhood concept and diverse policy examples, TCPA hopes the toolkit can inspire communities to design healthier, more active and thriving environments for all.
Bexhill Town Council and women’s representation
Bexhill Town Council (which I’m pleased to say NALC helped create in 2021) recently passed a motion for its committees to comprise at least one-third of women. They may be the first council to take this step, and it’s a bold statement of commitment to ensure women’s voices are present across all the council’s work. Charlotte Eisenhart, head of member services at NALC, met with several council members on 25 September 2023 to hear more about how that motion came to be raised and to think about the broader issues of women’s representation, barriers to women standing to be councillors and sharing some of NALC’s work on this. If this topic interests you, you can learn more about our Make a Change campaign and women councillors network, let us know if the town council aren’t alone in taking this step.
On the blog: Forestry Commission
This week’s blog is from the chief executive of the Forestry Commission, Richard Stanford MBE. He writes on the significance of supporting your communities through tree planting, as with growing environmental pressures to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, never has it been a more important time to grow trees. Both the government and local authorities share a common goal to halt the decline in biodiversity and achieve net zero by 2050. The blog shares case studies on helping local authorities respond to biodiversity and climate emergencies. Check out the blog to find out more!
National Network: Coastal communities
Our national network on coastal communities for local councils in coastal areas held its latest online meeting on 26 September 2023. Senior researcher at the think tank Onward, Jenevieve Treadwell, gave a presentation on their research report Troubled Waters: Tackling the crisis on England’s coast, which was published last week. Issues covered during questions and discussion included the challenges in delivering housing, especially affordable housing and ensuring community support. The network also discussed how coastal communities deal with anti-social behaviour where members shared experiences from their areas, including how they work with other agencies. Rebecca Macdonald-Loftus from the LGA’s Coastal Special Interest Group (SIG) provided an update on their work. The SIG is pushing for better metrics from the government on coastal communities to ensure what is happening gets picked up and not absorbed in wider data. The Motion for the Ocean has now been supported by 18 councils, including some local councils, and Rebecca strongly urged the network to consider supporting and promoting the motion. The SIG is also calling for a coastal minister, as this responsibility doesn’t rest with any government minister, and is engaging with a new coastal policy group set up within DLUHC. Pledge For The Coast will be the SIG’s next campaign, launching on 17 October 2023, calling on everyone (whether you live in a coastal area or not) to do something to support the coast – more details will be available shortly. The network’s next meeting is on 23 November. If you’re a local council in a coastal area and want to connect with your colleagues, please do sign up for the network.
National Network: Super councils
This year’s third online meeting of the super councils network took place on 21 September 2023. The network responded to their views on an emerging policy on a higher trigger for local council by-elections. Our current positions on parish polls were also discussed, and updates were provided on the responses to the latest government consultations on hedgerows, permitted development rights and local plans. Super councils interested in participating in the NALC/LGA Corporate Peer Challenge programme are asked to send expressions of interest to anders.hanson@nalc.gov.uk.
County association conference and events
Our head of policy and communications, Justin Griggs, was at the Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC) Annual General Meeting and Conference on 21 September 2023 at the JobServe Community Stadium, home of Colchester United Football Club. It was great to see the critical work of the county association in building relationships with other public services in the county directly reflected in the event as it was held in conjunction with the Essex County Council. Speakers included the council’s deputy leader, the chief constable, the chief fire officer, and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. In his opening remarks, the commissioner thanked local councils for everything they do, adding, “Community safety is the bedrock to building prosperity and pride in our communities… where we have them, local councils provide more social cohesion and civic pride… you are people we can talk to, which makes a huge difference”. On having reduced anti-social behaviour by two-thirds over the last year, he added, “That is a result of partnership working with you and the local intelligence you provide”. In a panel session, Justin spoke about the role of local councils in building strong communities, the support provided by NALC and EALC to help local councils unleash their potential, and what more communities can do to help vulnerable people. It was also great to see and catch up with several of NALC’s partner organisations supporting the conference, including Blachere Illumination, CCLA, The Parkinson Partnership and Utility Aid. Well done, EALC colleagues, on a great event!
And finally…
I’m pleased there has been so much interest in the free events as part of our consultation on the Model Financial Regulations. There’s still time to book your place at an event and complete the survey. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to help us ensure this document continues to be a valuable resource to local councils.
NALC pushes local council hedgerow protection role
We have urged the government to simplify the rules to protect hedgerows and give local (parish and town) councils a more significant role. Responding this week to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consultation on hedgerow protection, NALC argued that the current Hedgerow Regulations 1997 should be simplified to make them easier to understand, more widely applied and give communities represented by local councils a more significant say in hedgerow protection in their areas. We also called for local councils to be consulted before hedgerows are removed and that the government should prioritise hedgerow protection like trees.
NALC Management Board
NALC’s Management Board, which oversees our work, met this week and considered how to improve our internal committee management and support to our councillors. The board agreed on a request to resource the Improvement and Development Board’s ability to support the civility and respect work, approved a note on our strategic direction for inclusion in this year’s Annual Report, and considered NALC’s involvement in political party conferences. The board also supported the Finance and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation to our National Assembly of a 3% increase in affiliation fees for 2024/25, which will be considered at this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The proposed fee is 7.94 pence per elector, capped at £2,037 for larger councils. Our constitution requires fees to be paid annually through county associations that make their first instalment of 80% by the end of June and the final balancing sum by the end of September, reflecting the latest electorate of member councils. I want to thank all member councils for their continued support and all our county associations for paying the first tranche of the 2023/24 affiliation fee so promptly this year. We very much appreciate the work they do on this on our behalf. This year, we used a new system for capturing the electorate and membership data, and we are pleased that this resulted in a much simpler approach. The total electorate we represent now stands at around 16 million and is growing!
Jo Cox Civility Commission
Colleagues from our member services team met recently with Hannah Phillips, who joined the Jo Cox Civility Commission in July 2023 as the research and policy manager. The commission was set up following the murder of British MP Jo Cox. The aim is to find practical recommendations to address the problem of violence, abuse and intimidation of elected representatives. They have called for evidence to develop support, guidance, resources and best practices. The commission has already engaged with over 100 stakeholders and knows local councils are also affected. The Local Government Association survey of local councillors in 2022 found that 88% had experienced abuse and intimidation in fulfilling their roles. They aim to draft recommendations, which they seek to publish in January 2024. We advised them about the work done by the Civility and Respect Project and the aims for further improvement work that we would like to see included in their report.
County Councils Network parliamentary event
I was pleased to join NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, and head of policy and communications, Justin Griggs, at a parliamentary reception hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Counties and County Councils Network (CCN) on 19 September 2023. CCN are among the many organisations represented on the judging panels which are currently meeting to assess applications to NALC’s Star Councils Awards, so it was good to thank them for their help! The event also provided an excellent opportunity to engage with councillors, officers and other stakeholders and talk about the work of our tier of local government. Speaking at the event, local government minister Lee Rowley MP thanked local government for the “fantastic work that goes on in the sector” before acknowledging the challenges facing councils, such as inflation and rising demand and committing to “advocate for you and try to make the case to ensure you have resources you need in the coming years ahead”. Check out CCN’s Twitter for a few other highlights and photos from the event.
Coastal communities report and next meeting of NALC national network
Among the organisations I was pleased to catch up with at the CCN event was the think tank Onward (who are also among the NALC Star Councils Awards judges!). It was good to hear firsthand about their latest research report published just that day, Troubled Waters: Tackling the crisis on England’s coast, which uncovers the challenges facing coastal communities. The report urges the government to commit to levelling up England’s struggling seaside towns, or risk a political tidal wave at the next general election. It highlights that communities set within 5km of England’s coast are poorer, sicker and more crime-ridden than their inland neighbours and calls for a £500m regeneration package. We’ve invited Onward colleagues to speak about the report at next week’s meeting of the NALC National Network: Coastal Communities which takes place on Tuesday 26 September from 12.00 to 13.15. The agenda also includes an update from the Local Government Association’s coastal special interest group, dealing with anti-social behaviour, undertaking a survey to inform the network’s future work and priorities, and an open forum for sharing information and good practice. If you haven’t joined the network yet and would like to attend next week, you can sign up here.
Natural England
Natural England is the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. Its purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment to benefit present and future generations. Its chair, Tony Juniper, spoke at our conference last November during the climate change session and agreed to set up a meeting to discuss how we could work together. NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens and I met Tony’s senior officials this week and discussed local councils’ role in supporting their work and the importance of engaging effectively with councils and county associations, especially around developing local nature recovery strategies. We also used the opportunity to flag up concerns expressed by some councils about urban gull management and reiterate our ask that Natural England rethink its approach of not issuing licenses to control the number of urban gulls.
English Rural Report on affordable housing
English Rural Housing Association published a report on Land, Landowners and the Delivery of Affordable Homes in Rural Areas on 11 September 2023. The report’s main argument is that the need for affordable housing extends beyond city limits, often hitting rural communities hardest due to unique challenges such as high property prices and low average incomes. Rural Exception Sites have become a beacon of hope for such communities as these sites are designed to provide affordable homes that meet current local housing needs and remain perpetually. The report delves into relevant case studies that bring to life the transformative power of Rural Exception Sites, which I was pleased to see cite local councils as integral to the process and includes eight local council examples.
On the blog: The Great British Beach Clean
This week’s blog is from the Marine Conservation Society, which hosts the Great British Beach Clean to help clean up the coastline and fight for a cleaner, better-protected, healthier ocean! This year, it’s taking place between 15 and 24 September 2023. This cause is essential since it is estimated that every minute, one rubbish truck’s worth of plastic makes its way into the ocean, equating to thousands of millions of tonnes per year. The blog lists a few ways you can help support your local community by joining the Great British Beach Clean. These include spreading the word about beach cleans that have already been organised, using the Marine Conservation Society’s comms toolkit, attending an event, or arranging your own event. Read the blog to find out more about how you can get involved in the Great British Beach Clean!
County associations events
Last week, member services manager Anders Hanson attended the East Riding and North Lincolnshire Local Councils Association (ERNLLCA) Conference and AGM. This was an opportunity to meet councillors, clerks and partner organisations. Anders gave a presentation on the Local Council Award Scheme, encouraging more councils to participate — you can find out more about the scheme on our website. And last week NALC solicitor Gurvynda Padden-White and I attended the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Association of Local Councils (CAPALC) Annual Conference. It was good to see so many committed councillors and clerks there and, in a busy programme, it was encouraging to hear Stephen Moir, the chief executive of Cambridgeshire County Council, stress the critical part our sector plays and that the county association was one of its key partners. I spoke about NALC’s vision in our manifesto and what we are doing to help achieve it. Gurvynda briefed them on topical legal issues, including the biodiversity duty, the latest on remote meetings and fox hunting.
Fortnightly meeting with county officers
This week’s fortnightly online meeting between NALC and county association officers had a packed agenda. Pageantmaster Bruno Peek talked about next year’s 80th-anniversary commemorations of D-Day, including lighting beacons across the country and eating fish and chips. Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) lead, trainer and mentor Sue Hobbs from the Society of Local Council Clerks also attended to provide an update on the CiLCA qualification and the importance of county associations returning their Service Level Agreement form. There were also brief updates on the NALC Annual General Meeting, our committee elections, legal topic notes, and council insurance.
Update on pay negotiations
The full National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services Trade Union Side met this week to discuss the National Employers’ full and final pay offer, which they received on 23 February 2023. No decision on the pay offer was reached. The unions did though agree to reconvene within a few days of GMB’s strike ballots closing. You can find more information on the LGA’s website. This continued delay to a final decision on a pay settlement due in April 2023 is very frustrating indeed.
And finally…
Last week, the government launched the £1 billion Great British Insulation Scheme to help some families insulate their homes. Families in lower council tax bands with less energy-efficient homes will be offered upgrades such as roof, loft or cavity wall insulation. Customers can use an online checker for the Great British Insulation Scheme to determine eligibility. The tool will ask a series of questions – including how they heat their home, whether their home has solid or cavity walls, and if they are receiving any benefits. A separate online checker has also been launched for the Home Upgrade Grant, which will help off-the-gas-grid homes with an energy performance certificate rating of D to G. The grant provides energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating to households in England. Customers using the online tools will then be referred to either their energy supplier for support from the Energy Company Obligation programme and Great British Insulation Scheme or their council for the Home Upgrade Grant.
West Sussex Early Years
“Science tells us that a child’s experiences from conception through their first five years will go on to shape their next 50.” – Jason Knauf, CEO of the Royal Foundation, December 2020
West Sussex County Council and Integrated Care Board are on an exciting journey together to further develop services within Early Years and Childcare. We want to work in closer partnership to improve outcomes for children and families. As a result, we are developing a joint Early Years and Childcare Strategy.
We would really like input from a range of services and stakeholders to help achieve this, including parents, carers and those who have an interest in Early Years and Childcare. We would also like to hear from you if you are expecting to or have accessed services for children in the past.
For the strategy to be successful we would welcome your input into its design and identifying the priority areas to be developed. If you would like to have your say, then please complete the survey.
Thank you in advance for engaging in this important piece of work that will support improved outcomes, services and provision for our children and their families.
Jo Cox Civility Commission
NALC recently met with the Jo Cox Civility Commission which aims to find practical recommendations to address the complex problem of violence, abuse and intimidation of elected representatives at all levels, including local councillors.
We raised the strong desire in the sector for the return of sanctions which they said mirrored what they heard in their consultations across all stakeholders which was positive to hear. While they had already received a number of submissions from town and parish councils they agreed to extend the deadline to allow more councils to submit evidence to the commission.
Please could you circulate this email to your members and advise them that if they would like to submit evidence to the commission, particularly suggestions for concrete recommendations, to please share their ideas with the Commission by the end of September. This can be done by completing the online form or submitting the word document to commission@jocoxfoundation.org or sharing their inputs by email.
Have your say on the future of active travel in West Sussex
Public consultation has begun on the future of active travel in West Sussex. The proposals that are being put forward set out how we can deliver improved walking, wheeling and cycling facilities across the county.
We are seeking your feedback on two important documents related to the way that we travel:
Our draft Active Travel Strategy, which sets out our vision and goals for active travel in the county for the next decade and beyond.
Our draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which identifies key locations where WSCC wants to invest in active travel.
Have your say
You can find out more about the suggested improvements by visiting the project’s website:
On the website you can read the draft Active Travel Strategy and LCWIP in full and have your say by completing a survey. The survey closes on 15 November 2023.
We would like to gain as many responses as possible, so please share details of these proposals through your networks. Your feedback is vital in shaping the final versions of the Active Travel Strategy and LCWIP, which are expected to be published in early 2024.
If you would like any of the materials in alternative formats, or have any questions, please email us at activetravel@westsussex.gov.uk or by telephone on 01243 642105 and we will do our best to assist you. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 (01243 642105).
East Grinstead motorbikes
EGTC staff had requested that the PCSOs come to town on Friday to apprehend the motorcycle that was ripping up East Court. Delighted to advise that they sent the below note through on Friday afternoon and this was also posted on Facebook as to the successful removal of the bike from our streets.
For info PC Hawkins, PCSO Raven-Eagle, and myself have seized one of the motor bikes being driven around EG (it was the one from East Court last week), we also got the driver and pillion passenger who will both be dealt with for various offences.
Mid Sussex DC have advised that they have received two Release of S106 funding applications from East Grinstead groups for the latest funding round
One from East Grinstead Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club for £17,790 toward resurfacing the squash courts and installing a viewing gallery, which can be funded from S106 contributions received in respect of the Bell Hammer, Ship Street development (DM/18/1762) which are allocated to the club, and
One from East Grinstead Sports Club for £27,000 toward the cost of four new padel tennis courts which can be funded through s106 contributions from developments at Land at Felbridge Nursery (12/00386/FUL) and Land at St Lukes House (12/00439/FUL)
If any councillor has any objection to these awards please could you let the Clerk know the basis of the objection, by the end of the week in order to advise MSDC.
Levelling Up Committee Chair writes to Government on RAAC housing risks
Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee has written to Lee Rowley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Local Government and Building Safety) to request an update on the Department’s assessment of the risk of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in social and private housing.
Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee, said: “There are well-publicised concerns about the use of RAAC in public buildings such as schools and hospitals but there is also concern about the use of RAAC in housing. It’s important the Government spells out its assessment of the risk in residential buildings, in social housing and local authorities’ estates and what guidance it is giving to residents and landlords on the risk of RAAC.”
The Committee’s correspondence asks a series of questions, including regarding the Government guidance provided to residents and landlords and on what funding will be made available to mitigate the risk of RAAC in social housing and local authorities’ estates.
Community Safety Partnerships across West Sussex are asking residents how safe they feel in their local communities.
The online consultation, which launches on Monday 18 September, will be open to people of all ages to share their experiences of crime and anti-social behaviour in their local areas and will take around 10 minutes to complete.
The responses will allow the partnerships to further improve their understanding of the local communities and see whether their current priorities reflect the experiences of the residents living there.
Information from the consultation will be shared with the Safer West Sussex Partnership, which brings together the six district and borough Community Safety Partnerships, along with Sussex Police, the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, West Sussex Fire and Rescue, West Sussex County Council and other key agencies.
Mark Andrews, Chair of the Safer West Sussex Partnership, said: “The Community Safety consultation is an excellent opportunity for all residents of West Sussex to have their say on crime and anti-social behaviour in their local neighbourhood.
“It is a really important subject that affects everyone, and many people will have experienced or witnessed different issues in their surroundings, which they may or may not have reported.
“We hope that this consultation will give people the opportunity to have their say anonymously and help make their neighbourhood a safer place to live.”
Anyone without access to the internet, or who may struggle with filling in online forms, is encouraged to visit a West Sussex library, where free Wi-Fi and computers with internet access are available.
Library members may use the computers for free, for a maximum of two hours per day and if you are not a member, you can join on arrival at no cost.
Libraries also have Digital Volunteers available who offer free help in libraries and can support residents to complete the consultation. To arrange this, please contact the Library Digital Support team on 0330 222 3455 or library.digital.support@westsussex.gov.uk.
For those that would prefer a paper copy, this can be requested by calling 01243 777100 or emailing communitysafety.wellbeing@westsussex.gov.uk. Paper copies will be supplied with a return free post envelope.
Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments appoints new chief executive
I am pleased to report that the Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA) board has announced the appointment of its new chief executive, Annie Child, to support its development plans over the next few years. Annie will join SAAA this month after nearly 19 years in various local government roles, including the last five years as clerk to Salisbury City Council. I’m delighted with the news and look forward to working closely with her and the board to improve accountability and governance in the smaller authority sector. I am sure you will want to join me in thanking her predecessor, Howard Midworth, for all his work setting up the new company and system.
NALC partners with De Montfort University to conduct a local election survey
We’ve partnered with the De Montfort University (DMU) Local Governance Research Centre to open a survey for local (parish and town) councils and county associations on the 2023 local elections to understand better and improve the dynamics of local council elections. The research aims to gather insights into the complexities of local elections, ultimately enhancing support mechanisms for their smooth execution and reducing the necessity of co-option. I’d urge local councils and county associations directly involved in the 4 May 2023 elections to complete the survey.
Model Financial Regulations consultation free events
As part of the consultations to inform an update to our Model Financial Regulations, we will hold two free events next month. Taking place on 2 October 2023 at midday and 12 October 2023 at 6.30 pm. The events will provide an opportunity to speak directly with Steve Parkinson from The Parkinson Partnership LLP, who is working with us to update this essential document for our members. If you want to raise issues outside what is asked in our online survey or prefer a conversation to providing written feedback, then this is your opportunity to engage with this review in a way that works best for you.
NALC National Network: Young councillors
NALC’s young councillors network met on 31 August 2023. The network proposed appointing co-chairs to help lead, shape and run network meetings. This will be discussed further and finalised at their next meeting, and we will provide further updates when they are available. The network also discussed support for young councillors and the benefit of a simplified guide for new young councillors to help them through their time in office, especially the first few weeks and months. They also agreed to conduct a survey of young councillors which will include getting more feedback on the network and its work over the next few years. We’ll be circulating the survey soon so do keep an eye out! The network will also be trialling an extra meeting in the coming weeks but in the evening rather than at lunchtime, the date is to be confirmed shortly, and the next scheduled meeting is on 8 November 2023. Learn more about the network and how to join!
Finance and Scrutiny Committee
NALC’s Finance and Scrutiny Committee met on 5 September 2023 and welcomed Cllr Mike Scott (Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils) as a new member. The committee was joined by Stephen Sampson from our auditors Milton Avis to present the audited accounts for the year to 31 March 2023, which were approved subject to some final presentation changes. The Committee also agreed to recommend for further consideration, including by our national assembly and AGM, an increase in affiliation fees for 2024/25 to 7.94 pence per elector, capped at £2037 for larger councils. Other matters noted included the latest management accounts which were on track with budget and councillors also discussed their developing scrutiny role.
Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance
The Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) met on 4 September 2023 to agree its plans for updating the Practitioners Guide’ for the 2024/25 financial year. The meeting also considered proposals from our partners, the Internal Audit Forum, on changes to guidance to maximise the potential of internal audit to support councils’ governance and transparency. JPAG also considered how it might enhance its capacity to support accountability and governance amongst smaller authorities and has committed to developing a business proposal over the coming months. You can find out more about the work of JPAG on our website.
On the blog: Royal British Legion
This week’s blog is by Luke Lancaster from the Royal British Legion (RBL), who writes about their recently launched Councillor Network which aims to enhance the support they provide to those who serve in local government. Joining the RBL’s Councillor Network is the best way of staying informed about issues facing the Armed Forces community and all elected representatives from all levels of local government are welcome to sign up! Read the blog to find out more, and email councillornetwork@britishlegion.org.uk to learn more about the network.
Meeting with the Society of Local Council Clerks
I was pleased to meet with Rob Smith, chief executive of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), on 5 September 2023 in London, where we also brought together several colleagues from our two organisations. The get-together was an excellent opportunity for colleagues to meet face to face, some for the first time given our locations in London and Taunton, coupled with much of our communication since the pandemic has been conducted online. It was good to catch up on the challenges we face as membership bodies and discuss how we can collaborate more closely to deliver the shared ambitions of our memorandum of understanding. Specific issues covered included our work on climate change, holding joint regional events involving county associations and the SLCC branches, getting input from SLCC on the review of our risk register, and discussing principles to underpin our approach to securing funding for sector support on areas such as audit and Martyn’s Law.
Morecambe Town Council Corporate Peer Challenge report published!
We, alongside the Local Government Association (LGA), have published Morecambe Town Council’s Corporate Peer Challenge report. The report outlines key recommendations, a summary of the peer challenge approach, feedback, priorities and outcomes, organisational and place leadership, governance and culture, financial planning and management, capacity to improve, and the next steps. The Corporate Peer Challenge is part of our partnership with the LGA and improvement work with local councils. We are also seeking super councils (local councils with an annual precept of over £1m or an annual turnover of over £1.5m) interested in taking part in the Corporate Peer Challenge. To submit your interest, please contact NALC at anders.hanson@nalc.gov.uk.
Fortnightly county officers call
In this week’s meeting between NALC and county officers, we discussed the problem of buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), how this may affect the sector and any queries received by county associations so far. There were also several updates on the work of the Improvement and Development Board and the appointment of its new chair and the recent meetings of the Finance and Scrutiny Committee and JPAG. Following the previous meeting, there was more information on handling some of the requirements banks are making on local councils.
Planning guides survey
A quick reminder that we’re still collecting feedback on several planning guides. We are working with the Campaign to Protect Rural England to update Planning Explained, How to Respond to Planning Applications, and How to Shape Where You Live: A Guide to Neighbourhood Planning. These guides provide easy-to-use planning advice to our members, networks and the general public. We’re in the early stages of preparing to update all three guides to better reflect the current legislative and cultural climate. To help us, we’d welcome your feedback on the existing guides, so please complete the short survey. If you have any queries or additional comments, please contact the CPRE planning team at planning@cpre.org.uk or NALC at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk.
And finally…
Our long-term partners, BHIB Council Insurance, have changed their name to Clear Councils Insurance following the merger into their parent company, The Clear Group, with effect from 1 September 2023. Over the past five years, NALC has worked closely with our partners and witnessed first-hand their dedication to the sector. Their proactive engagement with local councils, county associations and stakeholders shows their desire to understand the needs of communities genuinely. Their commitment to the sector and working closely with NALC and county associations will go from strength to strength and can help make a lasting impact on the sector.
NALC launches consultation to update the Model Financial Regulations
We’re working with The Parkinson Partnership LLP to update the 2019 Model Financial Regulations for England and Wales. The model financial regulations are part of a support package that local (parish and town) councils receive through their NALC and county association membership. They are an essential tool for councils of all sizes, setting out the framework within which the council ensures responsible, sustainable and compliant management of its finances. To help us with the update, we’re seeking views on the technical aspects of the regulations, and the responses will inform the revision and content of these regulations. To submit your views, please complete the form by 5 November 2023.
Centre for Ageing Better
One of our campaigns has been health and wellbeing. We’ve worked closely with the Centre for Ageing Better in recent years to flag up the role and potential of local councils in making ageing better a reality for everyone. Several councillors and councils (including our vice-chair (member services), Cllr Mike Drew’s, Yate Town Council) are working to develop age-friendly communities or become champions. The centre has also participated in our events, and we have actively promoted their work. We agreed this week to explore with our largest councils how they could develop further their participation in this critical area, and I will keep you posted on developments.
Making Music!
Making Music is the UK’s membership organisation for leisure-time music, with around 3,850 groups representing about 228,000 music makers, many of which operate within local council areas. I met their chief executive, Barbara Eifler, on 23 August 2023 where we agreed there are several issues of mutual interest which we could work on to the benefit of our respective members. These include the Terrorism Bill, how our sector can support music makers, primarily through access to facilities, and how we can encourage some of those musicians to get involved in the work of their local councils. We also agreed to collaborate on some events and promote each other’s work.
Rural Insight Forum
This week’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Rural Insight Forum discussed the current consultation on extending permitted development rights, which seeks views on nature-based solutions, farm efficiency projects and diversification. The meeting provided an opportunity to raise with senior government officials concerns about the proposals’ impact on high streets, loss of democratic control of the planning system and the importance of resourcing planning departments adequately. We will be responding to the consultation through NALC’s Policy Committee. The meeting also provided the opportunity to highlight our recently launched webpage dedicated to planning.
Million Hours Fund
I was pleased to read the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) press release on 28 August 2023 to highlight the work of Central Swindon North Parish Council, which is “using £6,500 to deliver sport, dance and forestry sessions”. The Million Hours Fund, supported by the National Lottery, is designed to help a range of youth services, offering a variety of positive activities. These grants were for this year’s summer holidays. Stroud Town Council also received £3,600 for helping young people create vibrant street art. Our sector can engage and help young people in many ways, and you can read about other examples and support available on our website.
On the blog: LGA Independent Group
This week’s blog is written by the Local Government Associations (LGA) Independent Group leader, Cllr Marianne Overton MBE. The blog covers the theme of our fringe event at the LGA Annual Conference on 5 July 2023 on why parish councils matter, where LGA’s political groups joined us to share what they think. She writes about the importance of first-tier authorities due to their ability to provide rapid, locally led responses to national events like COVID-19. Local councils are vital because they can uniquely address the needs of their communities. Read the blog to find out more!
National Network: Women councillors
Our following national network meeting for women councillors is on 7 September 2023. At the last network meeting, the network appointed two new co-chairs and discussed how to make the network more effective. The next meeting will discuss NALC achieving White Ribbon accreditation, share ideas of how NALC and the network can encourage more local councils to become White Ribbon accredited and create a survey to receive feedback on the network and its work over coming years. Learn more about the network and how to get involved!
And finally…
“The message is take your litter home or put it in the bin!”. Sound advice and a good soundbite from Malmesbury Town Council mayor and former chief executive of Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), Gavin Grant, on BBC Breakfast on 29 August 2023, which profiled a local volunteer litter picking scheme clearing up their local community
This week on 23 August 2023, we launched our governance elections, inviting National Assembly members to elect the NALC chair, vice-chairs and committee members. The process will take 14 weeks, with the results announced on 29 November 2023. There are opportunities for councillors and clerks who are not members of the National Assembly to get involved too! To encourage participation and representation from all backgrounds, these individuals can stand for direct elections to the Larger Councils Committee and the Smaller Councils Committee. We’ve created a dedicated webpage outlining committee information, election seats and timelines to support the process. We have also partnered with UK Engage to manage online elections to ensure a smooth and streamlined process. This innovative approach will facilitate a more accessible and efficient voting procedure.
Local Council Award Scheme
We also announced the latest Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) results on 23 August 2023. Congratulations to the latest local (parish and town) councils to be accredited under the LCAS. LCAS celebrates the best of local councils, helps them develop their potential, and recognises that they are well-run and meet the required standards. The latest councils accredited with the Quality Gold Award are Wen Rural Parish Council and Westerham Town Council. Bletchley & Fenny Stratford Town Council, City of Durham Parish Council, Waddesdon Parish Council, and Whitchurch Town Council were accredited with the Quality Award. And Bingham Town Council, Chalfont St Giles Parish Council, Honiton Town Council, Knaresborough Town Council, Roade Parish Council, and Selby Town Council were accredited with the Foundation Award. Well done to everyone involved. You can learn more about the scheme and how to apply on our website.
National Network: LGBT+ councillors
On behalf of NALC’s national network for LGBT+ councillors, we launched a survey on 22 August 2023 to help shape the network’s future. The survey aims to gain insight into the experiences of the LGBT+ community from the sector. The survey responses will help co-champions, Cllr Andy Snape (Flitwick Town Council) and Cllr Luke Trevaskis (Morecambe Town Council), improve future meetings, focus on the network’s goals, and boost LGBT+ visibility in the sector. Please complete the survey as soon as possible.
On the blog: LGA Liberal Democrats Group
This week’s blog is written by the leader of the Local Government Associations (LGA) Liberal Democrats Group, Cllr Joe Harris. The blog covers the theme of our fringe event at the LGA Annual Conference on 5 July 2023 on why parish councils matter, where LGA’s political groups joined us to share what they think. He writes about how local councils play a crucial role in local democracy by serving as the community’s voice and shares six key areas where he believes local councils excel. Read the blog to find out more!
National Network: Young councillors
Our following national network for young councillors meeting is on 31 August 2023. At the last network meeting, the network discussed how to make it more effective, how to get young people involved in local politics by engaging with local schools, how to ensure young councillors are adequately supported throughout their time in office and supported the idea of a mentoring programme or induction pack for young councillors with tips and advice. Learn more about the network and how to get involved!
Fortnightly county officers call
In this week’s meeting between NALC and county officers, we discussed some challenges local councils face in obtaining suitable insurance and banking arrangements. NALC highlighted its ongoing work with partners to help advise the insurance and banking sector on the needs of local councils. NALC will be putting together guidance on this topic. There was also a discussion about the sector risk register and how county associations manage risks and business continuity.
Design Code Pathfinder Showcase
We have teamed up with the Society of Local Council Clerks to hold a FREE online event about the Design Code Pathfinder Programme on 20 September 2023. You will hear from the government’s new Office for Place to hear more about the programme and the work local authorities and neighbourhood planning group partners have undertaken to deliver more healthy, beautiful, and sustainable places. Design Codes have come to the fore, especially following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework in 2021, highlighting their role by local planning authorities, developers and communities. This includes local councils, which many expect to be at the forefront of their development. The event is for councillors and clerks, and if you’re a clerk, you will claim 1 CPD point for attending this webinar!
Local MP meets with Littleport Town Council to discuss youth provisions
Lucy Frazer MP, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, met with Littleport Town Council to explore ways of improving youth provision across the area. She visited Littleport Youth and Community Centre on 4 August 2023, where she spoke to council representatives about their work to engage the youth in the area. They also discussed ideas for expanding provisions to more young people who are currently short of access to services. It’s great to see MPs visit local councils across England. I’d urge councils to contact their local MP to organise a visit to share information about all the fantastic work councils do for their communities.
And finally…
On 22 August 2023, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched the Coronation Living Heritage Fund for applications. The fund will support local tree-planting projects across communities to celebrate the King’s Coronation. Applications are welcome from district, borough, city, and county councils, unitary authorities, and metropolitan boroughs. Parish, community and town councils and community groups should apply through the above’s tree officers or environmental team. The application window will be open until 26 September 2023. Councils can apply for an amount between £10,000 and £50,000 per option for one or both of the following options; Coronation Micro Woods (enabling councils to plant miniature areas of rapidly establishing woodland in urban areas) and Coronation Community Orchards (enabling councils to provide grants to local people and groups to establish community orchards).
Grow Digital West Sussex
Bookings are now open for free events aimed at helping West Sussex businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs and win customers through digital growth. Read more and book onto a free event
Ticket office closure consultation
Consultation response submitted 28th August with thanks to those councillors who sent comments and the consultation group of Cllrs Farren, M Belsey, Ody, Mockford and Whittaker.
