Mid Sussex draft District Plan 2021-2039 – Regulation 19 Consultation
Dear Town and Parish Councils,
Following Regulation 19 consultation, I am writing to inform you that the draft District Plan 2021-2039 has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINs) for Examination in Public.
We are anticipating the Examination to take place around late October / early November 2024. We will of course update you when we hear more from PINs.
Mid Sussex District Council – Notice of Proposals Off Street Parking Spaces
Please find attached a copy of the Notice of Proposals, Statement of Reasons and the draft Amendment Order, relating to the proposed changes to the charging hours for off street parking in the District. The Notice of Proposals will appear in the Mid Sussex Times on 11 July 2024 and will be displayed within the relevant car parks. We will make the necessary documents available for public inspection at our offices.
Any objections to the proposals must be made via email to parkingconsultation@midsussex.gov.uk or in writing specifying the grounds of objection to the Monitoring Officer, Mid Sussex District Council, Oaklands, Oaklands Road, Heath RH16 1SS. Any objections must be received no later than 12 noon on 2 August 2024.
West Sussex County Council proposes to make a permanent Traffic Regulation Order that will prohibit waiting at any time (introduce double yellow lines) on both sides of De La Warr Road in East Grinstead from a point 25m east of its junction with Church Lane, westwards for appx 95m.
In addition to these new restrictions the Order also enacts a scheme of revised waiting restrictions in the Lowdells Lane area of East Grinstead advertised in March 2021. These restrictions were approved following public consultation but could not be installed before the proposed order timed out. The proposed restrictions have all been installed and this part of the Order has no effect other than to make restrictions already present on site legally enforceable.
Notice is also hereby given that West Sussex County Council, under the provisions of the Highways Act 1980 (Traffic calming) Regulations intends to install two raised traffic calming features on De La Warr Road in East Grinstead.
These features will be full width speed tables, with one located immediately east of its junction with Church Lane, and the other located on the bend in the road, west of its junction with Church Lane. Both features will be appx 65mm high and constructed in black McAdam.
Below is a link to the TRO Team’s consultation web page, containing plans showing the new parking restriction, the public notice, statement of reasons for proposing the Order, and the draft Order itself. I should be grateful if you could accept this message as the formal consultation on the proposed new Order. If you wish to make any comments or objections to the scheme, please make them to me by e-mail before 1 August 2024.
The next meeting of GATCOM will be held on Tuesday 16 July 2024 commencing at 10.00am. The agenda papers for the meeting are attached. The agenda papers are also available on GATCOM’s website.
Please note the meeting will be held virtually, via MS Teams. Members of the public are welcome to observe the meeting. To register your interest to observe the meeting please contact the GATCOM Secretariat by reply to this email by no later than close of business on Monday 15 July.
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NALC News
Chief executive’s bulletin
11 July 2024
General Election 2024 and new government
The Labour Party won a large majority in last week’s General Election and now form the new government, with Sir Keir Starmer MP becoming prime minister. Here’s a summary of the results and some key developments:
Labour won 411 seats, up 209 on their total from the 2019 election. The Conservatives won 121 seats, down 244 from their 2019 total of 365 seats. The Liberal Democrats gained 61 seats for a total of 72, while Reform won 5 seats and the Green Party won 4.
335 successful candidates are becoming Members of Parliament for the first time, and among them are some current or former parish and town councillors!
In his first address to the nation outside Number 10 Downing Street, the prime minister said his government will be one of “service”. He emphasised his mandate stating “…we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect for politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives and unite our country”. He concluded by saying “So, with respect and humility, I invite you all to join this Government of service in the mission of national renewal”.
In the new Cabinet, Angela Rayner MP was appointed deputy prime minister and secretary of state in the renamed Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Jim McMahon MP and Matthew Pennycook MP have become ministers of state, with Alex Norris MP, Rushanara Ali MP, Lord Khan of Burnley and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage were each appointed as a parliamentary under secretary of state. Specific responsibilities are yet to be announced.
Other cabinet appointments include Rachel Reeves MP as the chancellor of the exchequer, Steve Reed MP as the secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Yvette Cooper MP as the Home Secretary and Lisa Nandy MP as the secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport.
Our chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, has already commenced our engagement with new ministers, including congratulating Angela Rayner MP and Jim McMahon MP (who is likely to be the minister for local government).
And our advocacy with the new government and Parliament, as well as the political parties, will continue over the coming days and weeks, building on my call for the new government to think local by writing to and seeking meetings with ministers and briefing Parliamentarians ahead of the King’s Speech on 17 July.
National Assembly
Councillors from across our network of 43 county associations met in London at the meeting of our National Assembly on 9 July at NALC’s office in London, here are a few highlights:
The focus of the day was a workshop to help define NALC’s new big theme on community safety and to identify how councils and county associations could help. Also, the Assembly took initial stock of the recent General Election results. With so many new MPs, often with no experience of local (parish and town) councils, it will be vital that councils and county associations get to know their MPs and impress upon them the importance of our sector.
Councillors supported actions identified by county officers at one of our recent fortnightly meetings including encouraging councils to write congratulating their MPs on their election, invite them to events and publicise MP details in newsletters, and for county associations to put engaging with MPs on the agenda for their upcoming executive or board meetings.
The Assembly also received an extensive report on NALC’s finances from Cllr Peter Davey, vice-chair of finance. The report included confirmation from our external auditors that last year’s accounts were good and would be unqualified and that “adequate systems, appropriate for the size of the Association, appear to be in place for all major aspects of the Association’s business and that they are working well.” Assembly members were encouraged to discuss emerging proposals for next year’s affiliation fees, which are up from 7.94p per elector to 8.34p per elector, capped at £2,139 for the very largest councils, with their county association colleagues to enable a final decision to be made in the Autumn.
Proposals to increase diversity on our committees and were also agreed and the Assembly is urging councils and county associations to encourage people from all backgrounds to get involved in their work.
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 and Utility Aid, whose support is invaluable in making these awards possible.
Online event recordings
Our suite of 45 online event recordings allows members to access content conveniently. These recordings serve as valuable resources for those unable to attend live sessions, ensuring they get all the essential information and discussions. Additionally, members can revisit the content for clarification, further study, or professional development. This asynchronous access supports diverse schedules and enhances the overall accessibility and value of the event. They cover topics from climate change and planning to youth engagement and finance. Our online recordings are published one month after the event and can be found on our website, so do check them out!
On the blog: Net Zero Week
This week’s blog published during Net Zero Week urges local councils to reflect on their critical role in achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Net zero involves balancing greenhouse gas emissions with their removal through methods like tree planting and technology. Local councils, due to their close community ties, can drive significant changes in areas such as energy, transportation, waste management, and community engagement. Steps include developing a net zero action plan, promoting energy efficiency, encouraging sustainable transportation, enhancing green spaces, raising climate awareness, and using neighbourhood planning to achieve net zero. Read the blog to find out more!
Updates to Legal Topic Note on staff pensions
Our member services team has updated Legal Topic Note 79 on staff pensions (auto-enrolment) to make the content more readable and relevant and link to useful guidance. You will need to login to the member’s area of our website to access the advice note.
NALC speaks at Lawyers in Local Government Work Experience Week
Jane Moore, NALC’s legal services manager, was invited to speak to law students as part of the Lawyers in Local Government Work Experience Week 2024 on 5 July 2024. Jane took part in a panel discussion, which included colleagues from Lawyers in Local Government and the Association of Democratic Services Officers. Jane spoke about increasing diversity in the local council sector and the initiatives NALC has taken, such as the national networks and Make a Change campaign. She also spoke about the barriers to improved diversity, including the inability for councils to hold remote meetings.
Fortnightly meeting with county officers
This week’s online meeting between NALC and county association officers was used as a workshop on the taskforces set up by the Improvement and Development Board (IDB). This was an opportunity for county officers to have early input into the three themes for the taskforces which are civility and respect, intervention and workforce. Each group was led by a different county officer, and the discussions will now be fed into the work of the IDB.
Next week’s Policy Committee meeting
The agenda for our Policy Committee meeting on 16 July 2024 is now available in the Committees section of the NALC website. The agenda includes the committee work plan, motions from county associations, the creation of new local councils in metropolitan district council areas, and the results of the General Election. Additionally, there will be a guest speaker from the Local Government Association’s Special Interest Group for Municipal Areas.
English Rural Housing Association launch event for a new guide on affordable rural housing
Last week, during Rural Housing Week, NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, attended the launch of the English Rural Housing Association’s groundbreaking Design Guide, which aims to transform the perception of affordable rural housing. The guide is endorsed by HRH The Princess Royal and is structured into five comprehensive sections, each addressing an essential aspect of rural housing, such as the future of communities, the layout of houses, the landscape of villages, designing new homes in rural areas, and building sustainably and responsibly. The guide includes a practical toolkit for villages looking to inform the design of new homes in their community. This toolkit is a powerful resource that empowers local communities to take an active role in shaping the future of their built environment. You can learn more about the guide on our website.
And finally…
The Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) held its latest meeting last week. The panel is responsible for the Practitioners’ Guide, which is published to help smaller authorities (those with a turnover of less than £6.5 million) prepare the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). Each year, JPAG reviews the Practitioners’ Guide, and this year is asking clerks and responsible finance officers to complete a short survey to give feedback on the guide and make any suggestions for improvements. These suggestions will help JPAG review the Guide for 2025. The survey deadline is 30 September.
The Gatwick Noise Management Board is heading towards its third term. Anyone can now apply to attend online the morning of 14th August email nmb@gatwickairport.com.
Reduced Noise Night Trial. This report provides information on 4 weeks of data (17 May – 13 June) report here
Modernisation of airspace – see the Civil Aviation Authority letter here
Assurances had been obtained by Jeremy Quin, the then MP for Horsham, that the mapping would be better from Gatwick at the next stage of the CAA CAP 1616 consultation process. Obviously we do not know how this will stand now post election.
Many of the local Members of Parliament have changed Please see attached the Labour manifesto on aviation and the list of Gatwick area MPs. We are presuming their email addresses will become the standard – name.surname.mp@parliament.uk
Louise Haigh is the new Transport Secretary and Steve Reed the Environment Secretary.
Night movement at Gatwick Airport report by Cllr M Filmore here
New report on ultra fine particles from aviation – here
Update on the DCO planning process for a new runway –
New environmental hearing on 30th July at 2pm and possibly 31st/1st August – register here
PINS specifically are asking questions of Gatwick concerning the Supreme Court hearing relating to the production of fossil fuel and the burning thereof.
Gatwick announced at DCO hearing they had conducted a survey of residents to find out if they knew of any community groups. The survey asked residents of Horley, Ashford, Croydon, Brighton if they were concerned about aircraft noise. Policy and Gatwick do not recognise noise above 7,000ft so asking these areas makes the survey unbalanced. CAGNE was the community group most known by those asked. Air quality and carbon emissions were the top two concerns.
GATCOM (Gatwick statutory body) and the NMB are seeking to ban photography, recording or filming of meetings. As elected members are present this would seem to go against their code of council to be accountable. GATCOM agenda for this month here
Gatwick Airport newsletters The latest offers Rapid Taxiway as an improvement. This potentially adds 11 extra aircraft movements a day for residents of Sussex, Surrey, and Kent to endure the noise of.
This week, we published our quarterly activity report covering April to June 2024. The quarterly activity report details progress in delivering NALC’s strategic plan, including information on internal issues, parliamentary and government affairs work, events, finances, media coverage, publications and legal advice. This quarter’s report summarises the organisation’s strategic direction and significant milestones during the reporting period. Key highlights include NALC chair Cllr Keith Stevens’ letter to themainpolitical party leaders ahead of the general election outlining our manifesto for building stronger communities across England, we made history by attending our first-ever Pride event at Corby Pride with the support of the LGBT+councillors network, we moved to use an automated phone menu system for the main telephone number that aims to provide clearer options to all callers and direct them appropriately, NALC’s Management Board and Policy Committee backed the Mumsnet campaign for public bodies to publish their parental leave policies and we’ll be publishing ours shortly, and updated versions of The Good Councillor’s Guide and the Model Financial Regulations. The subsequent report covers July to September 2024 and will be published on 16 October 2024.
Meeting with Reach Foundation
Last week, colleagues in the policy and communications team attended a meeting with the Reach Foundation, a charity based in Feltham which is supporting residents to explore the possibility of setting up a local (parish and town) council in the town. Justin Griggs, head of policy and communications, highlighted NALC’s experience supporting other communities to establish local councils such as Queen’s Park Community Council. During discussions we also emphasised the need to communicate the benefits of having a local council to residents and Hounslow Council and to garner support from other community groups in the area. We’ll be providing further support and sharing useful information, including case studies outlining the work of existing local councils, and keeping in touch with the Reach Foundation as the campaign progresses.
Policy Committee
The NALC Policy Committee held its latest online meeting on 16 July 2024. Here are a few highlights:
The committee supported a motion from the East Riding and Northern Lincolnshire Local Councils Association regarding principal authority engagement with local councils. The committee reiterated our encouragement for county associations and local councils to frame charters with their principal authorities to help forge effective working relationships.
The committee also supported a motion from the Warwickshire and West Midlands Association of Local Councils regarding the reuse of graves. Our next steps on taking this forward will include engaging with the Ministry of Justice, Church of England and Local Government Association (LGA).
The external speaker was Zoe Adams, assistant research and communications officer at the LGA Special Interest Group for Municipal Areas (SIGOMA) who gave an excellent presentation on their work, challenges facing their members and local government finance lobbying priorities of certainty, fairer funding and sustainability. The committee supported ongoing collaboration with SIGOMA particularly around the creation of new local councils in metropolitan urban areas, noting the list we’ve developed of local councils in those areas, as well as unparished areas.
Councillors also noted the ongoing delivery of the committee’s work plan 2024-25 and Keith’s open letter to all political party leaders ahead of the General Election 2024, considered the results and its implications for local councils, as well as discussing the LGA’s Local Government White Paper which they broadly supported.
National Network: Climate emergency
The NALC Climate Emergency Network met online on 12 July 2024. Abby Charlesworth, local authorities coordinator at the Carbon Literacy Project, updated the network on the carbon literacy toolkits for local councils. She introduced them and the learning methodology as the main focus and delved into the issues specific to local councils. Andrew Maliphant, environment and sustainability advisor at the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), provided updates on the place-based initiative in the most recent pre-election session of the Local Net Zero Forum Task and Finish Group hosted by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and development of sector specific biodiversity net gain guidance. NALC’s response to the previous government’s consultation on barriers to community energy projects was briefly considered. The consultation response can be viewed here – you will need to log into the members’ area of NALC’s site to access this response. A helpful summary of WhatsApp group links and posts made since the previous meeting on 9 May 2024 was provided by Cllr Katharine Keats-Rohan. All attendees were also encouraged to promote and consider applying for the new Climate Response of the Year category in the NALC Star Council Awards by the 6 September 2024 deadline.
National Network: LGBT+ councillors
Our national network for LGBT+ councillors held its latest online meeting on 15 July 2024. Cllr Callum Reilly from Corby Town Council in Northamptonshire delivered a presentation to the network that reflected on their recent Pride event and parade in Corby. He highlighted the importance of effective communication, community engagement, and sponsorship support. He emphasised the significance of community involvement and making the event inclusive and reflective of the local community. The primary focus of this session was discussing the emerging LGBT+ toolkit the network is designing for local councils. The toolkit will serve as a model of best practice, celebrate the community, and share experiences and challenges faced by LGBT+ local councillors. The network will be focusing on the completion of the toolkit over the next few months. The next network meeting is on 3 September 2024. Find out more about the LGBT+ national network and how to join on our website.
On the blog: RECOUP
This week’s blog stresses the crucial role local councils can play in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability by partnering with RECOUP, a leading charity focused on plastic resource efficiency and recycling. Overconsumption of natural resources threatens future generations and contributes significantly to climate change and habitat loss. RECOUP advocates for a “buy less” mindset, encouraging communities to extend the life of their purchases through reuse, repair, and sharing. For example, the charity has collaborated with East Hunsbury Parish Council to organise a coat exchange, promoting eco-friendly wardrobe updates. RECOUP invites other councils to engage in similar initiatives, such as reducing plastic packaging, establishing toy libraries, and setting up recycling bins in parks. They offer practical project support, including toolkits and funding advice. Councils interested in collaborating can contact RECOUP at enquiry@recoup.org. Read the blog to find out more!
Out and about
The leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Cllr Liz Leffman, launched the Oxfordshire Council’s Charter at the Oxford Association of Local Councils (OALC) Annual General Meeting on 15 July which I was pleased to attend. Recognising the importance of local councils, the Charter aims to enhance partnership working across the three tiers of local government in Oxfordshire to empower a vibrant local democracy. I spoke on the importance of partnerships in tackling many of the challenges the country faces and the work of NALC. OALC’s annual report describes an impressive training programme and range of services and initiatives, including this Charter, which the county association provides to its member councils, 97% of which are in membership.
Improvement and Development Board
The latest meeting of the Improvement and Development Board (IDB) welcomed the new Board members of John Austin, chair of Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO), Deborah Evans, chief executive officer of Lawyers in Local Government (LLG), and Annie Child, chief executive of the Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments (SAAA). Anders Hanson, NALC’s member services manager, gave a presentation on our review of the criteria for the Local Council Award Scheme. He explained the extensive consultation process which included using focus groups that informed the review. The Board approved the proposed changes and recognised that NALC would be undertaking further consultation on the reviewed criteria. They also endorsed the importance of the LCAS to improvement and development and encouraged all local councils to consider applying. Also, the Board agreed to develop an additional Taskforce to examine qualitative and quantitative data, discussing how data was critical for evaluating and guiding improvement and development along with providing an evidence base for lobbying, decision making, and most importantly, improving local communities. The Board also gave early consideration on what the new government might mean for the sector, agreeing to encourage the renamed Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to send a representative to the board.
And finally…
NALC’s young councillors network is meeting on 23 July 2024 between 18.00 to 19.15. Yate Town Council will be joining the meeting to discuss youth engagement in their council. The group will also discuss the youth engagement summit event and a young councillors guidance toolkit. Find out more about the network and how to join!
MSVA Updates and News
Spotlight on Trustees
Gathering your feedback
At MSVA we have been focussed on gathering your feedback about what the priority needs are for your organisations. We know that recruiting and retaining volunteers is an essential part of ensuring that you can deliver your services and support in order for our communities to thrive. We have noticed an increase in the number of Trustee roles needed across Mid Sussex and we thought we would focus on this important volunteering role in this E-Bulletin. Please share this information within your networks and newsletters to help share and support our community to find more Trustees!
Why do we need Trustees?
Charity trustees play a very important role in making sure that the charity is run in the interests of the people it is there to support. They strategically oversee the management and administration of the organisation.
Who can be a Trustee?
Everyone! Anyone can volunteer to be a trustee, regardless of how junior or senior you are in your career, whether you are in paid employment or not, regardless of your ethnicity, class, gender orientation, sexuality or any other difference. Boards thrive on diversity and need a mix of all the different groups within society to deliver robust governance and fulfill a charity’s mission.
Why become a Trustee?
Trustees often say that being a board member has been one the richest sources of learning in their professional lives. It is estimated that almost half of all charities are looking for trustees at any time, so you will be filling a vital role in the voluntary sector.
As a trustee you have the chance to be involved with a charity focused on a cause you are passionate about. It is also a great way to get involved in a community and support and shape the work and strategic direction of an organisation, and you can make a significant difference to a cause that matters to you. This can be very rewarding.
Being a trustee offers the opportunity for professional development.
An opportunity to apply your unique skills and experience, be part of a team and learn from others. Working closely with a passionate team of people who have different perspectives is often one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role. Gain experience of strategy and leadership, and boost your CV.
How much time does being a trustee take?
Each organisation will have different requirements. The charity’s needs are likely to be made up of a range of activities that may occur at different times of the day and vary across the year. Questions you should ask include:
How many trustee meetings are there each year?
How long are the meetings, where and at what time of day?
Are trustees expected to serve on committees?
What opportunities are there to spend time with the organisation observing its work, both when joining and on an ongoing basis?
What contact is there in between trustee meetings and how does this usually take place?
Are there any one-off events or annual occasions that trustees are expected, or will have the opportunity, to attend?
What induction and training will the organisation provide, and how much time will that take?
Why not start the conversation and find out today!
Date for the diary! 4-8 November 2024 – Trustees’ Week 2024
Trustees’ Week is a time for us to come together to celebrate the achievements of nearly one million trustees across the UK and thank all of our Trustees for their time, commitment and effort they bring to to charities to help them thrive.
For more information on becoming a charity trustee, have a look at Getting On Board’sexcellent free resources.In addition to a large bank of trustee vacancies, they have how to guides for aspiring trustees, guidance for charities, lots of related further reading and this helpful 1-minute video:
Our community hub at the Cherry Tree Centre is a busy venue these days, with lots on offer for the community.From July 25th, we’ll be trialling Stay & Play on Thursdays from 10am – 12:15pm leading into our Messy Lunch in the Cherry Tree Cafe.
Stay & Play is a chance for little ones to meet and play and caregivers to connect and enjoy a beverage.
£1 per child
Toys, games & activities for early years, but older children welcome too
Entry via café
Low cost refreshments available
Dates – 25th July, 1st August, 8th August (possibly more coming)
Other interesting news:
We’ve recently added a new fitness class called Bounce on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for men and women of all ages.
We look forward to welcoming CSL Behring for a day of corporate volunteering at the Cherry Tree Centre again this month. They will be helping to spruce up our community hub with donated paints from Crown Decorating Centre in Burgess Hill and plants from B&Q
Don’t worry, room hire is still available at the Cherry Tree! For more information, have a look on our website or contact one of our centre managers, Ali & Dawn via email: enquiries@msva.org.uk
MSVA FORUMS
East Grinstead Networking
We are delighted to announce that our next East Grinstead networking event for community groups and charities takes place at on Thursday 12th September from 9.30 to 11.30 AM at The Apron Café, Chequer Mead community theatre.
The networking event provides an informal drop-in environment and an opportunity to connect with other local community groups, and speak to the MSVA team.
*Representatives from East Grinstead Town Council and the East Grinstead Common Good Trust will be in attendance to discuss their upcoming grant offers and can answer any questions you may have.*
Please drop in, grab a hot drink and piece of cake or fruit and say hello! All MSVA members are very welcome to attend.
There is paid parking opposite Chequer Mead theatre, buses run to the high street and it is located a 15 min walk from the train station.
This networking group is part of our regular series of events and is aimed primarily for groups in East Grinstead and surrounding villages, but all members are welcome to attend. For further information please ask by return of email.
Thank you, we look forward to welcoming you!
FUNDING
GSK IMPACT Awards and Community Health Programme
GSK Impact Awards
For charities with income between £150,000 and £3 million
The GSK IMPACT Awards provide funding, training and development. They are judged by a prestigious panel of judges and give national recognition for the winning charities. Up to 15 awards will be made, ranging from £4,000 to £50,000. In addition, the training and development is valued at a further £13,500. Organisations will also receive help with press and publicity, be given a set of promotional materials and receive pro bono offers from GSK.
Deadline for stage one applications is 5.00pm on Friday 30 August 2024.
GSK Community Health programme
Supporting small charities tackling health inequalities
For charities with income between £20,000 and £150,000
Running alongside the GSK IMPACT Awards, the programme supports small charities tackling health inequalities in their communities. It is open to registered charities that are at least a year old, located and working in the UK. Up to 15 charities will receive up to £10,000 plus access to training and development valued at £3,500.
Deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 12 August.
Asda Foundation – Investing in Spaces and Places Grant
Opens on 9th July 2024 and closes on 28th July 2024. Not-for-profit organisations with an income below £100,000 can apply for a capital grant of between £10,000 and £25,000 to transform spaces at the heart of their local community. Match funding of at least 50% of the total cost is required.B&Q Foundation Grants, deadlines: 6pm on 9th August 2024 and 15th November 2024. Registered charities can apply for a capital grant of up to £10,000 for building or indoor projects or £5,000 for garden projects. Funding is for projects that improve homes and community spaces for those who are experiencing homelessness, in financial hardship, impacted by health, disability or other disadvantage or distress.Screwfix Foundation, deadlines: 12 noon on 10th August 2024 and 10th November 2024. Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for a capital grant of up to £5,000 to improve, fix, and repair a physical building (or land attached to it) that is used by people in need.Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust – Impact Fund, deadline: 1st August 2024. Registered charities and constituted community organisations can apply for a project grant of up to £10,000 to enhance the environment and support communities (fuel poverty), encouraging a just transition to clean energy.
Bespoke Fundraising Webinar with Lucy Stone
18th of September (11-12pm)
The Sussex VCSE Mental Health Network are running a bespoke fundraising webinar with guest speaker Lucy Stone from No Stone Unturned.
The webinar will provide the opportunity for network members to raise challenges they experience around fundraising and funding applications.
The webinar will also help you to:
Learn how to make your funding applications stand out
Guidance on fundraising challenges
Suggestions for evidencing service impact in funding applications
There will time for a Q&A with Lucy Stone
Please sign up and send suggestions of particular fundraising challenges you would like guidance on from Lucy during the webinar by 11th July at: MHNetwork@VCSE-MHTransformation.org
About Lucy Stone
Lucy is an award winning fundraiser. She has 20 years’ experience in the charity sector. Her key skills lie in strategy, fundraising and impact measurement. Lucy has helped to raise £97 million for a wide range of causes.
250 free online fundraising packs available
easyfundraising is offering 250 free fundraising toolkits to help local organisations raise money online.
Through easyfundraising, when your supporters shop with any of 8,000 retailers, including Tesco, trainline, eBay, Argos, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Asda and Booking.com, a donation is made to your organisation.
All you need to do is use the free packs to tell your supporters about it
To get your complimentary pack, register with easyfundraising and when prompted, schedule a call with a member of the easyfundraising team who will arrange your toolkit and explain the process.
Treasurer – Haywards Heath Food Bank Trustee/Director – East Grinstead Memorial Estate Ltd Trustee – Jigsaw South East Trustee – Relate North & South West Sussex Trustee – Mid Sussex Counselling Centre Treasurer – Kangaroos – Mid Sussex Treasurer – Mid Sussex District Scouts
Here is a flavour of some of the new volunteer roles added to Volunteer Plus in June!
Job opportunities can be included in the E-Bulletin and advertised on our MSVA social media channels for a fee of £15 per job posting.
Please email: helen.crofoot@msva.org.uk for more information or to post a role.
EMPLOYEE LAW & STAFF WELLBEING UPDATES
TRAINING
Summer Trustee Learning Programme from Getting On Board
To infinity and beyond! An introduction to charity finances for trustees
Thursday 11th July 5-6pm
This introductory webinar is for trustees without a finance background who want to make sure that they are able to engage fully with the organisation’s finances, in order to be an effective trustee. For many trustees, the finances are a bit of a mystery and we’re on a mission to change that!
Ever found yourself day-dreaming about a trustee-free utopia? Fear not, because we’ve got the event you never knew you needed: How to get rid of trustees (without breaking the law). Now that we’ve enticed you in with that naughty event title, this session will of course tackle serious issues around:
Why we let trustees stay past their sell by date
Identifying common reasons trustees may feel stuck or reluctant to leave
Identifying common pitfalls that can lead trustees becoming ineffective
Every effective trustee needs to understand charity governance and their legal responsibilities (and we have just the webinar for that). However, being an impactful trustee requires more than this. Good governance is essential but not enough.
This session is for those trustees and aspiring trustees who have a passion to take their charity forward, to grow impact, to leave a personal legacy and feel the sense of personal fulfilment from the time they volunteer.
MSVA Lunch & Learn
Getting Started with CanvaJoin us for a 90-minute introduction to Canva and unlock your creative potential! Learn how to design stunning digital posters and images for both print and social media.Canva Basics: Master the essentials to get you started quickly.Design Tips & Tricks: Enhance your creativity with professional techniques.Accessibility: Ensure your designs are accessible to everyone.Free Canva Pro Account: Discover how to access premium features at no cost (for charities).Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your design skills and make your projects stand out!Thursday July 25th, 12:00pm – 1:30pmBook your free place hereBring your lunch and your curiosity, and let’s create together!
FREE English conversation classes for the residents of Mid Sussex
These classes are a great opportunity for individuals to improve their English, build confidence, and make new friends over a cup of tea or coffee.We are hosting these classes in three locations across Mid Sussex, and they take place from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM:
Burgess Hill: Cyprus Hall, Cyprus Rd, Burgess Hill RH15 8DX
The course enables a first aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work.
The workshop also gives people the confidence to know that if someone needs help, they will know what to do. The content of the course is equivalent to those provided by well-known national first aid organisations and covers topics relevant to the delegates’ workplaces. Delegates completing the course successfully will be awarded the Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate, valid for three years from the date of issue.
The aim of the surgery is to improve access to the service for vulnerable Mid Sussex residents with a particular focus on those who may be at risk of homelessness.
Prevention is better than cure so we are really keen to engage with clients who maybe struggling with their housing situation, here are some examples:
Service users who are in arrears with their rent
Their rent has increased, and they are no longer able to afford it
Their income has reduced, through loss of employment or change in benefits and are starting to get in arrears with their rent
Service users who are already in arrears with their rent and haven’t sought help
Service users who have been given notice to leave their current accommodation, whether that’s a tenancy or living with family and friends.
Service users who may be experiencing domestic abuse or other forms of violence or harassment
Service users who are experiencing disrepair in their property that has not been addressed.
In the future clients will also be able to book themselves an appointment via a QR code that will be on posters advertised in various locations.
At the appointment the housing officer will obtain information regarding their housing situation and either provide advice or, if they meet the threshold for a duty to be owed be allocated to an officer for an in depth assessment.
It includes an online form which service users can complete or if they are having difficulty they can contact the housing duty line (01444 477574) or email housingadvice@midsussex.gov.uk
It also contains useful information regarding rough sleeping, domestic abuse, hospital and care leavers amongst other things.
If a service user advises that they already have an open case and a caseworker then they should be advised to contact them directly or contact the advice line or housing advice mailbox.
Mental Health Support
If a service user is advising, they are feeling suicidal then suggest they contact their GP or present to their nearest Accident & Emergency department. They will be able to provide them with the support that they need at this time. I have detailed below some information as to where a person can get help immediately:
If they are experiencing a mental health crisis, phone Samaritans. Calls are free from any phone in the UK, available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Phone: 116 123.
Support from local specialist NHS services
If they need more support than their GP can provide, it is likely they will be referred to an organisation such as Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust -the major provider of specialist NHS services locally, including both community and hospital-based services. For more information visit: www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk
Other Local Support
• Time to talk therapies – offers a range of talking therapy treatments to people in West Sussex: 01273 666480. In Mid Sussex call 01444 251084. Visit Time to talk therapies website for more information and online self-help resources.
• www.pathfinderwestsussex.org.uk – is an alliance of organisations supporting people with mental health needs and their carers to improve their mental wellbeing.
• Call NHS 111 and select option 2 for mental health
• Text the word SUSSEX to 85258
• Download the Stay Alive App: www.stayalive.app
Domestic Abuse Support
If you are in immediate danger call:
Tel: 999
If you or someone close to you is suffering from domestic violence please contact: National Domestic Violence Helpline Tel: 0808-2000-247 Online: National Domestic Violence Helpline
The Freedom Programme
A free 12 week rolling programme open to women who want to find out more about domestic abuse Tel: 01903 231069 Email:info@safeinsussex.org.uk
We work with Turning Tides to provide outreach floating support to rough sleepers in the Mid Sussex area.
We are not under a legal duty to provide emergency accommodation for everyone who is sleeping rough. However, rough sleepers are encouraged to work with us and Turning Tides to access all their housing options. We may arrange short term accommodation for people sleeping rough during severe weather conditions.
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner
Hello
This week marked the first anniversary of Immediate Justice (IJ) in Sussex – a dedicated taskforce working to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in our communities.
Under the IJ pilot, anti-social behaviour offenders are asked to complete some form of reparative activity to make amends for the harm and damage they’ve caused to an individual or community. This can include activities such as litter-picking, graffiti cleaning, repairing damaged items or providing maintenance to public spaces.
Our IJ taskforce continues to go from strength to strength. With 174 referrals made to date, it is clear that those causing ASB in our county are being held accountable for their actions and we have many examples of offenders recognising they need to change their negative behaviours.
The IJ scheme in Sussex is seen as being one of the most successful and effective in the country and other police forces are looking at our model as they roll out their own.
I’ll be sharing more updates on some of the great work on my website and social media channels soon.
Sussex rollout national programme providing support for women in custody
Last year, my Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme established a new referral pathway to provide support for those experiencing menopause whilst in custody.
The referral pathway provides women in custody who are over the age of 40 with the opportunity to speak to a healthcare professional about perimenopause and menopausal symptoms and includes producing an individualised care plan for those who may need support.
Following the success of the recommendations and toolkit created by Sussex’s ICVs and partners, the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) for policing, issued by The College of Policing, now states all forces across England and Wales should have the menopause referral pathway in their custody centres. The College’s APP must be adhered to by all police forces and it also sets out mandatory policies.
When someone gets placed in custody, it is important to remember that they are a detainee at this point, not a convicted prisoner and their human rights (including dignity) must be recognised and protected at all times. They should have access to age and gender-specific health care provisions which can allow detainees to be better engaged with the custody process, including during interviews.
The announcement of the changes to the APP comes in the same month that Sussex’s ICV scheme was selected out of 43 ICV schemes to launch a new toolkit developed by the National Preventive Mechanism on the ‘prevention of ill treatment in places where people are deprived of their liberty’.
I’m delighted that our ICV scheme in Sussex continues to lead the way in identifying any gaps in provision or vulnerabilities that may occur during the criminal justice process. The work carried out by my team of volunteers is crucial in helping me to hold the police force to account on behalf of the public and I commend them for their dedication and commitment.
The WSALC and ESALC Boards have launched the first Summer edition of a new quarterly newsletter.
It would be great to hear any feedback you may have on the newsletter or any ideas/articles for inclusion in future editions. If you have any inspiring stories from your council that you would like to share, please let us know!
The Citizens Advice partnership between West Sussex and Arun and Chichester work to support local residents and give them the help they need, when they need it. Read on for our latest service updates, upcoming opportunities, and news on legal or other changes which you may find of interest.
Benefit advice is the biggest issue affecting our cilent’s at the moment , we do expect there will be an increase during the year with Universal Managed Migration rollout. We will issue regular updates on this as it progresses. We have seen a 51% increase in Debt compared with last year and an 18% increase in Housing problems.We are currently researching the impact of disability benefits on residents to inform local and national thinking, please get in touch if you have reports you can share or would like to take part in our research .
Our Benefits Calculator has been used by nearly 5,000 people in the last year. As a result, it identified that over £800,000 of unclaimed benefits.
We can use the Benefit calculator to identify trends, with the most under claimed support being Council Tax Single resident discount and benefits. Please join us in promoting awareness of this and encourage people to access help that is available.
We are asking community leaders to join us to become information champions in Crawley. Our team will train advocates in communities on key information issues so they can help their community and sign post to appropriate services.
Following recent funding, we have recruited a link worker to support Chaggosian nationals with identifying the support needed and connecting with local services including our specialist advisor based in Crawley.
SEND Webinars
Children and young people may be missing out on DLA or PIP which is a non-means tested benefit. It is not dependent on having an EHCP but this webinar can help families and carers to understand more about what is available and how to claim.
The household support fund will continue to support financially vulnerable clients who can demonstrate they need assistance with energy related help. Clients will receive a holistic advice including energy options.. Please use your referrer link or if you would like to become a referral partners, get in touch.
Legal Updates:
Child Care Changes from April 2024 will increase support for working parents of 2 year olds and further help for working parents in September.
Increase in Local Housing Allowance towards private rent – which means the maximum rent which can be paid by benefits has been increased.
To find out what this means and check the correct amount is being applied, Click Here.
Our Community Engagement Work:
The free English classes in Mid Sussex have been popular with 35 people joining us so far. These classes allow our communities to connect and learn about information and support in a relaxed and proactive setting.
“I have met so many wonderful people and already feel more confident in English” – an Attendee.
The positive feedback has been great and we look forward to welcoming even more students in the coming months.
Volunteers are at our heart, they are the connection with our community and allow us to be more than a service provider. We are proud of the 300 volunteers who support us and to celebrate their contribution during volunteers week. Each volunteer was sent a token of our gratification and we look forward to seeing them grow.
We are excited to expand our work with universities and in work experience placements during the last month. Over the coming months we will be relaunching our roles and promote the benefits of volunteering and build our community as we approach our 85th anniversary.
We made a historic and important appearance at Corby Pride on 22 June 2024, marking our first-ever participation in a Pride event. The idea originated from our National Network: LGBT+ councillors, who helped guide us through the journey as well as identifying the Corby Town Council event. It underscores the commitment and leadership of local (parish and town) councils to build stronger communities that are diverse and inclusive. Corby Pride featured a parade, live entertainment, community stalls, and various activities to celebrate and promote LGBT+ inclusivity. We participated in the parade, met the town council’s mayor, and discussed the event and ongoing initiatives with other council representatives. I also wanted to give a special thanks to Cllr Luke Trevaskis, chair of our network and Charmaine Keatley, chief executive of the Kent Association of Local Councils, who made their respective journeys from the northwest and southeast to join us on this landmark occasion. Our attendance is part of our broader strategy to promote diversity and inclusivity across all local councils, from our Make a Change campaign to creating content and writing blogs to creating the national network for LGBT+ councillors.
National Network: Coastal communities
Our national network for coastal communities held its latest online meeting on 19 June 2024. Kirsty Davies, community water quality manager at Surfer’s Against Sewage, delivered an informative presentation on water quality and how bathing waters are a solution for improving water quality. She also discussed the Surfers Against Sewage’s Citizen Science Programme, which replicates the Environment Agency’s water quality testing regime but with more frequent testing. The network was also joined by Ali Pretty, founder of Kinetika, who gave a fascinating presentation on Beach of Dreams, which is a UK-wide coastal festival programme that starts from 1 May – 1 June 2025. The next network meeting is on 3 September 2024 – if you’re a local council in a coastal area or are interested in coastal issues and want to connect with your colleagues, please sign up!
On the blog: Celebrating Pride 2024
This week’s blog highlights how local councils celebrate Pride Month and offers ideas for 2025. Beginning the celebrations early, Hertford Town Council in Hertfordshire held a Family Pride Day, featuring a Conversation Corner that acted as a safe space and Express Yourself dedicated to dance and music. Leighton Linslade Town Council in Bedfordshire kicked off Pride Month by hosting their first-ever working party where the community would give their ideas. Hailsham Town Council in East Sussex hosted Stand Proud in Hailsham, a special family-friendly event with festival vibes. Weston-super-Mare Town Council in Somerset partnered with local groups for a month-long programme of events. And Crewe Town Council in Cheshire honoured older LGBTQ+ members with Silver Rainbow Pride. Some ways your council can get involved in 2025 include forming Pride committees, collaborating with local organisations, hosting educational workshops, planning family-friendly activities, organising parades, implementing inclusive policies, and promoting awareness. Read the blog to find out more! Please drop us a line to let us know what your council did during Pride Month at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk.
Fortnightly county officers meeting
In this week’s regular meeting between NALC and county officers, there was an update from Steve Parkinson of The Parkinson Partnership about the latest model financial regulations. This highlighted some key changes, areas where councils must pay particular attention, and the main queries received so far. There was also a discussion about an issue from HMRC with some county associations and corporation tax. NALC provided a short briefing on the parental leave campaign from Mumsnet, which NALC is backing and is encouraging local councils to support. There was also an update on the progress of the NALC website, which we’ll launch in October this year.
Global Civility Summit 2024 on tackling toxicity and cultivating civility
Local councils can attend the groundbreaking Global Civility Summit 2024 on tackling toxicity and cultivating civility. This unique gathering on 10 October 2024 will feature visionary civic leaders from the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, who will share their strategies for addressing toxicity, bridging divides, enhancing discourse, and renewing civic culture. Participants will gain insights into current trends and access valuable resources. The summit is free and will be held online, but places are limited, so I recommend early registration to secure your spot! You can find out more on the event including panellists, the agenda, and additional resources, on the event website.
Youth summit hosted by NALC, One Voice Wales and SLCC
We are hosting a joint youth engagement summit with One Voice Wales (OVW) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). The virtual event on 18 July 2024 for local (parish, town and community) councils, councillors, clerks and council staff across England and Wales will explore innovative ways to engage and inspire young people. The summit will look at discovering how to create meaningful apprenticeship opportunities that equip young individuals with valuable skills and experience, cultivating the next generation of political leaders, learning ways to empower young people in the community to take their rightful place in the political arena, and delving into the intricacies of how young people can influence policy decisions. The summit promises to be a transformative experience that will equip attendees with the tools and knowledge to unlock the full potential of youth influence in policy-making, celebrate the remarkable achievements of young councillors, be inspired by their dedication and leadership and explore how local councils can support and promote the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award, fostering personal development and community service among youth. You can find out more about the event and how to book tickets on our website.
General election and rural prosperity
We have joined with 11 other national bodies on The Rural Coalition to urge political parties and policymakers to boost rural economies after the general election. The Rural Coalition is clear there is huge potential to increase productivity within rural areas. With the appropriate support, rural economies could generate additional billions a year in tax receipts for the Treasury. Productivity in rural areas in England is currently lower than the national average, suggesting significant potential for future improvement. Such a boost could significantly fund vital national priorities, emphasising the interconnectedness of rural prosperity with national success.
And finally…
Come join The Carbon Literacy Project’s Local Authorities team for the final Connect & Catch Up session before a summer break. The next session is on 3 July at 2 pm on MS Teams. It will be an opportunity to chat informally about all things Carbon Literacy. As well as the chance to chat, swap ideas and network in breakout rooms. You will be joined by Chloe, the Carbon Literacy Action Day Coordinator, to hear all about this year’s campaign and how you can be involved. From strategic tips to paid social media ads for open courses, there’s something for all approaches!
Recognising county association excellence
We understand the crucial role that county associations play in supporting local (parish and town) councils across England. These associations provide invaluable advice, support, and training, ensuring that councils are well-equipped to serve their communities and enhance residents’ lives.
The awards will spotlight county associations that have excelled in addressing the needs of their member councils, delivering their work to high standards, providing value for money, and showcasing innovation and enterprise. We invite anyone, including county associations and their member councils, to nominate deserving associations for this prestigious award.
To submit a nomination, complete the form on our website. Along with the form, please provide a brief 150-word supporting statement for each criterion, highlighting specific examples of the county association’s achievements.
It is essential to recognise and appreciate the dedication and commitment of county associations in supporting local councils to build stronger communities. Take advantage of the opportunity to honour an outstanding county association by nominating them for the Star Council Awards. The deadline for nominations is 6 September 2024, so submit your nomination before then.
Clear Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Cloudy IT, Facilitating the Future and Utility Aid sponsor the awards.
Does your local (parish and town) council provide platforms where young people can voice their perspectives and contribute to decision-making processes? NALC, the Society of Local Council Clerks, and One Voice Wales are joining forces to host the Youth Engagement Summit. The virtual event will be held for local councils, councillors, clerks, and council staff across England and Wales to explore innovative ways to engage and inspire young people. Join the summit to discover how to create meaningful apprenticeship opportunities that equip young individuals with valuable skills and experience, cultivate the next generation of political leaders – learn ways to empower young people in your community to take their rightful place in the political arena, delve into the intricacies of how young people can influence policy decisions.
Decoding the future of AI in local governance
24 July 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
Dive into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore the realm of predictive analytics in local council settings. While our initial thoughts about AI might drift towards Hal from 2001: A Space Odyssey, the current focus is on predictive analytics and harnessing historical data to forecast new instances or cases. Hear directly from experts who have conducted a groundbreaking report for the Local Government Association on AI in local government, a principal authority utilising assistive technology, and a communications stakeholder in the sector. Gain valuable insights into how predictive analytics could shape the future of local councils and grapple with the broader moral dilemma presented by AI.
Speakers: Jenny McEneaney (Local Government Association) and Steve Walker (The Cloudy Group)
The future of neighbourhood plans
25 September 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
Despite the government dragging its feet on supporting funding for neighbourhood planning, the confirmation eventually came through, solidifying its commitment to neighbourhood planning. In this area, local (parish and town) councils shine. Rediscover the passion for launching and shaping a neighbourhood plan in your area and access indispensable tips, guidance, and advice necessary to embark on this pivotal undertaking.
Speakers: Shar Roselman (Newport Pagnell Town Council) and Andrew Towlerton (Society of Local Council Clerks)
Mastering emergency planning
23 October 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
The impact of COVID-19 has underscored the undeniable truth that local (parish and town) councils must always be prepared for emergencies, regardless of the cause. Fortunately, local councils are key players in supporting recovery from various emergencies. Take this opportunity to gain exclusive insights into how your local council can proactively plan for and champion recovery in emergencies from an insider’s perspective, complete with tips and guidance on navigating these critical scenarios to benefit your community, including applying Martyn’s Law for potential local terrorist incidents.
The quest for devolution in local governance
20 November 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
Despite the promising rhetoric of levelling up, devolutionary outcomes for local (parish and town) councils must be more impressive. With minimal attention in the Levelling Up the United Kingdom White Paper in 2022 and ongoing delays in the government’s planned neighbourhood governance review, it appears the commitment to devolving more powers to local councils has not been fully realised. Reignite your passion for advocating increased devolved services in your area and receive practical advice on empowering your local council to navigate the evolving landscape effectively.
Empowering the young councillors of tomorrow
13 December 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
Recognising that young people shape our future, it is imperative for all local (parish and town) councils to actively involve them in vital service areas that impact their lives. Moreover, the young individuals engaged by local councils today might emerge as tomorrow’s local councillors, emphasising the ongoing necessity for such engagement. Gain a strategic advantage for your local council in effectively involving young people in caring for their community. Discover how to cultivate their interest in becoming the local councillors of the future.
Navigating rural realities
29 January 2025 — 12.00 – 13.15
While approximately 70% of local (parish and town) councils thrive in rural areas with populations under 10,000, the national spotlight often leans towards urban agendas, assuming that the most deprived areas are urban. Gain a competitive edge in addressing the intricate challenges that rural councils face, and leave with valuable, practical advice and tips to steer your local council confidently into the future.
Is the fight for standards a losing battle?
26 February 2025 — 12.00 – 13.15
It’s no secret that without robust sanctions, local government at every level faces an uphill battle against the declining standards of behaviour. Yet, it’s a moral imperative to strive to reverse this tide. Unlock the strategies your local council can employ to support national campaigns to enhance behaviours during council meetings. Learn practical measures that local councils can implement to drive positive change.
Breaking the mould of local councils
26 March 2025 — 12.00 – 13.15
The prevailing notion of retired, predominantly male local (parish and town) councillors persists, echoing the enduring image from the Vicar of Dibley era despite ongoing national campaigns to challenge this perception. Uncover the secrets of success for your council in attracting a broader, more diverse range of candidates willing to volunteer as local councillors against all odds.
Chief executive’s bulletin
4 July 2024
NALC pushes for greater role for local councils in community energy projects
In NALC’s recent response to a consultation from the Department for Energy Security and Zero, we advocated for a greater role for local (parish and town) councils in delivering community energy projects, making the case that local councils can significantly contribute to improving biodiversity and reducing carbon consumption. We also suggested that government support and investment in electricity infrastructure should be improved to facilitate small-scale community projects. The previous government committed to consult on the barriers to community energy projects by launching this call for evidence. We now hope the new government will utilise the evidence and information from this consultation to understand the issues facing the energy sector more widely. Read the full consultation response.
Next week’s meeting of National Assembly
The agenda and supporting papers for next week’s meeting of our National Assembly are now available in the committees’ section of the NALC website. Responsible for overseeing the delivery of our objectives, our National Assembly consists of one councillor from each of the 43 county associations of local councils. Taking place in person at our office in London, next week’s agenda includes a workshop on our latest big theme on community safety, an update on our finances including a recommendation on next year’s affiliation fees, a briefing on the Sustainable Communities Act and NALC’s policy making, updates from committee chairs and Management Board champions, and considering the outcome of today’s general election and next steps engaging with the new government and Parliament.
Improvement and Development Board
At their most recent meeting, the Improvement and Development Board agreed to set up task forces to make recommendations for improvement and development in the sector. Three task forces have been established so far, focusing on civility and respect, intervention, and workforce, each having held their first meetings and agreed on initial priorities. The intervention task force plans to have two additional meetings, aiming to present its final recommendations to the board on 12 November 2024. Meanwhile, a fourth task force will explore data implications for local council improvement and development, with a report on its terms of reference and membership to be presented at the next board meeting, following presentations from De Montfort University and the Local Government Association on the role of data analysis in improvement. Additionally, the board has agreed to appoint new members, including the chief executive officers of Lawyers in Local Government and Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments, and the chair of the Association of Democratic Services Officers, all of whom will join the board at its next meeting on 11 July 2024.
NALC online event on tackling climate change and biodiversity loss
The latest NALC online event – Unleashing the power of local councils to tackle the climate emergency – took place on 26 June 2024. The sold out event discussed initiatives and examples of how local councils can fight against climate change. Our expert panel featured Richard O’Callaghan, regional lead external affairs officer at The Woodland Trust, Garry Ford, environmental projects officer at Corsham Town Council, and Allan Wilson and Richard Watkins, chair and vice-chair of Save our Shropshire. Richard O’Callaghan explained how The Woodland Trust supports local councils in combating climate change by offering resources such as model wording for neighbourhood plans, a tree planting sites finder, funding, and free tree packs. Garry showcased Corsham Town Council’s efforts to achieve net zero by 2030 through environmental task groups focused on public transport, active travel, plastic waste reduction, and biodiversity. And Allan and Richard Watkins stressed the importance of carbon literacy and the Carbon Literacy qualification. A huge thank you to our amazing speakers and I also want to thank Katherine Brown from NALC’s partners, Blachere Illumination, for hosting the event.
On the blog: Royal Garden Party
This week’s blog, written by Claire Fitzgerald, NALC’s administration manager, provides a delightful recount of the Royal Garden Party held on 21 May 2024 at Buckingham Palace. The Royal Garden Party is a prestigious event hosted by the British monarch at a royal residence, honouring and celebrating individuals who have had a positive impact on their community. NALC manages the invitations for the local council sector working with county associations. The blog post features reflections from various guests who attended the event, highlighting their excitement and honour despite the rainy weather. Overall, the blog post captures the joy and honour felt by guests attending the Royal Garden Party, reflecting the community spirit and the unique experience of participating in such a prestigious event. Read the blog to find out more!
Out and about
I joined over 60 local council representatives for this week’s Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC) annual general meeting. It was impressive to be reminded of the tremendous support that county associations provide to local councils. SALC has delivered an outstanding range of member services, including training, advice, events, payroll and internal audit. They have also delivered big projects, including their partnership with the county council to provide advice on handling Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. Future plans include enhanced information on highways matters, planning and a digital skills training programme. Charlotte Eisenhart, head of member services, this week joined the Annual Parish Conference hosted by Leicestershire County Councils and Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local Councils. This was another great example of the work of county associations and local councils with a wide range of partnership working showcased at the event. In her presentation, Charlotte spoke about the civility and respect work delivered by NALC, county associations and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC).
Latest legal bulletin
Our member services team has issued their June 2024 legal bulletin for county officers. The bulletin includes guidance on a scenario of a chair resigning with no volunteers to stand, councillor resignations, charging voluntary organisations for advertising and an update on new hedgerow regulations.
80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May 2025
The 8 May 2025 will be the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a celebration of the moment in 1945 that marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. This year, many local councils commemorated the anniversary of D-Day, and I hope many will also choose to mark this similarly. On Thursday 8 May 2025 a range of activities are being encouraged including lighting of Beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace, the raising of a unique VE Day flag and holding parties of celebration throughout the day in the streets, gardens at home, churches, villages and towns, and all manner of locations throughout the country. A new VE Day 80 website has been launched, which includes details of next year’s plans, a guide to taking part and a form to register your involvement so you can be up to date with the plans.
And finally…
As I am sure you don’t need any reminding, the UK general election takes place today! According to our colleagues at Democracy Club, a record 4,515 candidates have been nominated to stand, beating the previous record of 4,150 set in 2010. A whopping 98 different political parties are standing, plus 459 independent candidates. And thanks to the great work of My Life My Say through the #GiveAnX campaign, which NALC has been supporting, over 600,000 people registered to vote on the recent National Voter Registration Day, of which just under half were 18-34. I’d like to wish everyone who has put themselves forward to serve their constituencies – from all parties and none and including many local councillors – the very best of luck. Please do take the time today to exercise your democratic right to vote if you haven’t voted by post already!
As Mayor of East Grinstead, I had the enormous pleasure of witnessing the phenomenal achievements of our young students and their dedicated teachers from Sackville School, who recently returned from the Town Twinning Youth Games—Jeunes sans Frontières (Youth without Borders). This prestigious event held this year in Bourg de Péage, France, brought together youth from our twin towns in Spain, France, Austria, Italy, and Germany for a brilliant four-day competition of sports and fun. This year’s games were particularly special, coinciding with the passage of the Olympic Flame through the town, adding an extra element of once in a lifetime memories.
Our incredible team—students Lizzie, Evie, Hannah, Addy, Freddie, and Lucas, along with their wonderful teachers Mr. Dupoy and Mrs. Plumb —incredible ambassadors for East Grinstead. They fully immersed themselves in the multicultural community that embodies the true spirit of town twinning and cultural exchange. Their conduct was exemplary, their enthusiasm boundless, and their positive energy really contagious.
From the moment they arrived, our students demonstrated a willingness to engage and immerse themselves with peers from different cultures, initiating conversations and forging meaningful connections. The feedback from other delegates was overwhelmingly amazing, all praising the kindness, friendliness and sportsmanship of our team. Hearing such glowing comments filled my heart with joy and reaffirmed the high regard in which our students are held. I could not have been prouder of them all.
The entire town of East Grinstead shares in this immense pride. The achievements of the Sackville team have made our community proud and really highlighted the spirit and value of town twinning. Not forgetting that without our Town Twinning Association this would not have been possible. Their hard work, passion and exemplary conduct are a credit to both the town and their school. They have set a high standard for future delegations, and their success is a testament to the values and standards fostered at Sackville School.
In an age where global connections and understanding are more important than ever, our students have shown that East Grinstead is not just a town of high achievers but also one of compassionate and engaged global citizens. They have truly embodied the spirit of “Youth without Borders,” demonstrating that through sports, friendship, and cultural exchange, we can build a more connected and harmonious world.
As we celebrate our conquerors of Europe, let us also look forward to continuing our tradition of Town Twinning engagement and celebrating the achievements of our young people, in whatever they do, in the months and years to come.
Congratulations to our champions—you have made East Grinstead incredibly proud!
Please email Alice Fletcher if you are able to volunteer at the next East Court Live and have not already let her know with the times you would be available. a.fletcher@eastgrinstead.gov.uk
Free diabetes and blood pressure check events
Please see the link below for the details of the free diabetes and blood pressure event on 29th June – booking is required.
These Free Health Screening events are organised and provided by East Grinstead Town Council, supported by Mid Sussex District Council, the Mid Sussex Partnership, Xyla HealthCare on behalf of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme, Community Pharmacy Surrey and Sussex on behalf of the National Hypertension Case Finding Initiative, Place Leisure (Kings Centre), and East Grinstead Lions. The venue is Jubilee Community Centre, Charlwoods Road, East Grinstead RH19 2HL.
Traffic Regulation Order Consultation – Turners Hill Road
Please note this will go to the next Planning Committee meeting and if you have any comments please submit them to the Clerk, Cllrs Farren, M Belsey, Gibbs or Mockford before the 24 June. Thank you.
West Sussex County Council proposes to make a permanent Traffic Regulation Order that will introduce a 30 MPH speed limit on Turners Hill Road (B2110) in East Grinstead, from its junction with Hurst Farm Road, south-westwards for 280 metres.
Below is a link to the TRO Team’s consultation web page, containing plans showing the new restriction, the public notice, statement of reasons for proposing the Order, and the draft Order itself. I should be grateful if you could accept this message as the formal consultation on the proposed new Order. If you wish to make any comments or objections to the scheme, please make them to me by e-mail before 27 June 2024. E-mail: martin.moore@westsussex.gov.uk
Our latest cycle of committee meetings has begun with our chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, and vice-chairs, Cllr Peter Davey and Cllr David Francis, meeting this week to discuss NALC’s budget and priorities for the next year, progress on our new website, and working with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) on civility and respect and local government finance. The Finance and Scrutiny Committee met on 11 June 2024 and received the draft year-end management accounts for 2023/24, slightly better than anticipated. Our annual audit is also well-advanced, and the committee has identified several areas for further scrutiny.
Youth summit hosted by NALC, One Voice Wales and the SLCC
We are hosting a joint youth engagement summit with One Voice Wales (OVW) and the SLCC. The virtual event on 18 July 2024 for local (parish, town and community) councils, councillors, clerks and council staff across England and Wales will explore innovative ways to engage and inspire young people. The summit will look at discovering how to create meaningful apprenticeship opportunities that equip young individuals with valuable skills and experience, cultivating the next generation of political leaders, learning ways to empower young people in the community to take their rightful place in the political arena, and delving into the intricacies of how young people can influence policy decisions. The summit promises to be a transformative experience that will equip attendees with the tools and knowledge to unlock the full potential of youth influence in policy-making, celebrate the remarkable achievements of young councillors, be inspired by their dedication and leadership and explore how local councils can support and promote the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award, fostering personal development and community service among youth. You can find out more about the event and how to book tickets on our website.
Fortnightly county officers call
In this week’s meeting between NALC and county officers, our policy manager, Chris Borg, spoke about this year’s Star Council Awards, focusing on the categories and nomination process. He stressed our collective hunger for local councils and county associations to apply and highlight the work they’ve done that they’re incredibly proud of. There were also updates on recent queries about the financial services compensation scheme, which, as we advised in 2015, covers local councils, public interest reports from local council audits, and the use of public buildings during the general election.
On the blog: LGBT Foundation
This week’s blog from the LGBT Foundation explores why pride matters. As pride month begins, it’s essential to recognise the significance of pride events in promoting visibility, acceptance, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. These celebrations honour the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and embrace the community’s diversity. Despite progress, challenges remain, such as high rates of hate crimes and feelings of unsafety among LGBTQ+ individuals. Pride events provide crucial safe spaces for self-expression, support networks, and mental health benefits. Local councils can support pride by organising events, raising awareness, implementing diversity training, and promoting inclusive representation. Celebrating pride fosters solidarity and highlights the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. And, a final reminder that we’ll be participating in Corby Pride next weekend. If you want to join us in standing united and enhancing the visibility of LGBT+ councillors within local government, please register your interest in attending this week.
Out and about
Our legal services manager and solicitor, Jane Moore, joined Justin at the Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) Spring Conference held in Leeds on 7 June 2024. Justin delivered a presentation on the impact of the forthcoming general election and likely policies of interest to local government in the political party manifestos. The conference also provided a valuable learning experience and networking opportunities with LLG members, including monitoring officers and senior lawyers. I was pleased to attend the 125th birthday celebrations of our Rural Coalition colleagues, the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA). The celebrations at the offices of AECOM in the City of London included speeches from TCPA’s chair and chief executive, who reflected on the organisation’s history and achievements during that time in delivering their vision for homes, places and communities in which everyone can thrive. Happy Birthday, TCPA!
Local Council Clerk Week
Once again, we supported SLCC’s Local Council Clerk Week. The week runs between 10 and 14 June 2024. It is a week of celebration aimed at raising the profile of the clerk’s role and recognising the work clerks do for their communities. All over England and Wales, clerks to local councils are working hard for their communities, serving populations ranging from a few hundred people in rural villages to several thousand in market towns and large towns and cities with more than 50,000 residents. Everyone should get involved and help celebrate clerks’ fantastic role in supporting councils and the community. Cllr Keith Stevens joined the SLLC Kent Branch to mark Local Council Clerk Week at their Connected Clerks Conference. He gave updates on the Civility and Respect Project and urged local councils nationwide to sign up to the Civility and Respect Pledge. The conference was highly informative and emphasised the importance of continuous learning and professional development. Some other highlights included funding opportunities, utilising AI, and building effective .gov.uk domain websites.
Political party manifestos
This week, the Conservative Party, Green Party, and Liberal Democrat Party launched their general election manifestos, with the Labour Party publishing its later today. Next week, we’ll summarise all critical policies related to local councils.
Association of Public Service Excellence seminar and report
The Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) is a network of local government officers, managers and councillors from principal authorities across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. One of the ways they share information and good practices on council services is through their seminar programme. I was delighted we were invited to contribute to their Southern Region Sports and Leisure Seminar on 6 June 2024. Our head of policy and communications, Justin Griggs, gave a presentation on the role of local councils in improving the quality of life for older residents, providing an overview of our sector and sharing examples of the extraordinary work done by local councils. APSE also launched their Striving to thrive: councillors reflections on local democracy report on councillors last week, which featured civility and respect feature in their findings and recommendations. The research uncovered a startling statistic that 81% of respondents had reported an incident of intimidation or harassment from the public towards a councillor, officer, or other council staff. Helpfully, the report backs our calls to strengthen the standards regime with a recommendation that councillors should be able to be suspended if they breach the code of conduct. Other findings included efforts to widen access to elected roles in local government, which still need to be fixed, continuing policy stagnation, local political structures continuing to divide councillors and devolution, and localism increasing the centralisation of power.
Extra tickets released for our sold-out climate change event
Due to popular demand we’ve released extra tickets for our sold-out online event on climate change which takes place on 26 June 2024. Empowering local (parish and town) councils to force change in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss is vital. Despite their potential, some councils feel shackled by a lack of funding and disempowered in making a tangible impact. Which is why it’s time to change that narrative! Take advantage of our dynamic event that goes beyond rhetoric and witness first-hand examples of impactful initiatives from around the country. Hear from Corsham Town Council who have successfully risen to the challenge, Save Our Shropshire who run a local campaign to hit Net Zero targets by 2023, and The Woodland Trust who run national campaigns and champion climate action. Find out more about the event and how to book your tickets on our website.
NALC strongly backs higher ethical standards for local councils
NALC has again backed the need for higher ethical standards in the local council sector. In our response to a recent consultation from the Committee on Standards in Public Life on public body accountability, we argued there is a growing lack of confidence in the ability to change behaviour that falls below the accepted standard in the sector and there should be more basic training of councillors on the standards regime. Our submission reiterates our ongoing call for the implementation of all the main recommendations from the Committee on Standards in Public Life 2019 report on Local Government Ethical Standards which we want the incoming government to implement in full. The consultation sought views on where public bodies should focus their attention to maximise the likelihood of problems being uncovered and addressed, before issues escalate and lives are damaged.
LGC Awards 2024 win for Cramlington Town Council
Huge congratulations go to Cramlington Town Council for winning an award at the prestigious Local Government Chronicle Awards 2024 last week! Seeing off stiff competition from other tiers of local government including London Borough, city and county councils, the town council won the Community Involvement category for their ‘Community at Heart’ project which judges described as a “testament to their unfaltering dedication to fostering community spirit”. Actor and presenter Will Mellor presented the award to councillors and staff in front of around 1,200 guests, including our head of policy and communications, Justin Griggs, at the event held in London. And well done too to our former NALC colleague Ben Murray who was shortlisted in the Rising Star category for his work at St Helen’s Borough Council. And talking of awards, don’t forget to submit your nominations to our Star Council Awards. These awards recognise the positive impact of the local (parish and town) council sector on communities across England. There are 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 local council operations and highlight the varied contributions made by councils. The nomination period ends on 6 September 2024.
NALC Management Board
Our Management Board met this week, kindly hosted by our partners CCLA. Kelly Watson and Lee Jagger updated us on their Better World initiatives and support for care leavers. They also briefed us on market developments and the products they have available for local councils – do check them out! The Board agreed to allocate additional resources to support new initiatives to improve our support to the sector and strengthen our engagement and influence with the new Parliament and government. Councillors agreed to recommend a small increase in affiliation fees to support our day-to-day work, which will be considered by our National Assembly and Annual General Meeting. The board also agreed to support the Mumsnet parental leave policies campaign by publishing our own HR policies and encourage county associations to do the same.
On the blog: Make Music Day
This week’s blog is about Make Music Day, the global grassroots music festival celebrated in 125 countries, which returns on 21 June. Open to all, this DIY festival encourages anyone to create, host, or perform music events, promoting local talent and musical diversity. Events must be music related, occur on 21 June, and be free to access. The festival transforms public spaces into music venues, enhancing community engagement and fostering new musical interests. Councils are invited to support through assistance and promotion, helping animate communities and boost local economies. For more information, contact info@makemusicday.co.uk. Read the blog to find out more!
Youth summit hosted by NALC, One Voice Wales and SLCC
We are hosting a joint youth engagement summit with One Voice Wales (OVW) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). The virtual event on 18 July 2024 for local (parish, town and community) councils, councillors, clerks and council staff across England and Wales will explore innovative ways to engage and inspire young people. The summit will look at discovering how to create meaningful apprenticeship opportunities that equip young individuals with valuable skills and experience, cultivating the next generation of political leaders, learning ways to empower young people in the community to take their rightful place in the political arena, and delving into the intricacies of how young people can influence policy decisions. The summit promises to be a transformative experience that will equip attendees with the tools and knowledge to unlock the full potential of youth influence in policy-making, celebrate the remarkable achievements of young councillors, be inspired by their dedication and leadership and explore how local councils can support and promote the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award, fostering personal development and community service among youth. You can find out more about the event and how to book tickets on our website.
Improvement and Development Board Taskforces
Under the leadership of its new chair, James Alexander, the Improvement and Development Board (IDB) has set up four taskforces, bringing together experts from different organisations to examine key areas of improvement work: civility and respect; intervention; workforce; and sector data. The taskforces on workforce and intervention have begun their work and the others will meet shortly. Regular reports will be made to the Board, which has a refreshed membership including NALC, Society of Local Council Clerks, Local Government Association (LGA) , Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Association of Democratic Services Officers, Lawyers in Local Government, Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments (SAAA), the chair of the County Officers’ Forum, and other county association representatives.
Audit matters!
Please do make sure that your council completes its Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) by the deadline of 30 June 2024. Failure to do so can lead to additional costs and a public interest report. The SAAA, which procures external audit assurance for the sector, has published its strategic plan for 2024-2027, setting out its plans for the audit regime, including exploring digitising the AGAR process, broadening the audit market and supporting councils to improve governance including internal audit.
NALC briefing on general election 2024 manifestos
Over the last two weeks, the main political parties have been launching their manifestos ahead of the general election on 4 July 2024. We’ve published a short briefing highlighting key commitments in the Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat party manifestos of relevance and interest to local government including local councils.
And finally…
Two free virtual sessions from the LGA look extremely useful and are open to councillors from local councils. Personal safety for newly-elected councillors – 10 July from 2.00 pm – 3.40 pm has been specially devised for newly or recently elected councillors who are keen to improve their awareness of personal safety. The session is full of practical advice and guidance and includes advice on surgeries, canvassing, home visits and managing unexpected doorstep visitors. The promo code for this webinar is PSC120624. And Handling online abuse and intimidation for newly-elected councillors – 23 July from 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm will provide attendees with an awareness of the steps that can be taken to manage trolls and cyber-bullies, including a gentle introduction to the legal framework around social media posts. There will be guidance on being safe online and tips on creating a positive online presence. The promo code for this session is HOA200624. More sessions are planned for the Autumn, I will keep you informed as more information becomes available.
Traffic Regulation Order Consultation – Turners Hill Road
West Sussex County Council proposes to make a permanent Traffic Regulation Order that will introduce a 30 MPH speed limit on Turners Hill Road (B2110) in East Grinstead, from its junction with Hurst Farm Road, south-westwards for 280 metres.
Below is a link to the TRO Team’s consultation web page, containing plans showing the new restriction, the public notice, statement of reasons for proposing the Order, and the draft Order itself. I should be grateful if you could accept this message as the formal consultation on the proposed new Order. If you wish to make any comments or objections to the scheme, please make them to me by e-mail before 27 June 2024. E-mail: martin.moore@westsussex.gov.uk
Improving services for children & young people with special educational needs & disabilities (SEND)
West Sussex Local Area SEND Partnership has set out how it will continue to develop vital services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in West Sussex with the publication of a new improvement plan.
The SEND Improvement Plan has been developed by West Sussex County Council, working in partnership with NHS Sussex as the West Sussex Local Area SEND Partnership.
West Sussex County Council and NHS Sussex are responsible for delivering, planning, and commissioning services for children and young people with SEND. Following the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection, which gave West Sussex Local Area SEND Partnership the middle rating for delivery, planning and commissioning of SEND services, a detailed improvement plan is being implemented to make improvements to ensure all young people with SEND receive the right help and support so that they enjoy positive experiences and outcomes.
The plan focuses on six areas for continued improvement. These are:
• Mainstream and universal provision
• Statutory or specialist support
• Leadership and governance
• Alternative Provision
• Support to prepare for adulthood
• Co-production and communication
The plan details the aim and improvement focus for each area and provides a framework for measuring success.
Councillor Jacquie Russell, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills said: “The SEND Improvement Plan is key to ensuring that we are delivering the best services possible and demonstrates our commitment to improving outcomes for children with SEND in West Sussex.
“Working in partnership with colleagues at NHS Sussex, we have developed a plan that seeks to address the need for improvement highlighted in the latest Ofsted inspection, helping ensure that all children and young people in West Sussex have access to services that can help them fulfil their potential.”
Dr Amy Dissanayake, Interim Chief Medical Officer at NHS Sussex said:
“We are committed to taking swift action to make sure children and young people with SEND receive the right help and support, when they need it. Our joint improvement plan sets out how we will do this with our colleagues at West Sussex County Council and the timescales we have committed to.
“We recognise the challenges many families face in relation to waiting times for some services, with continually increasing levels of need. As a priority, we are working with health and care partners across Sussex to improve the information and support provided while families are waiting for a service, including when transitioning from youth to adult support.
“We will involve children, young people and their families in this work, to ensure that improvements meet children and young people’s special educational needs now and in the future.” You can read the SEND Improvement Plan in full here: SEND improvement plan – West Sussex County Council For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email pressoffice@westsussex.gov.uk. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415.
Unpaid carers praised and encouraged to make the most of free local support
People who provide vital care for family or friends in West Sussex are being encouraged to make the most of free local support.
Speaking at the start of Carers Week, which takes place from 10 – 16 June, Councillor Amanda Jupp, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “Unpaid carers play a key role in keeping vulnerable people safe and well, often in challenging personal circumstances.
“The difference a family or friend carer has on the person they are looking after is huge, but this can create an impact on the carers themselves, whether financial, employment related or on their own health and wellbeing.
“That is why it is crucial that people recognise their caring role and know where to go to access help and advice should they need it.”
Anyone who provides unpaid care for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without support, can be classed as a family or friend carer. This is across all ages, from children to adults.
If this applies to you, then you could be eligible for free support from Carers Support West Sussex, a local charity commissioned by West Sussex County Council to offer services for unpaid carers across the county. It offers information and guidance to family and friend carers, along with practical and emotional support. Carers can visit the Carers Support West Sussex website where they can use the handy Carers Smart Search tool to find information and services relevant to them.
Caroline Pope, CEO at Carers Support West Sussex said: “We understand that carers often struggle to find time for themselves and may not be able to contact services for information such as understanding carer benefits, or where to get a break from their caring role.
“To give carers the freedom to find this information at any time of day or night, we developed an online search tool on our website, called Carers Smart Search. This tool makes researching carer related information easy and relevant and the findings can even be emailed to the carer for future reference. We hope that this simple tool will make it a little easier for carers to find the information they need.”
West Sussex County Council recently announced a new five-year contract with Carers Support West Sussex (CSWS), to provide help and support to carers in West Sussex. CSWS has expertise and specialist knowledge in supporting unpaid carers and strives to ensure carers are seen, heard, and valued.
Practical and emotional support to young carers under the age of 18 is also available and is provided by the county council’s West Sussex Young Carers Service: Young carers – West Sussex County Council
Carers Week is a UK-wide awareness campaign seeking to increase visibility for carers with decision makers, services, employers, communities, and businesses. This year’s theme is ‘Putting Carers on the Map’
NALC News
Chief executive’s bulletin
Star Council Awards are back for 2024!
I’m thrilled about the return of our Star Council Awards! These awards recognise the positive impact of the local (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. Your participation is crucial in raising the awards’ profile and helps us lobby the government for the changes we want. 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. This year, we’ve introduced a new award dedicated to climate response. This award will recognise the proactive efforts of councils in addressing climate change, emphasising the importance of their role in mitigating impacts, adapting to new conditions, and building resilience for both people and nature. By highlighting successful long-term strategies and community engagement, it aims to inspire other councils to take similar actions for a sustainable future. These categories recognise excellence in different areas of local council operations and highlight the varied contributions made by councils. The nomination period ends on 6 September 2024. Once again, we’ll announce the winners at our parliamentary reception in the House of Lords. I also want to thank our award sponsors, Clear Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Cloudy IT and Facilitating the Future, whose support is invaluable in making these awards possible.
NALC visits Yate Town Council for its annual study tour
Our annual study tour embarked on Yate Town Council in Avon this year. The council did a fantastic job hosting the study tour, which was held between 21 and 22 May 2024. Attendees travelled to the council (with powerful links to Banksy, JK Rowling and Paul Weller!) to learn about the council’s pivotal role and brilliant work in shaping local governance and youth provision. On day 1, everyone went on a minibus tour to the Armadillo Youth Café, Kingsgate Park, Peg Hill Skate Park, and the outstanding Yate Outdoor Sports Complex and had a look inside the council’s famous URBIE van (which travels to all areas of Yate and provides direct youth support where it is needed most). Later, attendees networked with current and past Yate town councillors over an evening meal and heard short speeches from Cllr Ben Nutland, mayor of Yate Town Council and Cllr Mike Drew, vice-chair of the NALC’s Larger Councils Committee. On day 2, attendees heard some excellent presentations from all partner organisations involved in youth provision in Yate, including the council, South Gloucestershire District Council, the Armadillo and Learning Partnership West. Thanks to Yate Town Council for being a beacon for youth service provision in the sector and a superb host!
On the blog: Yate Town Council
Keeping with the theme of the study tour, this week’s blog comes from our study tour host, Yate Town Council. The study tour allowed the council to share best practices in youth engagement, showcase its achievements and gain new insights from visiting attendees. The council reflects on sometimes not having time to consider “what have we done well?” and the study tour gave them a moment to do just that. They strongly encouraged other local councils to participate in enriching study tours to benefit their communities, whether hosting or attending. You can read the entire blog on our website.
White Ribbon Steering Group
Our White Ribbon Steering Group met on 28 May 2024 to discuss White Ribbon UK’s recent #ChangeTheStory webinar for accredited organisations, the group’s membership, and year two priorities. The #ChangeTheStory webinar advised organisations to prioritise violence against women and girls, establish domestic abuse policies and review existing policies. The webinar also highlighted the characteristics of effective male allies. Our communications officer, Daisy Petrow, wrote a blog about White Ribbon’s relevance to local councils, which includes some great insights. The group discussed expanding membership to achieve broader geographical representation and involve more councillors. Updates were provided on the action plan, particularly on year two priorities, such as NALC staff training, a toolkit, and a webinar. The next meeting is likely to be in early September.
Improvement and Development Board
The Improvement and Development Board (IDB), whose membership includes NALC, the Society of Local Council Clerks and the Local Government Association (LGA), met on 23 May 2023 to discuss its previous workshops, the data task force, the board membership and terms of reference, and the newly published The Good Councillor’s guide. After input from the LGA and De Montfort University about why data is so important and their experience of its value in local government, the board agreed to set up a data task force. The board previously agreed to set up three other task forces: civility and respect, intervention, and workforce. These task forces will look into these important areas of improvement and development in more detail and make recommendations to the board. The board also decided to increase membership, and I’m delighted the chief executives of the Association of Democratic Officers and Lawyers in Local Government have both agreed to join.
The Good Councillor’s guide
The IDB also provides strategic oversight of initiatives and resources such as NALC’s Good Councillor’s guides and was delighted about its launch. The guide is even more accessible; to read it, visit our website for a free digital version. This revised edition of the guide is a much-needed resource, providing essential guidance for new councillors and those thinking about becoming local councillors. When they join a council, new councillors have much to take in, and the guide can help them understand this. The IDB and I are delighted that the guide has amassed nearly 3,000 downloads in its first two weeks, so grab your free copy today!
Fortnightly county officers call
The general election was the main topic at this week’s meeting between NALC and county officers. There was a discussion about how county associations can work with MPs, especially new ones, after the election itself, and county officers had a chance to ask questions about the pre-election period. The meeting also covered the proposed sessions for the county officer development programme and a recent issue where a district council sought to charge a council for a standards investigation.
Updates to Legal Topic Notes 22 and 23
This week, we reissued Legal Topic Notes (LTN) on disciplinary and grievance arrangements in local councils (LTN 22) and health and safety (LTN 23). The new versions have updated and refreshed the content, and the notes contain links to practical expert guidance. You can find both LTNs on our website in the LTN section within the member’s area.
10 years of Queen’s Park Community Council
It was fantastic to see Queen’s Park Community Council (QPCC) mark its 10th anniversary at the weekend. Our head of policy and communications, Justin Griggs, joined the celebrations on 26 May 2024 of what is London’s first and currently only local council and the first of its type in nearly 80 years! NALC lobbied successfully in the mid-2000s to change the law to allow local councils to be created in London. Not long after the new rules took effect, QPCC’s story began in 2011 when residents started a campaign to establish a community council, submitting a petition to Westminster City Council, which then launched a community governance review to consult the community. Residents backed the move, prompting the city council to hold a referendum in 2012, with 70% of residents voting yes. The first election was held in 2014, and QPCC was officially established. I’m really pleased that NALC has helped QPCC at every step of its remarkable journey, and it was fitting we could join their celebrations, where many of the speakers remarked on our longstanding support. You can read more about QPCC’s history and remarkable journey on its website.
Houghton Regis Town Council Corporate Peer Challenge
A few months ago, between 26 and 28 March 2024, our senior solicitor and legal services manager, Jane Moore, was in Houghton Regis Town Council in Bedfordshire as part of the council’s Corporate Peer Challenge delivered by LGA and NALC. Last Friday, the council received its feedback report, which includes recommendations such as setting formal annual committee and staff objectives to progress corporate plans (including setting measurable annual targets), feedback and next steps. The panel also included Cllr Ian Davis, chair of Newton and Biggin Parish Council and vice-chair of the Warwickshire Association of Local Councils, Shar Roselman, town clerk for Newport Pagnell Town Council, and representatives from the Local Government Association. The Corporate Peer Challenge provides robust, strategic, and credible challenges and support to councils, bringing together political and managerial leadership through member and officer peers.
Proposed locations of new Electric Vehicle chargepoints
Residents are being asked for their views on the proposed locations of several new electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints in Crawley, Horsham, and Mid Sussex.
The proposed locations of the new roadside chargepoints have been selected because either a member of the public has made a request, or the location has been identified as an area with limited off-road parking and a lack of nearby public chargepoints.
Residents who live in the proposed roads have received a letter explaining the proposals and giving details of a four-week consultation which runs until Friday 21 June.
Cllr Joy Dennis, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We know in the coming years more and more people will be making the move towards electric vehicles. So, it’s important to act now to ensure we’re able to support our residents with charging facilities, particularly in areas where people need to park in the street.
“Residents without electric vehicles will still be able to park as normal as there will be no changes to parking restrictions initially. Any possible changes to this approach in the future will go through a further consultation process.”
The proposals form part of the latest round of installations from the West Sussex Chargepoint Network, a partnership between West Sussex County Council, its district and borough partners in Adur, Arun, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex, and Worthing, and Connected Kerb.
So far 215 chargepoints have been installed across West Sussex on the roadside and in district and borough car parks, with many more planned in the coming years.
Please contact Alice Fletcher in respect of the current volunteering opportunities – she would love to hear from you if you have not already been in touch – thank you. a.fletcher@eastgrinstead.gov.uk
It’s that time again and East Court Live is nearly here. The dates for this year are Sunday 2nd June, Sunday 7th July and Sunday 4th August. Live music is from 1-5pm. If you are available to help at any or all of these events, please drop Alice an email with what date and time slots you are available for. Volunteers are required for the slots below or any time you can do.
9am – 11am for set up – putting out signage, bin frames and bunting, setting up EGTC gazebo, top car park etc.
11am-2pm for set up and event support – top car park, emptying bins, managing the public.
2-5pm for event management – top car park, emptying bins, managing the public.
5-7pm for clear up – managing the public leaving the venue, putting away the signage, bin frames, bunting, EGTC gazebo.
D-Day 80th Anniversary – If you are able to help set up from 4-6pm / during the event 6pm-9.15pm or with clear up 9.15-10pm please contact Alice.
Queen Victoria Hospital Public Governor Elections
The QVH has vacancies for 10 public governors, which will be voted for this summer. If you are interested in this volunteering role please see the further information below, closing date for nominations is the 10 June 2024.
Yesterday on 22 May the prime minister Rishi Sunak MP announced the General Election will take place on 4 July 2024. Parliament is likely to be dissolved on 30 May, with next week’s recess cancelled to allow time for some remaining legislation to be completed while others will be dropped. You can read the prime minister’s full statement on the 10 Downing Street website. In the run up to the General Election and then afterwards, we will be working with county associations to engage with current and potential Members of Parliament, political parties, and opinion formers to promote local councils by banging the drum about the difference between local (parish and town) councils make and our future potential. This will include promoting our Manifesto for building stronger communities across England which sets out an offer to a new or returning government on the part local councils can play to support our communities and how they can help us do more and increase our effectiveness.
New national network for smallest local councils
Earlier this week, NALC launched a new national network for the smallest local councils. The NALC National Network: Micro councils are for local councils with an annual precept or expenditure of £10,000 or less. This new network will follow the same model as the six other NALC networks, meeting roughly quarterly by Zoom and discussing issues relevant to the group’s distinct interests. To find out more information about this network and to join, please click here.
National Network: Super Councils
NALC’s National Network: Super councils met on 16 May 2024 to discuss the work of the Rural Services Network, two surveys issued to the network, a proposal from Shared Intelligence on Net Zero and, next year’s Study Visit. The guest speaker was Nadine Trout, assistant chief executive of the Rural Services Network (RSN), who informed the group about the RSN’s campaign for fair funding in rural areas and provided an overview of the Rural Market Town Group, which was run by the RSN, with support from NALC. At the meeting, the network was also encouraged to review feedback from the survey on the network’s future priorities, complete a survey on finance, devolved assets and services and express an interest in potential support on Net Zero from Shared Intelligence and in hosting the 2025 Study Visit. The next meeting is on 13 September 2024.
National Network: Women Councillors
NALC’s National Network: Women councillors met on 20 May 2024 to discuss International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, parental leave, and remote meetings. The group was joined by Louise Soothill, community development officer at Keighley Town Council, who shared how her council celebrated IWD in 2024, talking about how the town council partnered with a local women’s group, the Keighley Soroptimist Club, to host a free event at Keighley College aimed at empowering women and girls to explore opportunities in traditionally male dominated industries. The group had a debate on parental leave, with members sharing their opinions and experiences. The group then discussed remote meetings and reiterated support for councils being able to have remote meetings for numerous reasons such as it can better cater to varying needs, schedules, and people. The group agreed to put code of conduct on the agenda for the next meeting. The next meeting is on 31 July 2024.
LGC story on new town councils in Yorkshire
While it’s good that 92% of England’s geography is covered by local councils, it remains our constitutional objective and key campaign to get the whole country ‘parished’. Working with county association colleagues we have consistently made the case that where local government reorganisation takes place, new parish or town councils should be established where they don’t exist. This is why it was good to see local government trade magazine LGC continue their coverage of our part of local government with a story on the latest consultation about establishing new town councils next year for Harrogate and Scarborough. NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens is quoted in the piece, saying: “All communities in England should have a local (parish and town) council to give people a voice and take action to improve their areas. The latest consultation on creating new town councils for Harrogate and Scarborough is very welcome as over 300 new local councils have been established in the last decade, especially in areas which have undergone local government reorganisation”. Hear hear!
On the blog: Lowering the voting age
This week’s blog is from NALC Star Council Awards 2023 Young Councillor of the Year, Cllr Cameron Palin from East Cowes Town Council, who argues that England should follow Scotland and Wales in granting voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds, highlighting the success of such policies in these regions. Drawing from his own experiences of political engagement since the age of 14, Cameron highlights the ageism young people face and stresses the importance of valuing their perspectives. He underscores the unique insights of young people, particularly on issues like climate change and education, and advocates for their inclusion in local government decisions. He goes on to urge actions such as lobbying MPs, supporting campaigns for lowering the voting age, and improving political education in schools to empower young people and enhance democratic participation. Read the blog to find out more!
Latest Community Ownership Fund window opens on 30 May
Ashley Parish Council, Burntwood Town Council, Calow Parish Council, Falmouth Town Council, Flitwick Town Council, Leominster Town Council, Lynton & Lynmouth Town Council, Newport Parish Council, Normandy Parish Council, St Ives Town Council and Todmorden Town Council collectively secured £2.6 million from the Community Ownership Funding during the third round of the third window. Successful projects from Round 4 Window 1 will be announced shortly. The initiative – which NALC lobbied successfully to be extended to allow applications from our councils – supports communities in preserving, enhancing, or reviving local assets like libraries, halls, pubs, and nature reserves. The final window, round 4 window 2, launches on 30 May 2024 and will close on 26 June 2024. I would encourage councils to apply for this important funding before the window closes!
New Defra Community Green Spaces Fund
Lobbying for access to grant funding is among our key policy objectives and we’ve been pressing the government to build on the Community Ownership Fund by providing further funding opportunities for local councils. Which is why the recent announcement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) of a new Community Green Spaces Fund is extremely welcome, as this will make up to £7 million available until the end of March 2025 for rural organisations including local councils to support capital improvements to rural community greenspaces in England. It is envisaged funds will be available for capital expenditure for projects that aim to create, restore, and enhance green spaces such as landscaping, planting, installation of natural play facilities, paths and seating. And we are expecting the fund to use the current rural definition of under 10,000 population. We’re engaging with Defra and our Rural Coalition colleagues Action with Communities in Rural England to get the fund set up and open as soon as possible, but in the meantime I wanted councils in rural areas to be aware of the fund as you may have projects in the pipeline which could be supported or to encourage you to start thinking about how you may use the funding. Rural community groups and local councils interested in the fund are encouraged to register their details with ACRE to receive more information about the fund when this becomes available, we’ll also be sharing details when we have them.
MemberWise Digital Excellence 2024
Last week, NALC colleagues, including the Management Board champion for AI, Cllr Paul Harvey from the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Association of Local Councils, attended the MemberWise Digital Excellence 2024 conference, themed “Redefining Member Experience and Value in the Digital Era.” This annual event, organised by the MemberWise Network, offers membership and association professionals a unique opportunity to explore the latest digital achievements, best practices, and strategies to enhance their organisations’ digital capabilities. The conference proved to be an invaluable resource, enabling my colleagues to delve into topics such as how AI can be used to improve the accessibility of a website, the benefits of an online member community platform, and improving member engagement through localising and segmenting information. MemberWise is an independent professional network that serves over 8,000 member association professionals by providing guidance, advice, and networking opportunities.
White Ribbon webinar with Jess Phillips MP
NALC’s White Ribbon steering group attended a webinar hosted by White Ribbon UK on 14 May 2024. Featuring Jess Phillips MP, the event highlighted her journey into political activism, driven by a personal commitment to supporting vulnerable communities. Jess detailed her successful lobbying for mandatory women’s refuges in the 2015 Labour manifesto, which led to a law requiring tier-one unitary authorities to provide refuge accommodation for women. She advised organisations to prioritise concrete policies over PR gestures and stressed the importance of community-led change. She also emphasised the crucial role men can play as active allies in combating domestic abuse. Find out more about White Ribbon.
Great Big Green Week 8 – 16 June
The Great Big Green Week will take place between 8 and 16 June 2024, providing an opportunity for local communities across the country to come together in a week-long celebration of action to tackle climate change and protect our natural world. Save the date and get planning your activities, or why not link up with other local groups to connect with existing events? Find everything you need to take part in the Great Big Green Week at greatbiggreenweek.com today. And on top of that, if you add your events to the website, you’ll be sent a free pack of branded materials to display at your events – including posters, flyers, bunting and more!
Minutes of NALC Finance and Scrutiny, Policy, Smaller Councils and Larger Councils committees
NALC publishes updated edition of The Good Councillor’s Guide
This week we published the updated edition of The Good Councillor’s guide, an essential tool for all parish and town councillors, whether new, aspiring, or existing local (parish and town) council members. The guide is designed to provide practical insights into the workings of local democracy and how councillors can effectively contribute to it. It serves as a stepping stone to becoming a good councillor. The guide is divided into ten comprehensive sections, each covering a crucial aspect of a councillor’s role. It is a must-read for new councillors, ensuring they understand their responsibilities, limitations, and the reasons behind them. The guide is free to members in our website’s development tools section of the member’s area. In this section, you can also find our suite of other good councillor guides on community business, cyber security, employment, finance and transparency, neighbourhood planning and transport planning.
Welcome to the May 2024 edition of our Residents’ eNewsletter, featuring the latest news and updates from your county council.
Coast, countryside or both – you choose!
The weather’s warming up, the evenings are long and light, so get off the sofa and start exploring wonderful West Sussex!
And it’s not just about fun in the sun – one of the best things we can do for our mental health and wellbeing is to be active – it’s a natural mood booster.
When we’re active, the body releases feel-good hormones that can improve our mood and boost our energy. They can also reduce anxiety and stress and help us sleep better.
Take a look at our Experience West Sussex website on the link below for ideas to help you make the most of next Bank Holiday weekend, and here’s how to contact us over that weekend.
The £2 single bus fare is available until the end of December 2024, so hop on a bus for less.
Young people can save even more on their bus fares by simply asking for the 16 to 20 Bus Saver discount. This unlocks reduced fares via bus operator apps or from the bus driver when they show relevant ID.
If you’re eligible for a free bus pass take a moment to apply for one or renew your pass if needed (free for people with certain disabilities or those of state pension age).
If you live in a rural area, try Book-a-Bus – a flexible bus service connecting some of our rural communities. Travel within set zones or use the service to connect to onward travel if you want to go further afield. The service is flexible, affordable, and there when you need it.
Return equipment and help others in need
Do you or someone you care for have items of care equipment borrowed from the county council’s service provider, Millbrook Healthcare, that you no longer use?
If so, you can now book an appointment and take unused items to any of the council’s Recycling Centres.
Items that can be refurbished and reused will help improve availability and assist people who are recovering or who need extra help to stay living independently in their own homes.
Reusing and recycling equipment is better for the environment, reduces the need for new equipment to be produced, and reduces our carbon footprint.
If you have larger equipment or cannot access the drop off points, contact Millbrook Healthcare on 0345 127 2931 or email westsussexcontactus@millbrookhealthcare.co.uk to arrange collection.
Events are being staged across West Sussex to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June and in recognition of the county’s key role in preparations for the Normandy Landings.
On 6 June 1944, or D-Day, Allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. In the build-up, thousands of troops were billeted in West Sussex.
Residents are invited to learn more about these historic times via one of West Sussex Library Service’s online resources, or to mark the anniversary by attending an exhibition or other event.
The photo shows a casualty evacuation in Albert Road, Bognor Regis. Courtesy Frank L’Alouette Collection by kind permission of his daughter Jeanette Hickman, now deposited at West Sussex Record Office. Copyright WSCC Library Service. View thousands more local historic images on our Past Pictures website.
Would you open your heart and home to a local child?
It’s Foster Care Fortnight (13 to 26 May), and this year’s theme is #FosteringMoments, celebrating the incredible difference that foster carers make every day.
West Sussex foster carer Tracey sums it up: “When you welcomed a teenager late one evening, she stays for a few nights, but remains in touch because you made a difference when she needed it most.”
There are many types of care, from respite (usually one weekend a month) to Supported Lodgings, where you can help a young person aged 16 to 24 learn the skills needed to live independently.
While the children that we care for are all in safe accommodation, a number are living a significant distance from their school and friends. A total of 65% of these young people are aged 11 to 17 and need to find someone like you to guide them through this important time in their lives.
Our foster carers receive comprehensive training, ongoing professional support and a competitive financial package of up to £30,393 per year, per child.
It’s Volunteers’ Week from 3 to 9 June and we want to thank the many volunteers who choose to regularly give up their time to work with our services for the benefit of local people.
This year is the 40th Anniversary and we would like to recognise the long-term contribution that volunteers have made across our services.
Some of our current volunteer roles have been in existence for over 10 years including with our youth justice service, young carers, library and fire and rescue services, waste prevention and countryside rangers, to name just a few.
If you want to experience the benefits of volunteering without a long-term commitment then visit The Big Help Out which runs from 7 to 9 June.
Come together and lend a hand in your local community to experience how rewarding volunteering can be and the power it has to make a difference.
If you’re interested in standing in the county council elections in May 2025, visit one of our drop-in ‘Be a Councillor’ drop-in events, currently being held at libraries around the county.
There is also an event at County Hall, Chichester on Tuesday 18 June at 6.30pm.
To find out more about these events and to request a place at the Chichester event, visit the link below or email democratic.services@westsussex.gov.uk.
A rogue trader has been sent to prison for a second time for conning West Sussex residents into paying over £149,000 for substandard work.
Spring Covid-19 booster vaccinations are being offered to those most at risk including adults aged 75 years and over, older adult care home residents and those aged six months and over with a weakened immune system. Use the NHS App or go online to book an appointment, which is available through a mixture of walk-in and booked appointments at pharmacies and GP practices.
Tell us what’s important to you: your favourite places to experience nature in Sussex, the wildlife you love to see, and whether you’ve noticed any changes (good or bad) to habitats and species locally. You don’t have to be an expert to take part!
The books have been chosen and endorsed by health professionals and people with lived experience.
There are books giving information and advice, personal stories and children’s fiction. The books can be requested free of charge in all West Sussex libraries in a range of formats.
Did you receive this eNewsletter from a friend? Sign up here.
Reminder: We have more than 40 eNewsletters on a wide variety of topics including Envrionment & Climate Change, Walking & Cycling, Highways & Transport, Recycling, Weather Alerts and Staying Safe Online. View all topics here
Traffic Regulation Order Consultation East Grinstead
West Sussex County Council proposes to make a permanent Traffic Regulation Order that will amend parking restrictions on roads in The East Grinstead Controlled Parking Zone as follows:
West Hill: to remove a single yellow line restriction on the northern side of the road and replace it with a restriction prohibiting waiting at any time (double yellow lines)
Fairfield Road: to remove a pay and display parking bay on the western side of the road and replace it with a parking bay for permit holders 9am to 5pm Mon to Sat except bank holidays
Canteloupe Road: to change the restriction on a pay and display parking bay on the eastern side of the road to permit its use by permit holders in addition to pay and display users.
Railway Approach: to remove a parking bay on the southern side of the road and replace it with double yellow lines.
Below is a link to the TRO Team’s consultation web page, containing plans showing the new restriction, the public notice, statement of reasons for proposing the Order, and the draft Order itself. This is a formal consultation on the above order. If you wish to make any comments or objections to the scheme, please make them by e-mail before 23 May 2024 to Martin Moore Legal Officer: Adur, Arun, Mid Sussex & Worthing – TRO Team martin.moore@westsussex.gov.uk
Meeting between NALC and Society of Local Council Clerks leadership teams
NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, and vice-chairs Cllr Peter Davey and Cllr David Francis met their Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) counterparts last week on 25 April 2024 to discuss areas of mutual interest. The focus of the meeting was the state of local government finance generally and what might be the implications for local (parish and town) councils. We agreed to work closely to monitor the situation, provide advice and support and engage with the Local Government Association (LGA) and other national bodies. We noted progress on our respective attendance at the LGA’s Annual Conference from 2 – 4 July 2024 in Harrogate aimed at raising the profile of the sector with over 1,200 delegates from principal authorities, which this year will include our first joint stand in the exhibition. Our focus will be on how our part of local government can help address the challenges facing the country by “working together to build stronger communities”. The meeting also discussed other joint initiatives, including a joint event on youth engagement, the Civility and Respect Project and workforce development.
Meeting with trade union Association of Local Council Clerks
Keith and I were joined by our new Management Board workforce lead, Cllr Bob Blezzard from the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils, to meet with Linda Hedley, general secretary the Association of Local Council Clerks (ALCC) trade union, on 25 April 2024. We heard about the development of the trade union since 2016 with its membership now standing at around 1000 local council clerks and other officers. We discussed matters of mutual interest including promoting civility and respect in the workplace and involving the union in our workforce work, agreeing to meet regularly, at least twice a year.
Hertfordshire Sports and Physical Activity Partnership Conference
Promoting our councils’ role in health and wellbeing has been one of NALC’s campaign themes for several years, with plenty of resources on our website and several events held. Which is why it was good to be invited to join around 60 delegates from local councils across Hertfordshire at the Hertfordshire Sport and Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) conference on active ageing on 26 April. With the number of UK over-50s standing at 21 million people and set to grow dramatically over the next few years, our society and policies need to change now to keep up with this radical shift. Local councils can help in many ways, especially as increasing physical activity is key, with the World Health Organisation estimating around 3 million deaths across the globe can be attributed to inactivity. I shared with delegates what NALC, county associations and councils were doing across the country, and it was encouraging to hear so many examples of good work by Hertfordshire’s councils.
Larger Councils Committee
The Larger Councils Committee held its in person meeting for the year at NALC’s offices in London on 30 April. Here are a few highlights:
The committee noted the update from Management Board on its work plan and asked for cyber security to be included in our work on artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, they requested that resources from the Study Tour be shared more widely and the number of places increased in future years. They also suggested that consideration should be given to start times for the National Network: Super Councils, as part of an effort to get more councillors involved.
A discussion took place on artificial intelligence and its application to larger councils, including what it means in local government terms, how it impacts the operations and service delivery of larger councils now and in the future.
The committee were joined remotely by Jennifer Bevan, finance advisory network advisor at The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), who gave a presentation on financial resilience in local government, speaking about the pillars of resilience, risks and warning signs, best practice and the way forward.
Updates were also provided on the work of the Martyn’s Law Steering Group and our national networks on coastal communities, climate emergency and super councils.
NALC online event on trends in local government finance
NALC hosted an online event on emerging trends in local government finance on 25 April 2024. Our expert panel featured Annie Child, Derek Kemp, Cllr Graham Oakes, and Steve Parkinson who shed light on current financial challenges and provided practical insights for local councils to navigate them efficiently. The discussion centred around safeguarding local councils from financial threats anticipated in the coming years. Steve Parkinson highlighted concerns about councils depleting their reserves, leading to inevitable council tax increases due to risky financial strategies and inadequate decision making. Derek Kemp emphasised the importance of reserves in financing council services and referenced The Practitioners’ Guide as essential for determining reserve policies. Annie Child introduced the Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA) and provided tips for a successful audit. And Cllr Graham Oakes showcased Yeovil Town Council’s success in preserving various services. Find out more about NALC online events.
Joint NALC/One Voice Wales/SLCC online summit on youth engagement – Save the date!
I’m really excited to be joining forces with our colleagues One Voice Wales and SLCC on a joint summit on youth engagement on 18 July 2024. This all-day online event will examine the many different aspects of engagement with young people by community, parish and town councils in England and Wales. More information and a booking link will follow, but for now, save the date!
On the blog: Maternal mental health
This week’s blog post, written by Charlotte Eisenhart, NALC’s head of member services, emphasises the importance of supporting maternal mental health, particularly during and after pregnancy. Charlotte highlights the alarming statistics of maternal mental illness and its impact on mothers and fathers, emphasising the need for community support. She urges local councils to address this issue, suggesting practical steps such as providing information about support services, ensuring accessible outdoor spaces for families, installing baby changing facilities, funding local support groups, encouraging businesses to be family friendly, and conducting surveys to understand community needs better. By rallying community support, local councils can play a significant role in combating the stigma surrounding maternal mental health and creating a supportive environment for families. Read the blog to find out more!
Fortnightly meeting between NALC and county officers
This week’s meeting between NALC and county officers included an update on the new updated edition of the Good Councillor’s Guide that is due out soon. The meeting received updates on NALC’s work including the latest quarterly report and the creation of new councils (where getting the boundaries right was emphasised). There was also a discussion on topics for future meetings based on priorities identified by county officers.
Long-Term Plan for Towns webinar
I was pleased that NALC was asked by the chair of the government’s new Towns Unit, Adam Hawksbee (who is also deputy director of the think tank Onward), to help organise a well-attended webinar on 24 April on the Long-Term Plan for Towns for our local councils in the 75 areas which will receive funding. In September 2023, the Prime Minister launched the Long-Term Plan for Towns as part of its levelling up programme, selecting 55 towns across Great Britain to receive funding. At the Spring Statement, the Chancellor confirmed additional funding worth £400 million to extend this programme to an additional 20 towns, bringing the total investment to £1.5 billion. Adam hosted the webinar, and in his introductory remarks, he thanked NALC for our support before going on to remark that he was unashamedly a champion for local councils, citing Onward’s Double Devo report, which makes the case for empowering our councils. He spoke in depth about the programme’s guidance, timescales, and support before taking questions from attendees (which included colleagues from SLCC), on issues ranging from monitoring and evaluation, involvement in Town Boards and sharing good practice.
New resources added to NALC’s banking webpage
Following a recent meeting held by Chris Borg, policy manager and LINK, which is the coordinating body that assesses all bank branch closures and recommends banking hubs in areas that meet set criteria, two useful LINK resources have been added to the dedicated banking page on the NALC website. The LINK community request scheme can be used by local councils and others to put in a request for either an ATM or a banking hub. And the LINK Cash Locator shows all current places to access cash for free and which will be of use to local councils who want to identify the nearest ATM provision and free cash access for residents in their area.
And finally…
Today the local and mayoral elections take place in several parts of the country, including elections for many of our local councils! Good luck to everyone standing for election, and for those of who have decided to stand down, thank you for your service to your communities.
Gatcom News
East Hoathly and Halland Neighbourhood Plan
The Examiner’s Report for the East Hoathly with Halland Neighbourhood Plan has now been received and is available to view on Wealden District Council’s Neighbourhood Planning page here. Wealden District Council will now consider each of the Examiner’s recommendations and the reasons for them and the Neighbourhood Plan will be modified to ensure that it meets the basic conditions. A formal decision will then be made by Wealden District Council on whether the Plan can progress to Referendum. Our website will be updated when a decision has been made.
The Planning Policy Team
Planning Policy, Wealden District Council
Council Offices | Vicarage Lane | Hailsham | East Sussex | BN27 2AX http://www.wealden.gov.uk
Ninfield Neighbourhood Plan
The Examiner’s Report for the Ninfield Neighbourhood Plan has now been received and is available to view on Wealden District Council’s Neighbourhood Planning page here. Wealden District Council will now consider each of the Examiner’s recommendations and the reasons for them and the Neighbourhood Plan will be modified to ensure that it meets the basic conditions. A formal decision will then be made by Wealden District Council on whether the Plan can progress to Referendum. Our website will be updated when a decision has been made.
The Planning Policy Team
Planning Policy, Wealden District Council
Council Offices | Vicarage Lane | Hailsham | East Sussex | BN27 2AX http://www.wealden.gov.uk
Communication from Michele Hulme Head of Local Highway Operations – Highways, Transport & Planning Directorate
Dear Parish & Town Councils,
As you will be aware, we have experienced unprecedented levels of rain and named storm events over this autumn/winter. To put this in context, over the past 5 months (October- Feb) we have had more rain than we would normally have in a year. February saw the highest level of rain since records began and in the first week of this month, we have already experienced a month’s worth of rain.
Unfortunately, with these conditions’ potholes can form as water seeps under the road surface and saturates the substrate, leading to a hydraulic effect as vehicles pass over. This is particularly the case where we have ‘evolved roads’ which don’t have formal construction layers or where we have existing damage to road surfaces. It is therefore unsurprising that we are now seeing a large number of issues on the network, and we are experiencing very high numbers of customer reports.
I wanted to assure you we are doing all we can to manage the volume of enquiries though extended working/over-time.
Our contractor’s safety repair gangs are working twilight shifts and Saturdays to manage the increased number of safety jobs. We have also increased the number of gangs and will continue to add to this resource but as I am sure you will appreciate, sourcing additional gangs at this time is very difficult and is a national issue.
In addition, we have find & fix gangs who are predominately operating in urban areas and, when weather permits, we continue to run a jet patcher in more rural areas (this resource will increase again from next month).
We continue with the ‘Right Time Approach’ we adopted last spring where the default is for potholes to be “Sides Sawn and Sealed”. Whilst these repairs take longer, we won’t carry out temporary repairs unless an emergency or where a large-scale patching/resurfacing is imminent.
In terms of drainage, in our normal cleansing programme we have cleansed 90,000 gullies this year. In addition, we have 4 gully suckers operating across the network carrying reactive work to alleviate flooding issues. They have tackled over 600 jobs on our highest priority sites.
To enable the Highway Teams to effectively deal with the volume of safety issues being reported, we will pause non-statutory activities for an initial period of 4 weeks, which we start from today and we will review on the 15/04/2024 .
Our response times to customers on general enquiries from 10-20 days. Please continue to report issues via our website. Of course, if you have urgent issues then please call 01243 642105. Between 8.00am and 6pm, Monday – Friday, our Customer Service Centre will deal with the immediate response or ensure the matter is escalated to a member of the highways team. Calls made out of hours are taken by our contractor’s contact centre.
A summary of the temporary measures are detailed below. We appreciate your support at this very busy and challenging time.
Temporary measures ( from 18th March 2024 to 15/04/2024)
Extend Service Level Agreement for customer responses – up to 20 days.
Pause non-essential licensing activities (e.g., Licences such as Vehicle Crossovers, Planting Licences and Access Protection Line requests).
Pause responses to general enquiries, including Community Highway Schemes, Community Traffic Regulation Orders, Third Party Claims
We will add pop ups to the webpages to advise members of the public of paused activities.
Recycling Centres extend opening hours from 1 April 24
Recycling Centres across West Sussex will switch to extended spring/summer opening hours from 1 April 2024, giving residents more opportunity to recycle their household waste.
Residents need to make an appointment before visiting all West Sussex Recycling Centres. Slots are easy to book and can be made up to 14 days in advance or on the same day where available.
The spring/summer opening hours will remain in place until 30 September 2024 and will not be affected by bank holidays, including Easter Monday which falls on 1 April.
Cllr Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Ensuring our residents can recycle as much as possible in a cost effective way is an important element of our Council Plan. As we approach springtime and warmer weather our Recycling Centres are usually at their busiest. To help accommodate this, we are providing longer opening hours to give residents more opportunity to visit the sites.
“An added benefit of our ‘Book to Recycle’ system means residents will be able to easily see when their local site is open when making an appointment.”
From 1 April 2024, Recycling Centres will be open as follows:
Billingshurst open 9am to 6pm every day except Thursday and Friday.
Bognor Regis open 9am to 6pm every day except Thursday and Friday.
Burgess Hill open 9am to 6pm every day.
Chichester open 9am to 6pm every day.
Crawley open 9am to 6pm every day.
East Grinstead open 9am to 6pm every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
Horsham open 9am to 6pm every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
Littlehampton open 9am to 6pm every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
Midhurst open 9am to 6pm every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
Shoreham-by-Sea open 9am to 6pm every day except Monday and Tuesday.
* We can also offer shorter, workshop-style events and online training.
Pippa O’Connor Marketing and Communications Officer Sussex Prisoners’ Families
Easter Playdates – April 2024
NALC News
Chief executive’s bulletin
Government officials visit NALC Council of the Year
Promoting our sector to government and improving understanding of the great work local (parish and town) councils do, as well as the issues they face, remains an important part of our work engaging with the government. That’s why I was delighted we secured a visit by several officials from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to NALC’s Star Council Awards 2024 Council of the Year (sponsored by Blachere Illumination), Braunstone Town Council. A delegation of six civil servants visited the town council on 6 March 2024, where they met and held discussions with councillors, staff, and partner organisations. They toured several council facilities and projects, including the civic centre, library, new footpath/cycle path, multi-use leisure/sports areas, community centre. I’m hugely grateful to colleagues at the town council for all their hard work organising and delivering such a successful visit!
Spring Budget 2024
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, presented his Spring Budget to Parliament on 6 March 2024. Measures of interest for local government include:
Extension of the Household Support Fund for a further six months.
£400m of funding to expand the Long-Term Plan for Towns to 20 new towns in England, Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland.
National Insurance cut by 2p in the pound for employees and the self-employed.
As announced in the local government finance settlement, principal authorities have been asked to produce productivity plans by July 2024 setting out how they will improve service performance, utilise data and technology, and reduce wasteful spend.
Scrapping tax breaks for owners of holiday let properties.
Fuel duty frozen, with the 5p cut in fuel duty on petrol and diesel due to end later this month kept for another year.
Office for Budget Responsibility predicts UK economy to grow by 0.8% this year and 1.9% next year.
Growth of 2% predicted for 2026, with 1.8% in 2027 and 1.7% in 2028.
UK’s inflation rate forecast to fall below 2% target by the end of June, falling to 1.5% next year.
On the blog: ACRE on Village Halls Week 2024
This week’s blog is from Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). They write about Village Halls Week 2024, which aims to promote environmental action, focusing on rural communities’ potential to lead in the battle for net zero. With a growing climate crisis, the week encourages village halls to adopt sustainable practices such as energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption, and digital technology utilisation to reduce carbon emissions. The campaign highlights the importance of village halls as community hubs and encourages behaviour towards sustainability. A highlight is the launch of energy efficiency guidance featuring successful case studies from Cumbria, Lancashire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, and Somerset. The initiative also encourages involvement through open days, events, and social media sharing that aims to inspire and empower communities to act. Read the blog to find out more!
Finance and Scrutiny Committee
NALC’s Finance and Scrutiny Committee met remotely on 12 March 2024 and discussed our financial performance to 31 December 2023, noting no significant issues of concern to report. It agreed an inflationary increase to NALC councillor and officer expense rates in line with national recommendations. The committee also set up a task and finish group to consider any changes to the presentation of future accounts to the National Assembly and noted our latest GDPR log, agreeing that two small breaches required no further action.
Martyn’s Law Steering Group meeting
The NALC and Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) Martyn’s Law steering group held its latest online meeting on Thursday 7 March 2024. Here are a few highlights:
The group received an update on headline findings from the recent snapshot survey on the Home Office standard tier consultation which will inform NALC and SLCC’s responses. While respondents welcomed the Home Office’s efforts to ease some of the standard tier requirements, it was noted that compliance could still be challenging for certain local councils. Councils are requesting a standard tier evaluation form, sector-specific training, and tailored support and guidance.
There were mixed views on whether the standard tier minimum threshold, which the government are not proposing to change despite concerns expressed by NALC and other bodies such as ACRE, should be retained as it was noted this would cause some resource issues for smaller local councils managing venues such as village halls and their user groups.
NALC and SLCC would include in their responses that the current proposed requirements for standard tier compliance could make it harder for local councils to secure certain types of insurance. The steering group also suggested further work to share good practice examples of how local councils currently plan for potential terrorist attacks in their areas.
Local audit backlog consultation
NALC recently responded to the government’s consultation on addressing the local audit backlog in England, intensifying its campaign to exempt local councils from entering the rigorous Category 1 full audit regime. In our response, NALC backed the Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA) proposal to eliminate the existing minimum threshold of £6.5 million per annum for the full audit regime, arguing local councils and internal drainage boards should be classified as smaller authorities, irrespective of their turnover. Our response also called for an increase to the £25,000 audit threshold and introduction of a transparency code for councils with turnover between this lower threshold and £200,000. Read the full consultation response here. You can also read the SAAA response here.
International Women’s Day recap
8 March was International Women’s Day (IWD) which saw local councils across the country celebrate with various initiatives honouring the contributions and achievements of women in their communities. From hosting events and workshops to sharing stories on social media, local councils highlighted the importance of gender equality and empowerment. Keighley Town Council celebrated IWD in collaboration with Keighley Soroptimist Club, hosting a free event at Keighley College aimed at empowering women and girls to explore opportunities in traditionally male dominated industries. Representatives from various sectors, including Yorkshire Water, Transdev, Incommunities, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Smart Works Leeds, and West Yorkshire Police, came together alongside community organisations supporting women. Similarly, Bridgnorth Town Council honoured remarkable women in their community through sharing daily stories on Facebook, culminating in a video message from the mayor commemorating the occasion and acknowledging the significant contributions of women throughout history, including Mayor Phoebe Matilda Weale, the town’s first female mayor in 1932, symbolising progress since women gained equal voting rights in England just four years prior. Find out how NALC celebrated IWD.
Digital Democracy Partnership
Charlotte Eisenhart, head of member services, attended a meeting of the Digital Democracy Partnership, which explored a new Digital Democracy Maturity Framework being developed by the Local Government Association (LGA). This digital democracy partnership developed over the pandemic as part of a sector wide response to holding remote council meetings, and later campaigned for the reinstatement of the power to hold remote meetings. This group is made up of other national bodies such as the LGA, Lawyers in Local Government, the Association of Democratic Services Officers and the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny. It is now a valuable forum to explore wider opportunities related to digital democracy.
LGA event on Artificial Intelligence
Justin Griggs, head of policy and communications, attended the hybrid panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence, hosted by our LGA colleagues on 7 March. Speakers Jenny McEneaney from LGA, Sarah Pena from Swindon Borough Council, Felicity Burch from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Jennifer Schooling from Anglia Ruskin University and Sue Daley from TechUK, shared their thoughts on three key themes of risks, rewards and readiness. Jenny gave an overview of LGA’s work since 2019 on data and more recently AI, plus support available to ensure the “sensible use of AI in local government”, including the establishment of a councils network. Using drones to inspect council housing rooves was among the uses of AI by Swindon Borough Council, alongside trialling other uses and improving skills. AI “is an exciting opportunity, but risky” said Felicity, who also stressed how governance was crucial in addressing ethical issues, and her department was keen to engage with local government. Jennifer highlighted the importance of building capacity and capability in organisations alongside collaboration. Sue pointed out local government wasn’t alone in looking at how to use AI effectively, that digital transformation wasn’t over and that AI was part of the journey, and being AI ready required infrastructure/tools, governance, data, skills and collaboration. If this has piqued your interest, remember that places are still available at NALC’s online Decoding the future of artificial intelligence in local governance on 24 July!
NALC chair’s meeting with local government minister
Last week, NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, had an introductory meeting with the new local government minister, Simon Hoare MP. Keith was struck by the minister’s genuine appreciation and support for the part our local (parish and town) councils play in local government to improve communities. The minister, who has previously been a parish councillor, set out his desire to work closely with NALC on the wide range of issues facing the sector and agreed to speak at some of our meetings and events. Keith took the opportunity to brief the minister on his open letter and priorities for the next two years, in particular highlighting standards in public life and our work through the Civility and Respect Project. Since the minister took up his role at the end of last year, both Keith and our president, Baroness Scott of Needham Market, have been lobbying him to take a fresh look at the government’s approach to ethical standards in local government. The minister confirmed he had heard loud and clear our concerns and case to strengthen the regime and was actively considering this further. Keith also pressed the minister to look at remote meetings, outlining the numerous benefits this would bring to local democracy. The minister supported the principle of councils having the flexibility to hold meetings remotely but that some meetings should still be held in person, confirming this was another issue he was looking at. Other issues discussed included the Office for Local Government, local audit, local government finance, sector support and following NALC’s representations work underway by the government on parish polls, community governance reviews and dependent’s carers allowances for councillors.
Preventing harassment and bullying in the workplace conference
Standards in public life and safety for public figures has been top of the political agenda again over the last week. I was pleased to join colleagues from the public and private sectors at a Westminster Insight event on preventing harassment and bullying in the workplace where I spoke about our work with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) to promote civility and respect, including the resources available to promote training, good governance and our civility pledge (now signed by 1435 councils). My key takeaways from the event were the importance of inclusive leadership, early intervention and calling out micro-aggressions. I was also struck by the contribution from Tina Chander, head of employment law at Wright Hassall, who concluded from a representative survey of 2000 people that “what was clear is that workplace bullying and/or harassment are currently significant workplace issues in businesses of all industries and sizes.” It was also good to note that many businesses and sectors are working hard to address this problem.
NALC National Networks: Coastal communities
NALC’s coastal communities network held its latest online meeting on 27 February 2024. Luke Homes-Douglas, from The Crown Estate, delivered a riveting presentation on his contribution to The Crown Estate’s emerging Marine Litter Strategy (MLS) for England. Luke shared his Coastline Running Initiative, where he actively collects shoreline plastic in collaboration with councils, schools, and local organisations. The network was also joined by Paul Johnson, from Natural England who gave a fascinating presentation on King Charles III England Coast Path and provided insights into coastal access and private beaches. Colleagues also discussed the results of our survey launched in November which is aimed at shaping the network’s meetings for the next two years. It was good the survey showed 80% of respondents enjoy the network sessions and find the topics interesting, informative, and relevant! The network’s next meeting is on 23 May 2024, so if you’re a local council in a coastal area or are interested in coastal issues and want to connect with your colleagues, please do sign up.
On the blog: British Heart Foundation
This week’s blog is by Clive Rowlandson, marketing manager at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), discusses BHF’s mission to triple survival rates from out of hospital cardiac arrests by 2030. They aim to do this through two main campaigns: increasing defibrillator installations and training more people in CPR. To support defibrillator installation, a special offer on Defibrillator bundles is available for local town and parish councils and non-profits. To qualify, councils must commit to accessibility, provide suitable locations, and register on The Circuit – a national defibrillator network. The blog emphasises the importance of registering defibrillators on The Circuit to ensure quick access during emergencies, reducing response time. CPR training is also crucial, and the BHF offers a free online tool called RevivR, requiring only a mobile phone and a cushion to teach CPR skills in just 15 minutes. Please read the blog to find out more.
NALC National Network: Super Councils
NALC’s National Network for Super Councils met online on 14 February 2024, chaired by the network’s co-chair, Cllr Mike Drew. Here are a few highlights:
Natalie Turner, deputy director, and Charlotte Lewis, network manager, from the Centre for Ageing Better (CFAB), gave an informative presentation on how local councils can work better to create age-friendly communities in their areas. They spoke about CFAB’s drive to encourage more towns to become age friendly and were keen for the network to play its part by getting involved and inspiring more councils to take an age friendly approach. Town councils that had adopted the approach were invited to share examples of the kinds of age-friendly activities they were undertaking by e-mailing charlotte.lewis@ageing-better.org.uk.
Anders Hanson, member services manager, provided an update on the NALC/Local Government Association (LGA) corporate peer challenge programme for larger councils and invited councillors and clerks to get participate as peers, outlining that training would be provided. Larger councils interested in putting themselves forward for the peer challenge programme or joining a review team as a peer should email Anders.Hanson@nalc.gov.uk.
Sevenoaks Town Council introduced an item on the sharing of contact details following local council elections. They outlined how when a candidate runs for election to a local council, the principal authority collects their contact details. However, after being elected, some principal authorities do not share these details with the clerk, making it difficult for them to issue a summons for the councillor to attend their first meeting. Data protection rules was cited as a reason for not sharing contact details with clerks, although most clerks had a legitimate interest in the data. It was agreed NALC would take this issue up with the Electoral Commission and Association of Electoral Administrators and propose a new tick box be added to the nomination form, specifying candidate consent for personal details to be passed to the relevant local council upon election.
Out and abouts
Charlotte Eisenhart, head of member services, joined county officers from across the South West of England on 21 February at their annual away day. They discussed the various national improvement initiatives, including the Local Council Award Scheme, and undertook a review of key areas of risk and opportunities facing NALC and county associations. It was a positive and productive discussion and a great opportunity to meet in person and build stronger relationships between our organisations. And this week, Charlotte chaired the Women in Local Government Conference organised by Dods Events. The event was attended by women from across the local government sector who wanted to think about how to address the barriers affecting women’s progression and developing careers in times of change.
Housebuilding market study published
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published the final report for the housebuilding market study on 26 February 2024. The report covers their findings, concerns identified, and an assessment of potential interventions to address them. A key finding is that the complex and unpredictable planning system and the limitations of speculative private development are responsible for the persistent under delivery of new homes. The study also found concerns about estate management charges, where homeowners often encounter high and unclear fees for managing facilities such as roads, drainage, and green spaces – echoing concerns previously highlighted by NALC to the CMA last year. The study also revealed apprehensions regarding the quality of some new housing. Recommendations include requiring councils to adopt amenities on all new housing estates, introducing enhanced consumer protections for homeowners on existing privately managed estates, and establishing a New Homes Ombudsman as soon as possible and setting a single mandatory consumer code so homeowners can better pursue homebuilders over any quality issues they face.
Commonwealth Day 2024
This year, Commonwealth Day is being celebrated on 11 March 2024, marking the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth and designated as the Commonwealth Year of Youth. On this day, the Union Flag must be flown on UK government department buildings. Additionally, if there is a second flagpole available, UK government departments are encouraged to fly the Commonwealth Flag, if they have one. Many councils and other local organisations will have their own policy on the flying of flags, and they might choose to adopt similar practices. If you plan to fly the Commonwealth Day flag on 11 March, feel free to share a photo on your social media platforms and tag @UKinCW on X/Twitter. For more information, check out the government’s Union Flag flying guidance for UK government buildings.
Welsh National Training Advisory Group meeting
Last week, NALC’s member services manager, Anders Hanson, attended the latest meeting of the Welsh National Training Advisory Group which comprises One Voice Wales, Welsh Government, Welsh Local Government Association, SLCC and NALC. The meeting considered the retention and recruitment of clerks, training reports from the organisations in attendance, and a discussion on new environmental and digital training courses being provided in Wales.
And finally…
I’m proud to announce the successful renewal of our Cyber Essentials certification for the second consecutive year. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding members’ data and business operations against evolving cyber threats. You can read more in our news story.
NALC EVENTS
If any Councillors or Staff wish to attend any of these events, please do go through Kirstie to book so that the clerk can check on training budgets. Thank you.
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.
Speakers: Will Austin (Bridport Town Council), Cllr Hugh King (Dereham Town Council), Caroline Pearce (Bridport Town Council) and Caroline Whitney (Community Transport Association)
Unleashing the power of local councils to tackle the climate emergency
26 June 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
Empower your local council to force change in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. Despite their potential, many smaller councils feel shackled by a lack of funding and disempowered in making a tangible impact. It’s time to change that narrative.
Take advantage of this dynamic event that goes beyond rhetoric. Witness first-hand examples of impactful initiatives from around the country through the eyes of a national stakeholder championing climate action, a representative from a government department steering this crucial agenda, and a case study featuring a council that has successfully risen to the challenge.
This is not just another event – it’s a call to action! Walk away with practical, actionable insights your council can implement to make a real change. The fight against climate change starts at the grassroots level, and your council can be a driving force. Seize this opportunity to transform your council into a catalyst for positive environmental change. Together, let’s make a lasting impact on our planet’s future.
Decoding the future of artificial intelligence in local governance
24 July 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
Dive into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore the realm of predictive analytics in local council settings. While our initial thoughts about AI might drift towards Hal from 2001: A Space Odyssey, the current focus is on predictive analytics and harnessing historical data to forecast new instances or cases.
In the realm of local government, predictive analytics is emerging as a game-changer, although its widespread adoption is still in its infancy. This session will take you beyond the surface, examining sophisticated examples of predictive analytics in various local public services. While some organisations have embraced this cutting-edge technology, most of the sector is just beginning to explore the opportunities and risks it presents.
Hear directly from experts who have conducted a groundbreaking report for the Local Government Association on AI in local government, a principal authority utilising assistive technology, and a communications stakeholder in the sector. Gain valuable insights into how predictive analytics could shape the future of local councils and grapple with the broader moral dilemma presented by AI.
The future of neighbourhood plans
25 September 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15
Despite the government dragging its feet on supporting funding for neighbourhood planning, the confirmation eventually came through, solidifying its commitment to neighbourhood planning. In this area, local (parish and town) councils shine.
This event aims to re-evaluate the continued significance of neighbourhood planning and make a case for its sustenance in the upcoming parliament, regardless of the government’s composition. The focus is bridging the interest gap between developers, local councils, and local planning authorities.
Rediscover the passion for launching and shaping a neighbourhood plan in your area and access indispensable tips, guidance, and advice necessary to embark on this pivotal undertaking.
We are in the final week of hearing from local people about their confidence and satisfaction in the NHS and where we can improve. As well as going out to local communities, we have designed a survey to ensure that you can have your say.
The survey will take 20-25 minutes to complete, and the closing date will be Sunday 10th March. You can also find out more about how previous feedback has led to change.
We want you to feel confident sharing honest and authentic feedback so our survey will be completely anonymous. It is available in easy read and alternative languages by contacting sxicb.involvement@nhs.net
Thank you in advance for your time in supporting your local NHS.
West Sussex County Council seeks help from local residents to combat flooding
West Sussex County Council is encouraging all householders and landowners, particularly those in more rural areas, to check if they have a responsibility to keep local watercourses free flowing and to help prevent vulnerable areas of the county from flooding.
If a watercourse, ditch, stream, river or culvert runs adjacent to, through or under your land or property (even if it does not fall within your property boundary as set out by your Title Deeds) then you are likely to be what is known as a “riparian owner”. In short, you are responsible for the maintenance of the watercourse to ensure that water is able to flow freely into and along it, so that it doesn’t pose a flood risk.
The legal responsibilities of a riparian owner are to:
ensure the flow of water is not obstructed or polluted
maintain the bottom and sides of the watercourse (including managing any trees and vegetation growing on the banks)
remove any obstructions, such as rubbish, fallen branches or garden waste
maintain any structures (such as rubbish screens, culverts, weirs and mill gates).
You are more likely to have a responsibility if you live in a rural area due to there not being as widespread a drainage system as in urban areas, particularly alongside roads. Rural roads are especially affected when groundwater levels are high and surface water runs off neighbouring land and property onto them. It is essential that roadside ditches in these areas are kept clear for the water to flow into before it reaches the road and causes surface flooding or even damages the road surface.
Cllr Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council, said: “Over the last five months we have seen a year’s worth of rainfall. You will have noticed that this has resulted in sustained high levels of groundwater, increased debris in the drainage systems causing blockages, and large amounts of surface water runoff, causing flooding across the county.
“Our Highways team has been busy responding to numerous incidents of flooding. We continue to manage over 140,000 gullies and routinely clear other drainage assets, including our ditches. However, whilst we are working as hard as we can to keep the water network free flowing to reduce flooding, we do not have responsibility for all of the drains and watercourses within West Sussex. For example, we’re only responsible for around 10% of the county’s ditches.
“Residents can play such an important role in combatting flooding by maintaining the drainage assets they’re responsible for, but we’re not expecting them to spend a lot of time or money; simply spending half an hour each month clearing debris and removing any blockages to allow water to flow freely is usually more than sufficient and will really make a difference.
“Well maintained watercourses can significantly benefit our communities by not only reducing flood risk but by also creating great habitats for our wildlife.”
To further help reduce flooding incidents across the network, we plan to deliver £1.9m of drainage works this year. We have also doubled our number of jetting vehicles in response to extreme weather and have four vehicles available to attend affected sites to clear flooding or investigate issues.
Our drainage gangs continue to work proactively to clear gullies and a ditch clearance programme is operating at sites identified as having an impact on the highway.
We also have approximately £500,000 of small-scale drainage schemes on schedule to be delivered by the end of this month.
Road Closure- Carriageway Patching – A264 Holtye Road, East Grinstead – 21 March 2024
Please be advised that A264 Holtye Road, East Grinstead is due to be closed for Carriageway patching works from 21/03/2024 to 23/03/2024 between 20:00 – 06:00.
Please note that these works are weather dependant and may be cancelled at short notice, but we will endeavour to inform you should there be significant changes to the programme. This road closure is covered by the 14.1 order made on 11th January 2022.
Road Name
Location
Date (from and to)
Time of works
A264 Holtye Road
East Grinstead
21/03/2024 – 23/03/2024
20:00 – 06:00
Further information can also be found via one.network
