Chief Executive Bulletin

10 August 2023

A new webpage dedicated to planning 

This week, we created a dedicated webpage on planning to help local (parish and town) councils in their local engagement with the planning system. We have continuously highlighted the crucial work councils do on planning and continue to push the government for increased powers and control over planning matters. The planning webpage has information on local councils’ planning powers, case studies highlighting examples of how local councils have best used the planning system to help their communities, and valuable resources. Please take some time to look at it and share it with your colleagues.

New and updated housing and planning guides 

As part of our drive to support you on housing and planning matters, I’m excited that NALC is currently working with the Campaign to Protect Rural England and English Rural to update existing guides on planning and developing a new guide on housing design. In 2011, NALC worked with CPRE to publish Planning Explained, How to Respond to Planning Applications, and How to Shape Where You Live: A Guide to Neighbourhood Planning. These guides provide easy-to-use planning advice to our members, networks and the general public. All three are well-used and are consistently the most downloaded publications on our websites, with over a quarter of a million downloads! However, since their publication, national policy and legislation have shifted considerably, and we recognise that areas within each document need to be updated and refreshed. We are in the early stages of preparing to update all three guides to better reflect the current legislative and cultural climate. To help us, we’d welcome your feedback on the existing guides, so please complete the short survey. If you have any queries or additional comments, please contact the CPRE planning team at planning@cpre.org.uk or NALC at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk. I’m also pleased NALC has been invited to join the advisory panel for a new good design guide on affordable rural homes, developed by the housing association English Rural and is due to be published in early Spring 2024. One of the principal challenges facing rural housing delivery is local opposition, often rooted in stigma about what homes will look like and their impact on the heritage of the existing settlements. Poor design of some rural developments has mainstreamed this view and can lead to delay or even completely derail proposals for new affordable homes. This project will bring together an advisory panel and utilise the valuable input of artist and architectural expert Matthew Rice to explore, illustrate and showcase good design, how this can be achieved and provide a resource that local communities can hold up as something to be welcomed as an enhancement of their existing built and natural environment. I’ll keep you informed on both projects as they develop.

Committee elections 

NALC is led by councillors appointed by county associations to its National Assembly. The National Assembly elects its committee members, the NALC chair and vice-chairs. The elections are held every two years, with the next round to start on 23 August 2023. There are also opportunities for councillors not on the National Assembly and clerks to stand for the direct elections to the Larger Councils Committee and Smaller Councils Committee. All these elections are managed online by UK Engage, and for the first time, they will be conducted based on the single transferable vote process.

The positions available for elections are:

• NALC chair — one seat for a member of the National Assembly.
• NALC vice-chairs (finance and member services) — two seats for members of the National Assembly.
• Management Board — Six seats for members of the National Assembly.
• Finance and Scrutiny Committee — Five seats for members of the National Assembly.
• Policy Committee — Seven seats for members of the National Assembly.
• Larger Councils Committee — Four seats for members of the National Assembly. Eight directly elected councillors from larger councils, four directly elected non-voting clerks from larger councils and two seats from super councils.
• Smaller Councils Committee — Five seats for members of the National Assembly. Three directly elected clerks and councillors from smaller councils.

Prospective candidates can refer to the NALC member role profiles. More information will be available over the coming weeks to help interested candidates learn about the election process and how to participate effectively. For those not eligible to stand for these elections, please consider getting involved in the work of your county association.

On the blog: LGA Conservative Group 

This week’s blog is written by the former leader of the Local Government Association (LGA) Conservative Group, Cllr Izzi Seccombe OBE. The essay explores what she spoke about during our fringe event at the LGA Annual Conference on 5 July 2023. The essay asks why parish councils matter, and she stresses the critical role that local councils play in delivering services, supporting communities and ensuring that residents’ views are heard. Read the blog to find out more!

Updates to Legal Topic Note 78 on The Equality Act 2010

This week we reissued Legal Topic Note 78 on The Equality Act 2010 to make the note’s content more practical, including links to helpful guidance. The Equality Act 2010 provides legal protection from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. Local councils with specific equality issues can request legal advice under the NALC legal scheme.

Fortnightly county officers call 

In this week’s meeting on 9 August 2023 between NALC and county officers, we were joined by the Royal British Legion. They ran through some of their work, such as their support services for members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and key events such as Remembrance Sunday, next year’s 80th anniversary of D-Day and Armed Forces Day. There was also a discussion on how branches liaise with local councils and the logistics of local events. They also introduced their new Councillor Network. The meeting also reviewed a recent NALC activity update and information on committee elections.

Community Engagement Fund

The Home Office, on 2 August 2023, launched the Community Engagement Fund (CEF), a £150,000 fund to support grassroots and community groups. The purpose of the fund is to raise awareness of and address any misinformation about the Windrush Compensation Scheme and Windrush Scheme, build on the insights and learning taken from the existing work on Windrush to understand why individuals are not applying for the Windrush Compensation Scheme and the Windrush Scheme, and how to encourage eligible individuals to apply to the schemes mentioned above. Councils are encouraged to share this information with relevant organisations in their local area. To apply, organisations will need to register an interest in the fund using the find a grant portal or by email to CommunityEngagementFundCompetition@homeoffice.gov.uk.

The closing date to submit an application is 30 August 2023 (4 pm). Information sessions will be held for community and grassroots organisations interested in learning more about the fund and how to submit an application. The sessions will be held on 8 August 2023 (2 pm – 3.30 pm) and 10 August 2023 (11 am – 12.30 pm). If your organisation is interested in joining a session, please email the address above.

And finally… 

The Royal British Legion has launched a new network for councillors. Any councillor can sign up and receive regular communication about how councils (both local councils and principal authorities) can support the Armed Forces community and the broader work of the Royal British Legion, ranging from Remembrance to fundraising and membership. You can find out more and join on the Royal British Legion website.

 

More retailers reporting crime in Sussex

by Katy Bourne OBE

This week I spoke with the BBC about the rise in shoplifting offences recorded in the south east. Data released by the Office for National Statistics showed that there has been a rise of up to 42% of shoplifting cases in Sussex.

Whilst a higher number of cases may seem as if more crimes are being committed, the figures will also reflect increased confidence in reporting of crimes by retailers in Sussex.

We know retailers work in extremely fast-paced environments and we know many of them don’t always have the time to report, or access to equipment allowing them to gather information or intelligence needed by police to further pursue offenders.

Understanding these frustrations, we have worked closely with the Co-op, piloting our ‘One Touch Reporting’ tool in 24 of their stores in Sussex. This gives staff the ability to reduce their crime reporting time from over 30 minutes per offence, to just two minutes – and do so with a click of a button.

This intuitive system is helping the Co-op to transform the way they report crime, making it quicker and easier for staff and providing Sussex Police with additional information about criminals. We have also introduced DISC – an information and intelligence sharing app which is now being used by many retailers across Sussex.

Sussex Police can attribute many arrests to the use of One Touch Reporting and the rise in numbers is evidence that some retailers are able to report crimes more easily.

Last week I joined Sussex’s Tactical Firearms Unit (TFU) on one of their training days to see the skills and expertise needed in the challenging role.

Firearms officers often respond to high-risk incidents where intelligence has suggested firearms support may be required. They also provide public reassurance at events and airports and have specialist paramedic training that can save lives.

Sussex has over 150 authorised firearms officers who complete a minimum of 118 hours refresher training each year.

It was a fascinating day to learn even more about the TFU and visit the training facilities we have in Sussex, which are regarded as some of the best in the country.

British police firearms officers are admired the world over for their levels of training and tactical knowledge. Although there are many thousands of police firearms operations every year officers very rarely discharge their weapons. Figures for forces across England and Wales for the past year show that there were over 18,000 firearms operations and only 10 incidents where shots were fired.

Cheap and free bus travel across West Sussex – Bus it! Special Edition

Welcome to our special edition eNewsletter, with all you need to know about travelling by bus in West Sussex.

So if you want to

• give buses a try
• discover new routes
• reduce travel costs
• enjoy the park without the parking
• catch up with friends for coffee in town
• visit the West Sussex coast or countryside

– then Bus it! and hop aboard for cheap or free travel!

Introducing “Book-a-Bus” – your new flexible friend

Getting around parts of the county has become even easier with the introduction of “Book-a-Bus”, a new flexible, on-demand bus service that has launched in the Chichester and Petworth areas.

Our first on-demand services are available on the “99” and “99 Flex” (Petworth – Chichester) operated by Compass Travel, and the “98 Flex” (north of Petworth zone), operated by CT Sussex. They serve the more rural areas of the county that currently have limited or no traditional bus services.

Funded by central government, as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan, the new services operate within set zones and offer passenger pick-up in a location closer to them – all for the same price as a standard bus fare, currently capped at £2 per trip until 31 October 2023.

What are the latest offers and discounts?

• The government has extended the bus cap fare of £2 until 31 October 2023. After this, the bus fare cap will change to £2.50 for single tickets until 30 November 2024.
• If you are a permanent West Sussex resident who has reached state pension age, you can get a free five-year bus pass for travelling off-peak all over England. This means you can catch a bus to anywhere in the county – and beyond, weekdays between 9.30am and 11pm and all day on weekends and bank holidays, free of charge!
• The county council provides a free bus pass to people who are disabled, incapacitated, or medically unfit to drive.
• Discover other discounts and offers from local bus companies on the link below.

Mid Sussex District Council Summer of fun

This summer Mid Sussex District Council has been hosting several free events aimed at children and young people.

The popular Play Day events kicked off on July 25 and there are still four events to get involved with. Aimed at children under 10, the Play Days offer activities such as puppet shows, rugby sessions, circus skills, henna tattoos, DJ workshops and much more.

The Skate Fest events are aimed at young people aged 10+ offering a chance to learn new skateboard skills, get their wheels checked, and get involved with DJ workshops.

Councillors from Mid Sussex District Council have been visiting the events that are running across the district. Councillor Alison Bennett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Communications, said: “The events really are fantastic. Our local providers are doing a brilliant job offering engaging, fun activities for children and their families, and there is a great atmosphere. There are still five events left in our summer of fun, so don’t miss out!”

The upcoming events are taking place on:

• 15 August – Haven Rec, Crawley Down – 1pm to 3pm (Play Day)
• 17 August – Mount Noddy, East Grinstead – 1pm to 3pm (Play Day)
• 22 August – Humphreys Field, Copthorne – 1pm to 3pm (Play Day)
• 24 August – John Pears Field, Ashurst Wood – 1pm to 3pm (Play Day)
• 25 August – King George’s Field, East Grinstead – 2pm to 4.30pm (Skate Fest)

Local organisations are providing many of the workshops and the events are supported by Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, and East Grinstead Town Councils, as well as the six local Parish Councils.

Mid Sussex District Council is asking people to walk, cycle to or use public transport where possible as some venues have limited parking available.

For further information about what’s on offer at each event, please visit the Mid Sussex District Council website: www.midsussex.gov.uk/playdays.

Planning applications and decisions

 

Sussex music festival director says no to spiking – From Katy Bourne OBE

This week a national partnership agreement was signed which will see all police forces across England and Wales take a new approach to dealing with mental health incidents. The new proposal will ensure that the appropriate partner agencies, not the police, are the first point of call to any health-related situations that involve no safety risk or crime.

The ‘Right Care Right Person’ approach was first initiated by Humberside Police and a toolkit for all police forces has now been developed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing, who have worked closely with partners in health & social care on the national partnership agreement.

It means that people in need of help will receive specialist and specific support and it could also save up to one million police officer hours nationally each year.

When it comes to mental health and wellbeing, it is important that, particularly in a time of crisis, people have access to the right care from the right person and, whilst police officers will always assiduously uphold their duties to serve and protect the public, we know they are not always the best placed in many health-related situations.

I look forward to discussing what the approach will look like for Sussex in one of my upcoming Performance & Accountability Meetings with Chief Constable Shiner.

This weekend, Sussex’s leading rock and metal festival, Hammerdown, will be taking place in Worthing. Earlier in the week, the festival’s director Harry White told my team about his experience of being spiked when he was just 17, describing it as “extremely disorientating”.

In a bid to prevent this happening at his own events, Harry will be offering the anti-spiking drink covers, known as StopTopps, to any guests who may want to use them. As part of my work tackling violence against women and girls and improving safety within the night-time economy, I have been able to fund thousands of StopTopps which have been provided, free of charge, to promoters, venues, bars, clubs and events across our county.

Spiking is no joke, it’s an offence and it can be very dangerous – you can read more about Harry’s experience and the festival on my website.

On Monday, I visited Crawley’s Manor Royal Business District. Manor Royal is home to over 600 businesses, has generated 30,000 jobs and also has the UK’s largest Business Improve District (BID).

On behalf of the Manor Royal BID, I was successful in securing monies from the Government’s Safer Streets 4 funding round. The BID has worked hard to put in multiple safety and prevention tools such as free security radios for retailers and a dedicated Business Ranger Security team – however, the funding they requested from me was specifically for an upgrade to their CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.

I’m delighted to have been able to award funding for improvements to their technology systems, which includes a re-deployable camera that can be moved around the business district to tackle certain issues such as fly-tipping and anti-social driving. The advances and improvements to the cameras will help the BID to work even more closely with Sussex Police, allowing them to share information, deter criminals and further protect businesses.

We know retail crime can have long-term consequences on business owners, employees and surrounding communities. Whether it’s retail stores on our high streets or industrial zones in our town centres, it’s vital we protect our county’s businesses and ensure the residents of Sussex feel safe when they’re at work.

Chief Executive’s Bulletin

Demystifying the role of local councillors online event 

The latest online event on demystifying the role of local councillors took place on 26 July 2023. It was great to see so many attendees at the event, which explored more on a local councillor’s role and the crucial skillset they require. The panel featured Cllr Michaella Biscomb, vice chair of Kippax Parish Council, the former Local Government Association chair Cllr James Jamieson, and Cllr Jeremy Richardson, from Cold Norton Parish Council, who all spoke about their experiences as a councillor while highlighting that councillors should have a passion for making their town and community better and how key characteristics, such as confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, will enable individuals to do this role successfully. We also have plenty of other events throughout the year, so please check out our website to learn more about them.

Climate emergency network 

NALC’s national network on climate emergency met on 27 July 2023, which has now over 300 members! Congratulations to Cllr Tony Aslam of Wellingborough Town Council and Cllr Sarah Barker of Kingshill Parish Council who were appointed as the two new co-chairs. The network was also joined by Dr Daphne Du Cros (Shropshire Good Food Partnership), who spoke about the Right to Grow initiative she has been involved in with Bishop’s Castle Town Council, Andrew Maliphant (The Community Works) talked about the draft planning application and climate action guidance for smaller councils, and Cllr Katharine Keats-Rohan spoke about Heritage Declares, a group of heritage practitioners who have come together to urge the sector to react more quickly and effectively to the climate and ecological emergency. You can learn more about this and our other networks and how to get involved on our website.

Star Council Awards 2023 

Last week the nomination period for our Star Council Awards 2023 ended! The awards help recognise the achievements of the local (parish and town) council sector and showcase the hidden heroes of our communities. It was another successful year for nominations, with the quality extremely high and varied. We received 158 across the five categories, beating last year’s 145. The nominations will be taken to our judging panels in the coming months for further scrutiny. After that, we’ll reveal the finalists, with the winners being announced at a ceremony in the House of Lords on 29 November 2023.

Local Council Award Scheme member briefing 

This week on 1 August 2023, we held a briefing on the Local Council Awards Scheme hosted by our member services team. It was part of the current recruitment process for new panel members who are essential in assessing the scheme’s applications. The role is voluntary, and attendance at the briefing was good, with a mixture of councillors and clerks from around the country. The team were also joined by current panel member and last year’s Star Council Awards Clerk of the Year winner, Terry Philpott, town clerk for Ware Town Council, who gave some valuable tips and insights from his own experiences as an assessor.

Welsh National Training Advisory Group 

NALC’s member service manager Anders Hanson attended a quarterly meeting of the Welsh National Training Advisory Group (NTAG). The group is convened by One Voice Wales. It brings together the Society of Local Council Clerks, the Welsh Local Government Association and the Welsh Government to discuss the development of training for community councils in Wales. NALC has a role in providing legal support and guidance for One Voice Wales. The discussion included the recruitment and retention of clerks, a training needs survey, and the development of webinars on finance and governance and cyber training.

On the blog: Hope for the Future 

This week’s blog by Hope for the Future discusses the importance of young people taking action on climate change for International Youth Day. The United Nations theme for International Youth Day 2023 is Green Skills for Youth: Towards A Sustainable World, highlighting the need for technical skills and knowledge to support a transition to a greener world. Local government is crucial in providing education and training for green skills, like retrofitting, to achieve a sustainable future. You can find more information on climate change and young people on our website.

Fortnightly county officers call 

At last week’s meeting on 26 July 2023 between NALC and county officers, the Civility and Respect Project manager, Hazel Broatch, spoke about the ideas that emerged from the intervention workshop. County officers gave feedback on the ideas split into quick wins, longer-term and blue skies ideas. There was also a discussion on a draft briefing on email addresses and domain names and an update on recent committee meetings.

Neighbourhood Planning Support Programme

Last week, on 25 July 2023, some great news was that the government committed an additional £7.1 million to the Neighbourhood Planning Support Programme. The programme, run by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLHUC), aims to support groups developing neighbourhood plans and neighbourhood development orders. The further funding brings the total funding to the programme to over £47 million since 2018, allowing the scheme to continue for a sixth year. Applications for support are now open for this financial year (2023/24).

Community Ownership Fund  

As previously reported, the government opened its £150m Community Ownership Fund to applications from local councils. This week on 31 July 2023, DLUHC updated the Community Ownership Fund prospectus to reflect the extension of the maximum capital funding available to new applicants from round three, window two onwards. Applicants are now able to apply for up to £2 million in capital funding. I’d encourage councils to consider whether applying to this fund may suit you.

80th anniversary of D-Day 

We’re honoured to support the 80th anniversary to commemorate D-Day on 6 June 2024. It marks when Allied forces mounted the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever witnessed that would bring about the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi occupation. Local councils have always performed a lead role in commemorative and celebration events, such as the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons, which is why we support this initiative. I urge all councils to support this event. We are working with Pageantmaster Bruno Peek, who leads these historical celebrations and will provide more information in the coming months.

And finally… 

Another landmark for the Civility and Respect Pledge, with over 1,300 local councils taking the pledge to demonstrate that they are committed to standing up to bullying, harassment and intimidation. If you still need to sign the pledge, consider it today! More information is available on our website on the pledge but also on the entire Civility and Respect Project.

NALC submits written evidence on Martyn’s Law

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has submitted written evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, which is undertaking pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Terrorism (Prevention of Premises) Bill.

In the evidence, NALC has supported the government’s aim of making the public safer at publicly accessible locations and security measures but stressed that interventions should be reasonable, affordable, and proportionate. While NALC is keen to work with the government on the Bill, it is concerned about the lack of engagement with the local council sector. NALC also highlighted the impact the legislation would have on councils as organisers of events covered by the duty, the lack of an impact assessment including costs, concerns about the capacity thresholds being used and the need for proportionality, especially of risk, lack of clarity on the regulator and enforcement, the need for a communications campaign and dedicated programme of support and guidance, and an extensive lead in time to allow councils to prepare.

NALC concerns are included in the Home Affairs Committee’s response published on 27 July 2023. The committee has warned the draft bill fails to address the real risk of terror attacks and that small venues face implementing costly measures while larger venues fall out of scope. It calls for the legislation to be introduced in stages (with larger venues first), further research to assess the threat to small organisations and venues, adequate funding to be in place, a communications campaign and comprehensive proposals for the regulator.

The Bill sets out requirements that venues and organisations must meet to ensure public safety. The proposed legislation is known as Martyn’s Law in tribute to Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017 and whose mother, Figen Murray, has since campaigned for greater security at venues.

Demystify the role of local councillors

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) held an online event about demystifying the role of local councillors on 26 July 2023, which looked at a local councillor’s role and the crucial skillset they require.

The expert panel featured Cllr Michaella Biscomb, vice chair of Kippax Parish Council, the former Local Government Association chair Cllr James Jamieson, and Cllr Jeremy Richardson, from Cold Norton Parish Council, who all spoke about their experiences as a councillor while highlighting that councillors should have a passion for making their town and community better and how key characteristics, such as confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, will enable individuals to do this role successfully.

Cllr Michaella emphasised that councillors need four skills: confidence and curiosity, willingness to learn, energy and enthusiasm to get involved, and knowing when to bite your tongue. She stated, “As a councillor, it is essential to have the skill of confidence and curiosity to not always rely on people who have been councillors for a long time telling you this is how procedures and process have always been done”.

Cllr Richardson stressed the importance of building a team with fellow councillors and the local community. He said, “At the village level, the most important team you can build is with the residents”.

Cllr Jamieson spoke about returning to basics, stating, “No matter what type of councillor you are, the job’s core is the same. It is about improving your place. It is about working with people to improve your town and community”.

Find out more about NALC online events

White ribbon accreditation

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has moved closer to becoming White Ribbon accredited after its steering group met on 25 July 2023.

The group approved the three-year action to implement between 2023 and 2026. The action plan includes various activities, timescales, target dates and how it will be evidenced. NALC will now submit its application and work towards completing the action plan.

At the meeting, Cllr Kay Wesley, White Ribbon Champion and deputy town mayor of Congleton Town Council shared what her council is doing to encourage people to take the White Ribbon promise with the success of a White Ribbon stall at Congleton Pride on 22 July 2023.

With rapid progress over the last few months, the group agreed to move meetings bi-monthly. NALC will continue to provide regular updates when they become available.

Find out more about White Ribbon UK

Climate Emergency Network

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) national network on climate emergency appointed new co-chairs at its meeting on 27 July 2023.

Cllr Tony Aslam of Wellingborough Town Council (Northamptonshire) and Cllr Sarah Barker of Kingshill Parish Council (Kent) were appointed as network co-chairs from January 2024. While Cllr Chris Church of Botley & North Hinksey Parish Council (Oxford), Cllr Katharine Keats-Rohan of Wallingford Town Council (Oxford) and Charmaine Keatley, chief executive officer of the Kent Association of Local Councils also agreed to monitor communications between network members.

The network was joined by Dr Daphne Du Cros, director and coordinator for the Shropshire Good Food Partnership, to discuss the Right to Grow initiative she has been involved in with Bishop’s Castle Town Council. Andrew Maliphant, project manager for The Community Works, addressed the draft planning application and climate action guidance for smaller councils, where members commented it could do with a section on retrofitting heritage buildings. Cllr Keats-Rohan spoke about Heritage Declares, a group of heritage practitioners who have come together to urge the sector to react more quickly and effectively to the climate and ecological emergency.

Find out more about the climate emergency network and how to get involved

Planning applications and decisions

Goodbye from me!

 

(Circa 2018)

 

Dear East Grinstead Town Council,

 

As I sit down to write this farewell message, my heart is filled with a mix of emotions. It is with a heavy heart that I bid adieu to this incredible community and my cherished role. Serving as a part of East Grinstead Town Council has been an unforgettable journey.

My journey with the council began at the tender age of 17, when I joined as an apprentice. Little did I know that this initial step would lead to such a fulfilling and rewarding career. Through dedication and hard work, I pursued my studies in AAT and proudly qualified within my first three years. The trust and support you placed in me allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

Being Dan’s assistant was an experience, though it was short-lived it provided me with essential knowledge of the sector. Nonetheless, it opened doors to new opportunities, and when I approached Julie seeking another challenge, she suggested pursuing CILCA. The pandemic provided an unexpected window of time, and with determination, I completed a two-year qualification in less than five months. This accomplishment solidified my passion for the role, and since then, I have relished every moment of it.

For some time, I also had the privilege of serving as the Clerk and RFO for Apuldram Parish Meeting, extending my horizons and honing my skills even further. It has been an honor to assist their Council and contribute to their endeavors.

As I move forward to embrace new possibilities, I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining Pulborough Parish Council as their Clerk & RFO. I am eagerly anticipating this fresh chapter in my career and the opportunities it holds.

To the members of East Grinstead Town Council, please know that the memories we created together will forever hold a special place in my heart. I will deeply miss each and every one of you, as well as the enjoyable responsibilities that came with being part of this remarkable team. Thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement and friendship throughout the years. I have also really enjoyed the banter, fun and atmosphere of this enjoyable role.

As I embark on this new journey, I wish you all the success and prosperity in managing this beautiful place.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of East Grinstead Town Council. Farewell, and until we meet again.

(Circa 2023)

 

Harry

 

(Circa 2016)

 

Breast Screening Survey

 

 

 

 

 

WSCC Salt Audit

 

 

The WSCC Salt Audit is being undertaken, there are potentially two salt bins that can be relocated if there are areas of greater need.  If you have anywhere that has enquires outstanding please make Alison (communityservices@eastgrinstead.gov.uk) aware by the end of next week.

NALC Events

 

Engaging with local communities through digital engagement 27 September 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 In today’s rapidly changing world, digital engagement with local communities has become more crucial, especially when delivering community regeneration and neighbourhood development plans. Local (parish and town) councils must make it as easy as possible for people to engage with them and be flexible enough to meet the needs of communities. Join us at this informative event to learn about effective digital engagement strategies that can broaden community participation beyond the usual suspects. You will discover how digital tools and platforms can enable local councils to connect with residents more efficiently and effectively and make it easier for people to engage with the decision-making processes that affect their lives. Our expert speakers will share their experiences on how digital engagement can help local councils access funding, develop partnerships, and deliver successful regeneration and neighbourhood development projects. You will also learn about the challenges and opportunities in implementing strategies and the skills and resources needed to make them work. Whether you are a local councillor, community leader, or resident interested in participating in your community’s development, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain insights and strategies for effective digital engagement. Join us and learn how to harness the power of digital to empower local communities and deliver successful regeneration projects.     Buy tickets     Empowering young voices in your community 25 October 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 Local (parish and town) councils have a long history of working with young people in their communities. However, engaging with today’s youth can be challenging, especially with the rapid changes in technology and communication. This event aims to provide practical tips and guidance on new ways to engage with young people in your community, understand their needs, and gather their views on crucial local topics. By listening to young people’s voices, local councils can empower them to become leaders and spokespeople for change in their communities. Join us to learn about strategies for engaging with young people that go beyond traditional methods and find out how to get the most out of the local leaders of tomorrow in your area. Our expert speakers will share their experiences creating effective youth engagement programs, using digital tools, and building strong partnerships with schools, youth organisations, and other community stakeholders. Whether you are a local councillor, community leader, or youth worker, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable wisdom and helpful tips on engaging with young people and empowering them to impact your community positively. Join us and discover how to harness the power of youth voices to create a better future for all.     Buy tickets     Democracy in Action 14 November 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 A FREE joint event with the Local Government Association aimed at the general public to get involved with local (parish and town) councils. Hear about how you can be the voice of your community by standing for election as a local councillor at the May 2024 elections and beyond. This event will provide a valuable opportunity to learn about the work and role of councillors and the huge difference you could make as a local leader in your area. A panel of experts, including those who have become councillors at various local government levels, will share their insights, experience, and advice. You will also be able to ask questions, engage in discussions and access the wide range of support available to take action for your community. Speakers: Jane Biscombe (Weymouth Town Council), Cllr Katharine Keats Rohan (Wallingford Town Council and South Oxfordshire District Council), Cllr Chidi Nweke (Epping Forest District Council) and Virginia Ponton (Local Government Association)     Claim your free ticket     Making the planning system work for local councils 22 November 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 Planning is undoubtedly the most significant issue affecting most parished communities in England. While the government has retreated from some of its controversial policy commitments from the 2020 white paper, it is time to re-examine the sector’s current concerns about planning in local council areas. Join us at this exciting event to hear from a national policy stakeholder and relevant planning case studies from the local council sector on improving the planning system to meet local (parish and town) council needs. Our expert speakers will share their knowledge on the challenges and opportunities of planning in local councils and discuss approaches for improving community engagement, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring a fair and transparent planning process. You will have the opportunity to engage in lively discussions with fellow attendees and learn from the experiences of other local councils facing similar planning challenges. Whether you are a local councillor, community leader, planner, or resident interested in planning issues, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain wisdom on revitalising your community’s planning. Join us and discover how to work towards a planning system that meets the needs of local councils and empowers communities to shape their future.     Buy tickets     Winning strategies for the funding game 15 December 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 Local (parish and town) councils play a vital role in their communities, providing essential services and facilities and promoting economic and social development. However, unlike other local authorities, local councils generally cannot directly apply to central government funding. This event aims to showcase these exceptions and provide information on why it makes sense from a funder’s perspective for local councils to be able to apply for such funds. You will hear from experts and local councils that have successfully secured grant funding. They will share their experiences and tips on navigating the current funding environment and increasing your chances of success. Join us at this event to discover strategies for winning the funding game. You will learn about the types of funding available to local councils, the eligibility criteria, and the application process. You will also hear about successful case studies that have secured financing and how they have used the funds to benefit their communities. Whether you are a local councillor, clerk, or community leader, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights on accessing funding sources and making the most of funding opportunities for your community. Join us and learn how to play the funding game and win!     Buy tickets     How local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda 31 January 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15 The levelling up agenda has been a hot topic recently, with many questions about what it means, which areas it applies to, and which sectors will benefit. Local (parish and town) councils are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the levelling up agenda, but they need to be prepared for the challenges that come with devolution. This event will explain how local councils can survive and thrive in a devolved environment by taking on assets, liabilities, and services from their principal authority. You will learn about the benefits and challenges of devolution and hear from experts on how to make the most of the opportunities presented by the levelling up agenda. Join us to understand better how local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda and what steps they need to take to prepare for devolution. You will hear from speakers with experience in local government and councils successfully navigating the devolution process. They will share their understandings, best practices, and lessons learned, giving you a helpful perspective on succeeding in a devolved environment. This event suits local councillors, clerks, and community leaders who want to understand the opportunities and challenges of the levelling up agenda and how to prepare for devolution. Join us to learn how to survive and thrive in a devolved environment and make the most of the opportunities presented by the levelling up agenda.     Buy tickets     The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of social media in the local council sector 28 February 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15 Social media can be a powerful tool for local (parish and town) councils to engage with their communities, but it can also be a source of conflict and negativity. This event will explore the benefits and drawbacks of social media use in the sector and provide guidance on how to use it effectively and responsibly. Join us for a candid discussion on the dos and don’ts of social media in the local council sector. We’ll explore case studies and best practices and provide actionable advice on creating a social media policy that promotes civility and respect. Whether you’re a seasoned social media user or just getting started, this event is a must-attend for anyone who wants to use social media to build stronger communities.     Buy tickets     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.     Buy tickets

 

Public consultation extension to Friday 1 September 2023

 

I am happy to advise that the consultation group for this are : Cllrs Farren, M Belsey, Ody, Whittaker and Mockford. If anyone has any comments  they would like submitted then can they please send them to a member of the consultation group or Clerk no later than 20^th August to allow the pulling together of comments and submission by deadline.

 

 

Public consultation extension to Friday 1 September 2023 Good afternoon, Over the past three weeks, passengers have been invited to send their feedback to transport watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch on proposals to change how tickets are sold and for improvements to customer service. Throughout the consultation so far, we have been keen to ensure that our consultation is as accessible to everyone as possible. We know some customers have asked for more time to understand information and make any submission to Transport Focus or London TravelWatch that they may wish to make. Feedback is important to us, and so for anyone that needs additional time to respond, the local public consultation has now been extended until Friday 1 September 2023. Customers who have already responded do not need to do so again. As a reminder, consultation information is available at: www.greatnorthernrail.com/publicconsultation www.thameslinkrailway.com/publicconsultation www.southernrailway.com/publicconsultation www.gatwickexpress.com/publicconsultation If you are aware of anyone that has not had a chance to respond but would like to, please forward on this email as we want to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to take part. As always, if you have any questions, please let us know. Best wishes, Martin Martin Darby Stakeholder Manager Govia Thameslink Railway Contact the GTR stakeholder team at: GTRPublicAffairs@gtrailway.com

 

 

Welcoming the High Sheriffs of Sussex

(Sent by Katy Bourne OBE to all major stakeholders)

 

 

Hello On Monday, the High Sheriffs of East & West Sussex visited my office in Lewes to learn more about the work of my team. High Sheriffs are appointed yearly to their independent role and their active support for emergency services, crime prevention agencies and the voluntary sector is hugely appreciated. It was helpful for Andy Bliss (High Sheriff of West Sussex) and Richard Bickersteth (High Sheriff of East Sussex) to meet the different teams in my office and for them to hear examples of the varied range of work I undertake as PCC for Sussex. Throughout their shrieval year, our High Sheriffs will be highlighting the diversity of our county and supporting local groups helping children and young people, rural communities and criminal justice agencies in particular. The High Sheriff Association also run National Crimebeat, a charity giving recognition to the most innovative and successful crime prevention projects carried out by young people aged between 5 and 25 years. Submissions for this year open in November and I’ll be encouraging some of the fantastic schemes we have in Sussex to put themselves forward for the awards. You can read more about the ancient role of High Sheriffs and their charity on the High Sheriffs Association website.

Collaboration benefitting local communities

This week I attended the national retail crime steering group, chaired by the Policing Minister, where we discussed the new aggravated offence for assaults against shopworkers. I also updated the group on the progress of Pegasus – a ground-breaking initiative that I am leading with UK retailers in partnership with police to identify and target the most serious and harmful organised crime gangs operating in the UK. Finally, this Saturday some of my team will be supporting West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service at their Open Day in Broadwater, Worthing. We will be talking to the public about anti-social behaviour and feelings of safety in Sussex so, if you’re able to, please pop along to have your say. You can find out more about the event on the Broadwater carnival website. Katy Bourne OBE Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

 

Business Survey 2023

 

 

Please click the following link to access the Business Survey 2023 created by EGBA (East Grinstead Business Association).

Temporary Road Closure Faraday Avenue, East Grinstead Saturday 19th August 2023

 

 

 

GATCOM News Bulletin

 

 

 

NALC Newsletter

 

Joint NALC and LGA event NALC and the Local Government Association have launched a new event on how to be the voice of your community by standing as a local councillor.     Princess Royal opens development Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, opened Kent-based Steeple Parish Council’s rural housing development on 18 July 2023     New members join NALC committee New members joined the NALC’s Smaller Councils Committee at an in-person meeting at NALC’s new London office on 18 July 2023.     Blog: ACRE In this week’s blog, ACRE write about the shift from face-to-face banking to online banking and the issues that can arise among local councils.     Star Council Awards 2023 Nominations are open for the Star Council Awards 2023, which celebrate the achievements of the local council sector — submit a nomination today!

 

 

Chief executive’s bulletin 27 July 2023 NALC and the LGA launch a joint event to empower individuals to become local councillors Last week on 21 July 2023, we launched a FREE joint online event with the Local Government Association (LGA), which will take place on 14 November 2023 on how residents can be the voice of their community by standing for election as a local councillor. The event, part of our Make A Change campaign, will cover the path to becoming a local councillor and councillors’ vital work and role. Our expert panel features councillors that have served at different levels of local government and will share their insights, experiences, and advice about the world of local leadership. We are targeting the general public and those not yet involved in their community, so we need the support of local (parish and town) councils and county associations to share this event as widely as possible to unearth the next crop of community leaders! Learn more about our Make A Change campaign, which encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to get involved with local councils. Martyn’s Law update NALC recently submitted written evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, which is undertaking pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Terrorism (Prevention of Premises) Bill, which sets out requirements that venues and organisations will have to meet to ensure public safety. The proposed legislation is known as Martyn’s Law in tribute to Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017 and whose mother, Figen Murray, has since campaigned for greater security at venues. In our submission, we supported the government’s aim of making the public safer at publicly accessible locations and security measures but stressed that interventions should be reasonable, affordable, and proportionate. While we are keen to work with the government on the bill, we are concerned about the lack of engagement with the sector. We also highlighted the impact the legislation would have on councils as organisers of events covered by the duty, the lack of an impact assessment including costs, concerns about the capacity thresholds being used and the need for proportionality, especially of risk, lack of clarity on the regulator and enforcement, the need for a communications campaign and dedicated programme of support and guidance, and an extensive lead in time to allow councils to prepare. I’m pleased that many of our concerns are included in the committee’s response published today. The committee has warned the draft bill fails to address the real risk of terror attacks and that small venues face implementing costly measures while larger venues fall out of scope. It calls for the legislation to be introduced in stages (with larger venues first), further research to assess the threat to small organisations and venues, adequate funding to be in place, a communications campaign and comprehensive proposals for the regulator. Martyn’s Law is among the priorities that the respective chairs of NALC and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) have agreed to work closely on, and we are in the process of developing and agreeing on a work programme to engage with the government and provide support to the sector. Larger Councils Committee NALC’s Larger Councils Committee held a workshop session on 25 July 2023 at our partner’s CCLA offices. Here are a few highlights: Shar Roselman, the clerk of Newport Pagnell Town Council, provided an update on the recent NALC study visit on 27/28 June 2023, which the town council had hosted. It focussed on devolved leisure services, highlighting the great feedback from attendees. She also shared ways to improve the study tour in the future, which we will be picking up in plans for next year’s visit to Yate Town Council. Cllr Mike Drew, a councillor on the town council and vice-chair of NALC updated the committee on plans for next year, which will focus on youth engagement – so look out for more details in coming months as places are limited! The committee held two breakout sessions in small groups to discuss ways of getting more people involved in NALC’s work for larger councils and on the committee itself and on the government’s commitment to undertake a review of neighbourhood governance where they explored ways of strengthening the powers and funding of local councils and making it easier to set them up. Charlotte Eisenhart, head of member services, gave an update on our expanding range of support and improvement activity covering council membership, audit and finance, the forthcoming new NALC website, new guidance and resources, and the Civility and Respect Project. The committee were pleased to be joined by Helen Ball, the clerk at Shrewsbury Town Council, who, along with Justin Griggs, head of policy and communications, ran a session on Martyn’s Law. Helen gave an informative presentation based on years of experience running events and venues on how the legislation would impact councils, the concerns which need to be addressed to ensure the legislation can be introduced effectively, and local councils can meet new responsibilities and areas where NALC and SLCC can work together to lobby the government and provide support. On the blog: Office for National Statistics This week’s blog is from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on visualising local Census 2021 data. ONS are committed to making all its data as accessible as possible, so they are creating a range of products and tools to help users understand and visualise census data. Their create a custom dataset tool allows users to create and customise their datasets, allowing them to explore the relationships between topics that matter to them fully. Their census maps also let users explore Census 2021 data down to a local neighbourhood level. Read the blog to learn more about how your local council can make the most of Census data! NALC moves closer to White Ribbon accreditation NALC is moving closer to becoming a White Ribbon accredited organisation after our steering group met on 25 July 2023. The group considered and approved a three-year action plan to implement between 2023 and 2026, which we will submit for assessment. The group also shared their thoughts on how NALC and the sector can celebrate White Ribbon Day this year (25 November 2023). I’d urge local councils to explore becoming a White Ribbon accredited or supporter organisation and join the campaign to help end violence against women and girls. You can find out more information on the White Ribbon website! And finally… Harrogate and Scarborough in North Yorkshire are set to get new town councils! Both towns are the only unparished parts of the new unitary council created through the most recent round of local government reorganisation. A public consultation supported plans to introduce town councils in Harrogate and Scarborough as early as 2024. However, with further consultations and considerations on councillor numbers, we’re more likely to see their creation and first elections in 2025. Overall, this is positive news and well done to colleagues at the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations for the important part they’ve played, which moves us closer to our goal of making England fully parished! You can find out more on our website about creating a local council.

Temporary Road Closure East Grinstead Bonfire Procession Saturday 21st October 2023

 

 

 

 

MSVA E-Bulletin, 20 July 2023

 

Please visit this link to access the MSVA E-Bulletin: MSVA E-Bulletin

 

 

 

West Sussex County Council to express concerns to government over proposed infrastructure levy

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE Members and Councillors of West Sussex County Council have passed a motion for the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, to state its concerns over a proposed Infrastructure Levy and the possible impact it could have on funding. In June of this year, the Leader of West Sussex County Council, Cllr Paul Marshall, joined other local government and construction industry leaders in calling on the government to review the introduction of a new infrastructure levy, which has been proposed in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. Fellow WSCC councillors shared the concerns outlined by Cllr Marshall in his original letter and a statement issued since submitting the letter, and have passed a motion at the recent full council for the Leader to contact the Secretary of State on behalf of the whole council to highlight the level of disappointment and apprehension felt within the organisation around the changes the proposed new system would introduce. Since the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) in 2010, which was adopted by all but two of the planning authorities in West Sussex, the county council has seen a significant drop in funding for essential services. In the period of 2021/22, the county council only received 6% of the CIL available in West Sussex. This is due to it only being a consultee in the CIL process and so having no control over setting and collecting the levy, or deciding spending priorities and the allocation of funds. Under the Government’s proposal for the new system, which would replace Section 106 agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy payments, the council would no longer be statutory consultees with regard to future planning developments in the county. It is only described as a ‘third party’, which is dismissive and suggests it is just an interested observer of the developer contributions system, rather than a key provider of infrastructure that is essential to economic health and social wellbeing. The county council’s strategic priorities include developing a sustainable and prosperous economy, delivering safe and effective transport options and providing access to education, employment and other services. However, as we would not be formally involved in the process, planning authorities will be able to ignore our requests for funding contributions for new education facilities, new roads, public transport and active travel schemes – all things our growing communities need. There are also concerns that the levy would result in leaving communities with fewer new social and affordable homes and could impact negatively on housing delivery as a whole, which will affect future generations considerably. Cllr Marshall said: “The potentially negative impact on our communities and the infrastructure that supports them will be compounded by a key proposal of the levy where the amount being paid by developers won’t be calculated until the project is complete. This will delay provision of new and improved infrastructure to support the new developments by months or even years as the county council and other service providers can only plan for delivery once the levy funds have been secured. “We have also seen no guidance on how the transition from the current use of CIL and S106 would be managed. If the Infrastructure Levy was introduced under a phased system, this would result in the county council having to navigate different developer contributions systems in different areas at different times, which is not practical “The county council are keen to support the government in finding a solution that does work for everyone. However, the Infrastructure Levy could result in less infrastructure being delivered and the delivery of that infrastructure being even further out of step with the delivery of new homes. “This is not just a problem for WSCC, our position reflects that of over 30 organisations who wrote to The Secretary of State calling on him to not implement the proposed levy. All agreed that it could result in less infrastructure being delivered, fewer affordable homes being built and a potential adverse impact on housing delivery. “The county council would be very happy to work with the government and others in reforming the current developer contributions system and, if the proposal is retained, the introduction of the Infrastructure Levy so its shortcomings can be addressed.” The motion was passed at a meeting of the Full Council, held on Monday 17th July 2023.

July 2023 edition of our Residents’ eNewsletter. Our West Sussex county councillors have passed a motion for the Leader of the Council Paul Marshall to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities on behalf of the whole authority, to state its concerns over a proposed Infrastructure Levy and the possible impact it could have on funding. The proposed levy would remove the county council as a statutory consultee on planning development applications, which would allow planning authorities to ignore our requests for funding contributions for things like new education facilities, new roads, public transport and active travel schemes – all things our growing communities need.   More information   Brand new fire station and training centre opens Our West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service reached a huge milestone when its new state-of-the-art training centre and fire station in Horsham became operational last week. The multi-million-pound site is the first of its type in the county. Named Platinum House, it replaces the previous fire station in Hurst Road, which was built in 1968. The training centre has been designed to support the county council’s aims to become carbon neutral with features including: a live fire training facility that emits smoke back into the environment as clean air solar panels and electric vehicle charging points air source heat pumps that provide heating. Pictured: West Sussex County Council Leader, Paul Marshall, Chief Fire Officer, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Group Manager, Jim Mackay and Horsham Red Watch.   More information   ‘Think Before You Throw’ to increase recycling in West Sussex We’d like to say a big thank you to the reducers, reusers, recyclers and think before you throw-ers of West Sussex! Last year you helped us reuse or recycle over 200,000 tonnes of waste, helping us reduce the amount of general waste produced in the whole of the county. We’re asking people to continue to ‘Think Before You Throw’, and help us recycle as much as we can, especially materials such as black plastic pots, tubs and trays, empty aerosols, and other items that can go in special collections at home such as small electricals. In a recent survey 48% of respondents admitted to throwing items in the general waste bin because they were unsure if they could be recycled or not. We’re trying to help combat this by sharing a new animation series which you can view on the link below. They explain what items can and can’t be recycled in West Sussex. As well as this the series will show what happens after your bin is collected and how recycling and waste is processed. Remember recycling should be: CLEAN – free from food and drink leftovers – a quick rinse will often do. DRY – keep your recycling bin lid shut – soggy paper and cardboard can’t be recycled and can stick to other items or clog up machinery when sorted. LOOSE – not tied up in plastic bags, as the machinery cannot sort these. More information   Hop on a bus – for free! There will be free bus travel every day next week, on Stagecoach’s new number 500 bus service between Chichester, Shopwhyke, Barnham, Yapton and Littlehampton. The free bus travel will be available, as an introductory offer, from 23 to 29 July inclusive. The new service, a partnership campaign with the county council and the Department for Transport, provides a half-hourly bus frequency, Monday to Saturday. Buses run hourly every Sunday. And remember, if you are a permanent West Sussex resident who has reached state pension age, you can get a free five-year bus pass for travelling off-peak all over England. This means you can catch a bus to anywhere in the county – and beyond, weekdays between 9.30am and 11pm and all day on weekends and bank holidays, free of charge! If you haven’t reached state pension age, the government has also extended the bus cap fare of £2 until 31 October 2023. Catch up on your child’s vaccinations Summer holidays are here! This is a great time to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date and it’s never too late to catch up on vaccinations they’ve missed. Making sure your child has their vaccinations at the right time, and before they start school, gives them the best protection against unpleasant and often serious diseases. Check the NHS vaccination schedule on our website and if you think your child has missed any of their vaccinations contact your GP practice. More information   Help to grow your business Businesses in West Sussex are invited to benefit from new in-person digital growth support that will be touring the county from September. Workshops and mentoring will be provided free to businesses, with the aim of helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase their efficiency, reduce costs and win new customers. The Grow Digital West Sussex programme will provide businesses with expert guidance on improving digital capabilities, give people an opportunity to connect with other business owners and enable them to opt in to one-to-one mentoring. More information   Get scam savvy this summer Residents in West Sussex lost a total of just over £3.5 million to criminals using different types of scams in the first three months of the year. The majority of victims were aged 60 or over and just under half of the reports came from people living alone. To stop individuals becoming victims of fraud and blackmail, we are running two ‘Are you scam savvy?’ events in August, both online and in person at Horsham and Bognor Regis libraries. The sessions are for anyone who wants to keep themselves, or friends and family, from falling foul of different types of scams, including telephone, courier and romance fraud, which have all become an increased concern in West Sussex. More information   More news Head to our Newsroom to find all the latest news. Below are some highlights: Let us know what you think of proposed locations for more electric vehicle chargepoints in West Sussex. The £29.5million Angmering and Littlehampton A259 road scheme has officially opened. There are two Discovery Days coming up at Littlehampton Library on Thursday 17 August from 10am to 3pm and at Willowhale in Bognor Regis on Monday 11 September from 10am to noon. The events showcase what libraries have to offer – from family-friendly toddler time to reading groups, author events, audiobooks, free Wi-Fi and lots more. The final phase of the Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme is now underway, with works taking place in the Civic Way roundabout area. There will be a number of overnight closures between now and early September. Our Trading Standards teams are taking firm action in their efforts to eradicate the sale of cheap and illegal tobacco continues across the county. Buchan Country Park, which is just outside Crawley and is run by the county council, has again been honoured with a prestigious Green Flag Award, the internationally recognised mark of quality for parks and green spaces.

NALC Newsletter

 

 

 

NALC calls for remote meeting powers The House of Lords has backed calls from NALC for councils to be able to hold remote council meetings by voting to support an amendment.     NALC at the LGA Annual Conference NALC represented local (parish and town) councils at the Local Government Association Annual Conference between 4 and 6 July 2023.   National Assembly NALC presented a strategic direction to the National Assembly after the sale of its former offices, prompting reassessing its overall direction.   Great Dawley Town Council wins Gold Great Dawley Town Council were awarded Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, becoming one of the first local councils to win such an award.   Blog: GoCollaborate In this week’s blog, NALC partner GoCollaborate write about how to unlock the full potential of your online community engagement.   Star Council Awards 2023 Nominations are open for the Star Council Awards 2023, which celebrate the achievements of the local council sector — submit a nomination today!

 

Chief executive’s bulletin

 

20 July 2023

Smaller Councils Committee 

NALC’s Smaller Councils Committee met at our new offices in London on 18 July 2023. Ahead of the draft minutes being made available, here’s a summary of the meeting:

• Congratulations to the new committee members Cllr Marcus Allen (Herefordshire), Cllr Allan Blakemore (County Durham), Cllr David Francis (Northumberland), Cllr Sarah Jackson (Dorset), and Cllr Mark Valladares (Suffolk), who was also elected committee vice-chair.
• The committee agreed for our partner WorkNest to engage with the committee further on updates to our HR templates.
• There were updates on the Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) and a reminder to committee members that they could provide feedback on the Practitioners’ Guide by completing an online form.
• The committee noted a draft document on emails, password management and domain names.
• The committee were still keen to hear from county associations about the number of local (parish and town) councils that have declared a climate emergency, what they’ve done to tackle climate change locally, and examples of how they have partnered with principal authorities to tackle climate change (please contact jessica.lancod-frost@nalc.gov.uk).
• Councillors agreed to work closely with us to encourage greater participation from smaller councils in the upcoming committee elections, and they supported plans to set up a new network for the smallest local councils with a precept/expenditure not exceeding £10,000.
• The committee was also reminded to consider signing the Civility and Respect Pledge, which has seen nearly 1,300 councils commit to standing up to poor behaviour across our sector.

 

Civility and Respect Project work on intervention 

Nineteen attendees from NALC, central government, principal authorities, the Society of Local Council Clerks and the local finance sector (including our partner’s Internal Audit Forum) met on 13 July 23 for the Civility and Respect Project’s intervention workshop. The workshop allowed attendees to share their experiences to improve civility and respect in the local council sector. The workshop concentrated on severe and chronic failures in local councils, and it was good that colleagues were open and willing to help the project identify resources to help turn around struggling councils, with a list of intervention tools produced, including how easy or challenging it would be to deliver them. All those in attendance agreed the session was valuable and productive.

Larger Councils Committee workshop  

NALC’s Larger Councils Committee will hold its annual in-person workshop at CCLA’s London offices on 25 July 2023. This workshop session will allow the committee to re-focus its goals for larger councils. The session will feature an introduction from the newly elected chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) and leader of Great Dawley Town Council, Cllr Shaun Davies. There will be an interactive segment where members will discuss how to encourage more people to get involved with the committee, its effectiveness and its work programme. The committee will also review NALC’s study tour at Newport Pagnell Town Council this year and preview next year’s plans. There will also be discussions and updates on the neighbourhood governance review, Martyn’s Law, and the work of our member services team.

On the blog: Action with Communities in Rural England

In this week’s blog, Jeremy Leggett, policy advisor at the Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), writes about better managing the shift from face-to-face banks to online banking. As a result of this shift, almost no bank branches remain in rural parts of England, local councils may struggle to manage their accounts, and people who need more confidence with IT hang on to cash-based workarounds, which causes other risks. To solve this issue, ACRE and other charities have worked with UK Finance to brainstorm ways forward. Proposed solutions include an online resource and a social contract between the banking industry, government and society. Read the blog to find out more!

Kent Association of Local Councils health event  

The Kent Association of Local Councils held an excellent online event on 17 July 2023 to discuss the role of local councils in promoting health and wellbeing. Cllr Clair Bell, lead for adult social care and public health at Kent County Council, opened the event, stressing the importance of partnership and that no organisation can do it alone, and how the role of communities at a very local level is vital and that local councils have a crucial role in addressing the broader determinants of health. I briefed them on our sector’s promotion of health and wellbeing nationwide. I also flagged several available resources on the NALC website, including good practice case studies and specific information on creating healthy communities, dementia, tackling loneliness, and standing up to violence against women and girls, to name a few.

Princess Royal opens parish council affordable housing development

Congratulations to Steeple Parish Council in Kent on the official opening of its rural housing development on 18 July 2023 by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The six affordable homes were completed last year to meet affordable housing needs and were achieved through a community-led partnership between the council, district council and English Rural. NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens was among the guests who attended the opening and met Her Royal Highness at the village hall. In her remarks to Keith, Her Royal Highness urged him to tell all local councils about the development and what can be achieved – therefore taking up that challenge, please read more about the development! And if you been involved in similar schemes, please let us know at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk so we can share your examples more widely too.

NALC in parliament 

It’s been a busy and productive week for NALC’s advocacy in parliament ahead of the summer recess. I was delighted the House of Lords backed our call for local councils to be able to hold remote council meetings by voting to support an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. NALC’s president, Baroness Scott of Needham Market, has spearheaded this campaign in parliament, speaking out strongly in debates. She was among numerous supporters of a new clause to the Bill that Baroness McIntosh of Pickering proposed. We’ll be working with various organisations, including the LGA, to lobby for this to be retained, as given the government’s opposition, it may be overturned when the Bill returns to the House of Commons. And following pressure by NALC to clarify the powers of local councils to provide financial assistance to places of worship, the government has introduced an amendment to the Bill, which was also supported. However, it was disappointing to hear the government continue to resist extending the dependent carer’s allowance to local councils, despite support from other political parties. Along with NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, other colleagues and I have represented our sector at various summer receptions this week hosted by Mobile UK, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Local Government and the Centre for London. These allowed us to engage with ministers, shadow ministers, MPs, Peers, principal council leaders, think tanks and other stakeholders. Keith also met with Sir Julian Lewis MP on 19 July 2023 to discuss his Early Day Motion on standards, brief him on our Civility and Respect Project and explore how we can work together to engage with MPs on this critical issue.

And finally… 

There is only one week left to submit your Star Council Awards nominations! Help recognise the achievements of the local council sector’s achievements and showcase our communities’ hidden heroes. There are five award categories: Council of the Year, Councillor of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, County Association of the Year and Clerk of the Year. All are carefully selected to recognise excellence in different areas of local council operations and highlight the varied contributions made by councils. The nomination period ends on 28 July 2023, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in the House of Lords on 29 November 2023. You’ve got to be in it to win it!

NALC Newsletter

 

Online events are free to watch again NALC’s online events from the last year are now free to watch again, along with earlier online events dating back to July 2020.     The Rural Coalition NALC has joined The Rural Coalition to urge the government not to ignore England’s 9.7 million rural votes.     NALC attends Net Zero event NALC attended the Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local Councils and the Leicestershire County Council Net Zero Leicestershire event.     Blog: The Climate Coalition  In this week’s blog, The Climate Coalition lists five ways local councils can get involved, tackle climate change, and create climate-friendly environments.     Star Council Awards 2023 Nominations are open for the Star Council Awards 2023, which celebrate the achievements of the local council sector — submit a nomination today!

The Rural Bulletin – 11 July 2023

 

Please click here to access the new Rural Bulletin

 

 

NALC Events

 

 

 

Demystifying the role of local councillors 26 July 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 Have you ever wondered about the role of your local councillor? Do you know what they do or what skills they need to perform their duties effectively? This event aims to demystify the vital role of local councillors in the community and highlight the crucial skillset they require. Join us to hear from experts in the field who have become brilliant local councillors at various local government levels. Whether you live in a parished or un-parished area, this event will provide a valuable opportunity to learn about the work and role of local councillors in your community. We will explore how councillors can make a difference in the lives of residents, the challenges they face, and the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. A panel of experts will share their insights, experiences, and advice. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions, gaining a deeper understanding of the vital contribution that local councillors make to your community. Speakers: Cllr Michaella Biscomb (Kippax Parish Council), Cllr James Jamieson (Local Government Association) and Cllr Jeremy Richardson (Cold Norton Parish Council)

 

 

Buy tickets

 

 

Engaging with local communities through digital engagement 27 September 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 In today’s rapidly changing world, digital engagement with local communities has become more crucial, especially when delivering community regeneration and neighbourhood development plans. Local (parish and town) councils must make it as easy as possible for people to engage with them and be flexible enough to meet the needs of communities. Join us at this informative event to learn about effective digital engagement strategies that can broaden community participation beyond the usual suspects. You will discover how digital tools and platforms can enable local councils to connect with residents more efficiently and effectively and make it easier for people to engage with the decision-making processes that affect their lives. Our expert speakers will share their experiences on how digital engagement can help local councils access funding, develop partnerships, and deliver successful regeneration and neighbourhood development projects. You will also learn about the challenges and opportunities in implementing strategies and the skills and resources needed to make them work. Whether you are a local councillor, community leader, or resident interested in participating in your community’s development, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain insights and strategies for effective digital engagement. Join us and learn how to harness the power of digital to empower local communities and deliver successful regeneration projects.

 

 

Buy tickets

 

 

Empowering young voices in your community 25 October 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 Local (parish and town) councils have a long history of working with young people in their communities. However, engaging with today’s youth can be challenging, especially with the rapid changes in technology and communication. This event aims to provide practical tips and guidance on new ways to engage with young people in your community, understand their needs, and gather their views on crucial local topics. By listening to young people’s voices, local councils can empower them to become leaders and spokespeople for change in their communities. Join us to learn about strategies for engaging with young people that go beyond traditional methods and find out how to get the most out of the local leaders of tomorrow in your area. Our expert speakers will share their experiences creating effective youth engagement programs, using digital tools, and building strong partnerships with schools, youth organisations, and other community stakeholders. Whether you are a local councillor, community leader, or youth worker, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable wisdom and helpful tips on engaging with young people and empowering them to impact your community positively. Join us and discover how to harness the power of youth voices to create a better future for all.

 

 

Buy tickets

 

 

Making the planning system work for local councils 22 November 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 Planning is undoubtedly the most significant issue affecting most parished communities in England. While the government has retreated from some of its controversial policy commitments from the 2020 white paper, it is time to re-examine the sector’s current concerns about planning in local council areas. Join us at this exciting event to hear from a national policy stakeholder and relevant planning case studies from the local council sector on improving the planning system to meet local (parish and town) council needs. Our expert speakers will share their knowledge on the challenges and opportunities of planning in local councils and discuss approaches for improving community engagement, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring a fair and transparent planning process. You will have the opportunity to engage in lively discussions with fellow attendees and learn from the experiences of other local councils facing similar planning challenges. Whether you are a local councillor, community leader, planner, or resident interested in planning issues, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain wisdom on revitalising your community’s planning. Join us and discover how to work towards a planning system that meets the needs of local councils and empowers communities to shape their future.

 

 

Buy tickets

 

 

Winning strategies for the funding game 15 December 2023 — 12.00 – 13.15 Local (parish and town) councils play a vital role in their communities, providing essential services and facilities and promoting economic and social development. However, unlike other local authorities, local councils generally cannot directly apply to central government funding. This event aims to showcase these exceptions and provide information on why it makes sense from a funder’s perspective for local councils to be able to apply for such funds. You will hear from experts and local councils that have successfully secured grant funding. They will share their experiences and tips on navigating the current funding environment and increasing your chances of success. Join us at this event to discover strategies for winning the funding game. You will learn about the types of funding available to local councils, the eligibility criteria, and the application process. You will also hear about successful case studies that have secured financing and how they have used the funds to benefit their communities. Whether you are a local councillor, clerk, or community leader, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights on accessing funding sources and making the most of funding opportunities for your community. Join us and learn how to play the funding game and win!

 

 

Buy tickets

 

 

How local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda 31 January 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15 The levelling up agenda has been a hot topic recently, with many questions about what it means, which areas it applies to, and which sectors will benefit. Local (parish and town) councils are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the levelling up agenda, but they need to be prepared for the challenges that come with devolution. This event will explain how local councils can survive and thrive in a devolved environment by taking on assets, liabilities, and services from their principal authority. You will learn about the benefits and challenges of devolution and hear from experts on how to make the most of the opportunities presented by the levelling up agenda. Join us to understand better how local councils can benefit from the levelling up agenda and what steps they need to take to prepare for devolution. You will hear from speakers with experience in local government and councils successfully navigating the devolution process. They will share their understandings, best practices, and lessons learned, giving you a helpful perspective on succeeding in a devolved environment. This event suits local councillors, clerks, and community leaders who want to understand the opportunities and challenges of the levelling up agenda and how to prepare for devolution. Join us to learn how to survive and thrive in a devolved environment and make the most of the opportunities presented by the levelling up agenda.

 

 

Buy tickets

 

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of social media in the local council sector 28 February 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15 Social media can be a powerful tool for local (parish and town) councils to engage with their communities, but it can also be a source of conflict and negativity. This event will explore the benefits and drawbacks of social media use in the sector and provide guidance on how to use it effectively and responsibly. Join us for a candid discussion on the dos and don’ts of social media in the local council sector. We’ll explore case studies and best practices and provide actionable advice on creating a social media policy that promotes civility and respect. Whether you’re a seasoned social media user or just getting started, this event is a must-attend for anyone who wants to use social media to build stronger communities.

 

 

Buy tickets

 

 

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.

 

 

Buy tickets

 

 

 

Whitehall Cinema Bombing

 

Mid Sussex District Council’s Standards Committee – call for Nominations for Town and Parish Members

(Sent by MSDC to Town Councillors at East Grinstead Town Council)

 

We currently have four vacancies for Town and Parish Councillors to sit on the Mid Sussex District Council’s Standards Committee. The purpose of this email is to seek nominations for these vacancies.

 

If Members would like to sit on this committee, please could you send your nominations to committees@midsussex.gov.uk by 5pm Monday 31 July 2023. Please do include whether they have sat on this, or a similar committee in the past. We will be in touch to advise who has been appointed.

 

Standards Committee

The Committee comprises of six District Councillors and four Town and Parish Councillors. The role is for a four-year term until April 2027.

Three Independent Persons are also in attendance at committee meetings.

The Committee meets approximately twice a year, with meetings normally held in the evenings at 7.00pm at the Mid Sussex District Council Chamber in Haywards Heath.

The first Standards Committee meeting will be held on Monday 11 September 2023 at 7pm.

 

What does the role entail?

 

We are seeking Town and Parish Members to provide representation from across the District.

 

The role requires an ability to act with integrity and impartiality. The Council’s Standards Committee has a number of duties relating to:

• the promotion of high standards of conduct by Councillors,
• reviewing and monitoring complaints under the Council’s Complaints Procedure and
• monitoring the operation of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
• Should a complaint against a Councillor require assessment, you may be required to sit on an Assessment Sub Committee and Hearings Panel. This would be on an ad-hoc basis and would comprise 3 members of the Standards Committee.

County Councils appointed to prepare Local Nature Recovery Strategies for Sussex

(Sent by West Sussex County Council to all major stakeholders)

 

 

West Sussex and East Sussex County Councils have been appointed as the ‘Responsible Authorities’ for the production of two Local Nature Recovery Strategies for Sussex over the next 18 months: one covering West Sussex, and one for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a flagship measure in the Environment Act 2021 to encourage more coordinated, practical, and focussed action and investment in nature. It is the first time that planning for nature recovery in England has been put on a statutory footing.

We will be working in partnership to produce these stakeholder-led and evidence-based strategies, supported by Brighton & Hove City Council and Natural England. We will explore what actions can be taken to address the biodiversity crisis in Sussex as well as related matters, including the impacts of climate change.

To develop these Local Nature Recovery Strategies, we will work in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Sussex Nature Partnership, local authorities, the South Downs National Park Authority and the bodies for the two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, and major landowners.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “I’m delighted that the County Council has been appointed to prepare the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for West Sussex. We look forward to working with East Sussex County Council, our partners, and a wide range of stakeholders, including local communities, farmers and landowners, and biodiversity and natural environment experts. We want our Local Nature Recovery Strategies for Sussex to link nature to people and places and to explore what actions can be taken to deliver positive change for nature and to aid its recovery.”

Notes to editors:

• Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a new policy contained in the Environment Act 2021.
• The responsible authorities are now able to begin preparing their strategies, which should take between 12-18 months. They will begin working with local stakeholders over the next few months.
• On 23 March 2023, the government published regulations and statutory guidance setting out the process that each responsible authority must follow and what each strategy should include.
• The preparation of each LNRS will be supported by Natural England, the Environment Agency, and the Forestry Commission.
• LNRS will not mandate any changes to local landowners.

Planning Applications & Decisions

 

 

 

Investing in Better Roads

(Sent by West Sussex County Council to all major stakeholders)

 

 

West Sussex County Council is investing a further £4.5 million into maintaining the county’s highways and roads following a sharp increase in the number of safety defects and issues being reported by our residents.

This gives a total boost of £14.5 million to funding for highways operations with the rest being made up of the £7 million increase in funds for road maintenance from the Council’s capital budget, and £3 million allocated to the county by central government for pothole repairs. We will continue to monitor the impact this increased funding has on the condition of the road network and will review if further investment is required.

Last year, West Sussex experienced one of its hottest summers, which was then followed by higher-than-average rainfall from September to January combined with extremely cold periods in the winter months. These extreme fluctuations in the weather caused repeated expansion and contraction of the road surfaces, which led to a higher-than-normal number of potholes forming.

Over the past four years, the County Council has received 15,800 reports about potholes on average per year. Within the first 5 months of 2023, we have received 22,000 reports of potholes and this number will continue to grow as the year progresses.

In order to make best use of resources, West Sussex County Council has introduced a number of proactive measures to try and tackle the ongoing problems faced by those who use our approximately 4,000km of road network.

The agreed funding will be used to provide resources to repair potholes including additional gangs working on the road network and procurement of an additional road patching machine, bringing our total to three road patching machines operating within the county this year. We will also be carrying out drainage works and refreshing signs and lines across West Sussex to improve visibility and safety.

Cllr Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “We understand the frustrations felt by those who use our county’s roads over the poor conditions found in some areas and the impact this can have on their journeys. Please know that we feel that frustration too and are working hard to make improvements.

“This year, the County Council has agreed to exceptional one-off funding of £4.5million which is in addition to our agreed yearly budget for road maintenance. I am confident that this will enable us to tackle the majority of the current backlog of repairs through the summer months and provide smoother journeys to residents.”

Road users can report potholes using our online form. Please provide as much detail as you can about the size and exact location to help us to respond quickly. https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-a-pothole-online/

 

GATCOM News Bulletin

 

RSN Rural Funding Digest – July 2023 Edition

 

To access the new Rural Funding Digest please click this hyperlink.

The Rural Bulletin – 4 July 2023

 

To access the new Rural Bulletin please click this hyperlink.

 

Chief executive’s bulletin 6 July 2023 A new online event on reconnecting communities through community transport   This week NALC launched another online event on reconnecting communities through community transport on 27 March 2024. In recent years, the provision of community transport has become an increasingly important issue for local (parish and town) councils. This event will showcase successful community transport programmes that local councils have implemented, provide details about the national stakeholders, and show how local councils can collaborate with other organisations to improve transport options in their area. Register your place today and visit our website to learn more about our other online events. National Assembly agenda papers   NALC’s National Assembly will next meet on 11 July 2023. The assembly comprises councillor representatives from all 43 county associations. Next week’s agenda includes NALC committee elections, strategic updates on the office move, proposals on NALC governance, updates from committee chairs and a discussion on the climate emergency, including a guest speaker from Utility Aid. You can read the full agenda on our website. On the blog: The Climate Coalition  The Climate Coalition, the UK’s largest group dedicated to action against climate change, writes this week’s blog. Local councils have a unique opportunity to spearhead initiatives in the communities they know best, which will contribute to a more sustainable future. The blog lists five ways local councils and communities in the UK can get involved, tackle climate change, and create more climate-friendly environments. These include communications, sustainable practices, encouraging low-carbon travel, promoting nature and green spaces, and collaboration and partnerships. Read the blog to learn how your local council can create climate-friendly environments that contribute to the fight against climate change. Net zero Leicestershire!  This week on 3 July 2023, I gave an update on the work local councils are doing nationally to deliver on net zero to this year’s annual parish council liaison event hosted by the Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local Councils (LRALC) and Leicestershire County Council (LCC). It was a well-attended face-to-face event, and good to hear what councils are doing locally. Another presenter flagged up the experience of one parish council that had set up a repair cafe saving some 35.3m tonnes of CO2 emissions. This annual event is an excellent example of partnership working with LRALC and LCC, also holding operational meetings every six weeks to brief clerks on developments and respond to questions. Local Government Association survey on remote meetings  A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) overwhelmingly found that most councils (95 per cent) want the powers to reintroduce virtual and hybrid technology for statutory council meetings. Two years have passed since the government’s call for evidence on the issue closing. Our chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, was also quoted in the findings: “We need to make it easier, not harder, for people to participate in civic life and get involved in their local communities. Giving local (parish and town) councils the flexibility to hold online and hybrid council meetings is a great place to start and should be decided locally and not in Downing Street”. The BBC also covered the story of the survey’s findings that councillors are quitting over in-person meetings. A legal requirement to hold full council meetings in person was temporarily dropped during the pandemic but reintroduced in May 2021. The survey found that one in 10 councils had seen members stand down since then due to the change. Why do parish councils matter?  Ahead of NALC’s fringe session at the LGA Conference, representatives from the LGA’s four political groups (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent) have written essays on why they think local councils matter. It includes their closeness to the communities they serve, their empowerment of local communities by involving them in decision-making processes, their ability to provide a rapid yet locally-led response to national events and to deliver essential local services and the vital role they play in environmental stewardship and in holding principal authorities to account. You can read all the essays on our website. Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments new website   The Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA) launched their new website last week. The new design has improved many functions, such as better layout and more detailed navigation, making information much more accessible and much easier to find for authorities, stakeholders and the general public. The new website has various key documents, explains the audit process in more detail, and allows searching by county area for the appointed auditor. It also contains Google Analytics, which will allow for more significant insights to help make further improvements in the future. Check out the website! Eden Project — Community Nature Trails  The Eden Project is inviting local communities to get involved with their new initiative and create a Community Nature Trail this summer. A Community Nature Trail is a local map developed by the community for the community that highlights spaces, activities, events, and projects that helps bring people closer to nature and each other. The Eden Project partnered with RSPB, More Human, and members of the Community Action Collective to develop the project. More Human, a community events expert organisation, has made it easy for communities to build, promote, and share nature trails. This summer, you can get the neighbourhood involved in nature-related activities by creating your Community Nature Trail today! And finally…   Last week, we shared some information on our partners, GoCollaborate, offering free online demonstrations of their consultation and engagement tool. Unfortunately, the date for their session was incorrect. County officers, councillors and clerks can register for a half-hour session on 10 July at 11 am or 2 pm to see and discuss how the tool can be used to gain high-quality community feedback and information needed to assist in making robust and inclusive planning decisions.

 

NALC Newsletter

 

NALC Study Tour 2023 NALC annual study tour returned for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic to Newport Pagnell Town Council in Buckinghamshire last week.     A new event on community transport NALC has launched a new online event on reconnecting communities through community transport on 27 March 2024.     Rural Insight Forum NALC attended the Rural Insight Forum meeting, which focused on the government’s recent policy paper supporting growth in rural areas.     Blog: Alcester Town Council In this week’s blog, Alcester Town Council have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of its residents.     Star Council Awards 2023 Nominations are open for the Star Council Awards 2023, which celebrate the achievements of the local council sector — submit a nomination today!

Mid Sussex Voluntary Action celebrates after receiving £252,712 in National Lottery funding

 

Mount Noddy Tennis Courts

(Sent by MSDC Estate Team)

 

We are writing to advise you that improvement works will be taking place at Mount Noddy tennis courts, week beginning 3 July. These improvements, include the refurbishment of the two lower tennis courts and the installation of new electronic access gates for these courts.

 

The work is scheduled to take place week beginning 3 July 2023 and will last for approximately seven weeks. All works are limited to only the lower two tennis courts, though the contractor will be setting up a small compound.

 

The refurbished of the tennis courts should not have an impact on the use of other areas or local residents.

 

 

Planning Applications & Decisions

 

Road Closure date notification – Portland Road, East Grinstead – Carriageway Resurfacing – 11/07/2023 – North Mid Sussex

 

Please be advised that Portland Road in East Grinstead is due to be closed on Tuesday 11^th of July 2023 for carriageway resurfacing. An alternative route for traffic will be signed on site.  Please note that these works are weather dependant and subject to change, 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 11^th January 2022.

 

Road Name	Location	Date (from and to)	Timing of Closure (eg, 24hr, off peak 09:30 to 16:00, Night 08:00 to 06:00)
Portland Road, East Grinstead	High Street to Ship Street	11/07/2023 – 12/07/2023	08:00 – 18:00

 

If you have any questions regarding this specific closure, please reply to this email directly.

 

Further information can also be found via one.network

 

 

NALC Newsletter

 

NALC supports Whitstable campaign NALC showed its support for Whitstable’s  campaign for a new town council at the public launch on 7 June 2023.   A new online event on social media NALC has launched a new online event on the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media in the local council sector on 28 February 2024.   Young councillors network NALC National Network: Young councillors met on 7 June 2023 to discuss how to make the network more effective for councillors.   Blog: Stonewall In this week’s blog, Stonewall shares five top tips for kickstarting LGBTQ+ inclusion at your organisation, regardless of shape or size.   Star Council Awards 2023 Nominations are open for the Star Council Awards 2023, which celebrate the achievements of the local council sector — submit a nomination today!

TRO Consultation: Blackwell Farm Road Waiting Restrictions

 

West Sussex County Council proposes to make a permanent Traffic Regulation Order that will introduce various short lengths of new double yellow lines near the traffic island at the northern junction of Blackwell Farm Road with Elizabeth Crescent in East Grinstead.

 

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 13 July 2023. (martin.moore@westsussex.gov.uk)

 

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/traffic-regulation-orders/

 

TRO Consultation: East Grinstead Lingfield Road

 

West Sussex County Council proposes to make a permanent Traffic Regulation Order that will extend an existing length of double yellow line on the eastern side of Lingfield Road in East Grinstead so that it runs from the junction with Durkins Road northwards for a distance of approximately 20m.

 

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 13 July 2023. (martin.moore@westsussex.gov.uk)

 

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/traffic-regulation-orders/

An Open Letter from the CEO, David Hinton – Southern Water

(Sent by CEO David Hinton to all major stakeholders)

 

I am writing to personally apologise for the drinking water supply shortages in Kent and Sussex, and to provide an update on the situation. In this letter, I will explain why this situation has arisen, how we are working to overcome it and to offer reassurance to our customers across the region.South East Water exists to provide the public drinking water service. Other companies will provide sewerage services to you. On 16 June, due to record levels of demand for drinking water over consecutive days, we announced that we would be introducing a Temporary Use Ban – more commonly known as a ‘hosepipe ban’ – to protect the water supply for all our customers in Kent and Sussex. In exceptionally dry periods and when dealing with surges in usage, the most effective short-term strategy for ensuring supply is rapidly reducing demand. Restrictions put the brakes on non-essential usage, such as watering gardens with hosepipes, which use huge quantities of treated water. This is to ensure that water is only used for essential purposes, such as drinking, cooking and washing. Despite our best efforts, the severe conditions in the run up to 16 June meant that some customers were affected by low pressure or no water. We are sincerely sorry to those affected and want to reassure impacted customers that they will be compensated in line with our Guaranteed Standards of Service (we are in the process of writing directly to those affected). We are often asked: how we got to this point? The short answer is that there have been significant recent changes to supply and demand, driven by three key factors: Changing consumption habits: Over the past three years the way in which drinking water is being used across the South East has changed considerably. The rise of working from home has increased drinking water demand in commuter towns by around 20 per cent over a very short period, testing our existing infrastructure. Low rainfall: The severe lack of rainfall since April has increased demand for treated drinking water. Water butts are empty, lawns are drying out and farms have used their stored water supplies. Our reservoir and aquifer stocks of raw water, essential to our water supply but not ready to be used, are in a good position. However, demand for treated mains water, which takes time to process and deliver was greater than we could meet. Despite every available water treatment works and supply source operating 24/7 at maximum output, we could not treat water quickly enough to meet the pace of demand and therefore had to act. Hot weather: Hot days often result in spikes in demand as customers stay hydrated, cool off or tend to their gardens. Over the past week we have needed to find water to supply the equivalent of an additional four towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne, every day. What are we doing about this? To keep the taps flowing, we are currently prioritising projects across our system to increase the amount of water that we can supply, whilst implementing solutions at points in our network where water supply can be a challenge. We are confident, with our customers’ help, that we can improve the reliability of the water supply in the short to medium-term. We are also developing our 2025-2030 plan, required by all water companies by our regulator, Ofwat. This will be critical in permanently addressing the issues we are currently seeing due to the changing conditions outlined above. To achieve this, we are proposing several initiatives to increase capacity, connectivity and resilience, including: Building new reservoirs: If approved by the regulator, work on a new reservoir at Broad Oak near Canterbury will shortly commence, which should increase overall capacity in the long-term. Increasing connectivity: We are making plans to improve connectivity between water supplies in sometimes hard-to-reach areas – diversifying supply and increasing resilience in tough conditions. Increasing storage tanks: We are planning to increase localised drinking water storage tanks to bolster our network. Addressing leaks: With more extreme weather – in winter as well as summer – we are investing nearly £40 million a year in resources to address leakage across our network as pipes come under increasing strain from extreme fluctuations in temperature. We deeply regret falling short of our high standards and want to assure you that we are doing everything that we can to plan and build for the future – ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted water supply. We have set up a feedback form for you to send us details of any concerns you have, which can be accessed here. If you have any further questions, we encourage you review our FAQs on the current situation here. David Hinton Chief Executive Officer South East Water

 

 

Planning Decisions

 

 

GATCOM News Bulletin

 

18th August – Invitation for youth visit to Bayham Abbey and other Mid Sussex Sponsored Events

 

Included below:

• Free visit to Bayham Abbey on 18^th August
• Clarion Futures Free online Training Courses
• Free Training – Hidden Sentence 2^nd August Burgess Hill

 

Free visit to Bayham Abbey on 18^th August

 

My name is Chania and I work with young people aged 11-25 as part of English Heritage’s youth engagement programme, Shout Out Loud. The Conservation in Heritage van will be arriving at Bayham Abbey on the 18th August, and I would love to organise a visit for a local youth group to the site on this day.

The day would be paid for and the group would get to take part in a heritage-based activity with the van.

Please let me know if this is something you think the young people you work with would be interested in, or if you know of another local youth organisation I could contact.

Chania Fox | Youth Participation Officer – South East & London (Shout Out Loud) | Curatorial Department

Mob: 07824 308 68

English Heritage
6th Floor, 100 Wood

Street, London

EC2V 7AN
www.english-heritage.org.uk

 

Clarion Futures Free online Training Courses

 

Just checking in and letting you know we have some brand new upcoming training, courses and workshops.

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/clarion-futures-32710605561

 

You can book onto our Employability Workshops and the Confidence Box – Confidence Building Workshops here – virtually.

 

We also have an account with Staff Skills Training and have access to lots of new E-Learning courses. You can have a look through their catalogue here and let me know if there’s any you’d like to complete – https://staffskillstraining.co.uk/courses/all/

 

Whitney Henry – Employment Support Officer

Clarion Futures Jobs & Training

Mid Sussex and Brighton & Hove

Mob: 07704 665814

Email: Whitney.henry@clarionhg.com

 

 

Free Training – Hidden Sentence 2^nd August Burgess Hill

 

Sussex Prisoners’ Families Free Training “Hidden Sentence” for professionals supporting anyone with a loved one in prison or facing the criminal justice system. Wednesday 2^nd August @ Kings Church, Burgess Hill RH15 9LR.

 

To book your place go to:  Hidden Sentence Training Tickets, Wed 2 Aug 2023 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

 

Join us for this eye-opening look at the issues facing prisoners and their families. We can also offer shorter, workshop-style events and online training.

Hidden Sentence Training increases awareness of issues facing prisoners’ families and identifies ways to support them.

The course will explore the ways in which families are affected by imprisonment:

 

Understand the impact of imprisonment on prisoners’ families

Improve your understanding of the prison system

Understand the support needs of prisoners’ families

Understand the needs and wishes of prisoners’ families

Understand how to improve the coordination of services to provide more effective support for those affected by the imprisonment of a family member

Understand how to improve your own practice in supporting prisoners’ families

info@sussexprisonersfamilies.org.uk or call 01273 499843 for more info.

Armed Forces Day 24th June 2023

 

Mid Sussex District Council’s Standards Committee – call for Nominations for Town and Parish Members

(Sent by Mid Sussex District Council to all Councillors within the District)

We currently have four vacancies for Town and Parish Councillors to sit on the Mid Sussex District Council’s Standards Committee. The purpose of this email is to seek nominations for these vacancies.

 

I would be grateful if you could please circulate this information to your Members for them to consider. If Members would like to sit on this committee, please could you send your nominations to committees@midsussex.gov.uk by 5pm Monday 31 July 2023. Please do include whether they have sat on this, or a similar committee in the past. We will be in touch to advise who has been appointed.

 

Standards Committee

The Committee comprises of six District Councillors and four Town and Parish Councillors. The role is for a four-year term until April 2027.

Three Independent Persons are also in attendance at committee meetings.

The Committee meets approximately twice a year, with meetings normally held in the evenings at 7.00pm at the Mid Sussex District Council Chamber in Haywards Heath.

The first Standards Committee meeting will be held on Monday 11 September 2023 at 7pm.

 

What does the role entail?

 

We are seeking Town and Parish Members to provide representation from across the District.

 

The role requires an ability to act with integrity and impartiality. The Council’s Standards Committee has a number of duties relating to:

• the promotion of high standards of conduct by Councillors,
• reviewing and monitoring complaints under the Council’s Complaints Procedure and
• monitoring the operation of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
• Should a complaint against a Councillor require assessment, you may be required to sit on an Assessment Sub Committee and Hearings Panel. This would be on an ad-hoc basis and would comprise 3 members of the Standards Committee.

 

Should you require further information please do let me know.

 

Planning Applications & Decisions

 

 

Mid Sussex Business Crime Partnership

 

Note from EGTC: –

Dear Councillors,

Kindly note that you do not have individual access to the DISC system. If you desire access, it is imperative that you familiarise yourselves with the privacy rules. You may choose to sign up for access or consult either Alice or Julie to gain further insights into its functionality, as we presently have access.

We appreciate your cooperation.

 

Latest News and Updates

 

To access the Mid Sussex Business Crime Partnership Disc system tap/click here or tap/click on the link under each item below to read further details. If you’re having problems tap/click here. If you don’t want to receive this eNewsletter any longer, tap/click here.

Latest Subjects

4 Subjects have been added in the last seven days:

4 ID-Sought Subjects were added. Tap/click here to view all recent additions

Latest Gallery Amendments

20 ‘status’ changes have been made to Galleries

There have been 20 changes to the statuses of individuals displayed on Galleries in the last 7 days. Tap/click here to view all recent changes

News

Cost of living: is shoplifting on the rise?

Stores tighten security as thefts of goods soars by 22% amid financial turmoil. Tap/click here for more details

NBCC May 2023 Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest news from the National Business Crime Centre. Tap/click here for more details

 

Digital support and scams awareness day at East Grinstead Library next Wednesday (14 June)

 

 

Please share accordingly:

Digital support and scams awareness day at East Grinstead Library next Wednesday (14 June)

There are two parts to the day:

Between 10am and 11.30am there is an in-person session with Claudia Deamer providing attendees with the knowledge on how to spot scams and what to do if they, or their family, become a victim of online fraud.

Then from 11.30am – 3pm there is the ability for anyone to drop in and have a chat with members and volunteers from the Digital Safety Team and the West Sussex Libraries Digital Access Team and Digital Volunteers to support people with any kind of digital enquiry or to provide information on how to be more scam aware.

“When talking isn’t working”

(Written by Katy Bourne OBE to all major stakeholders)

 

Hello Last week I visited Parkfield Equine Solutions, a West Sussex-based charity who deliver the world-renowned work of The Horse Course. Their programme welcomes young people who are facing a variety of issues including mental health difficulties, ADHD or those who are at risk of offending. I was delighted to award them £4,750 from the latest tranche of my Safer in Sussex Community Fund and it was wonderful to see, first-hand, how the funding is making a difference and to watch how effective their innovative support programmes are. Parkfield Equine Solutions say they’re there for ‘when talking isn’t working’. They usually work with participants who have been referred to them by partners such as social services, schools, youth charities or police early intervention programmes and, often, the participants have previously struggled with talk-based therapies like counselling. On my visit, I met young people who were taking part in the charity’s flagship course ‘Restart’. It’s a 5 day, 1-to-1 equine-assisted intervention and includes children and young people working with the horses through a variety of agility type obstacles. Participants are guided by trained staff members and volunteers to practice 8 core skills including calmness, focus, communication and empathy. Terri Martinus, the CEO of Parkfield Equine Solutions, told me that 8 out of every 10 young people they work with will perform better in school and foster better relationships with friends and family as a result. It is vital we have services providing less conventional options for those who are struggling. We know if people can’t access support that works for them, they face a higher chance of experiencing social isolation and this can lead to them being more vulnerable to becoming a victim of crime.

Funding awarded to 16 services supporting victims and witnesses of crime

In my role as Police & Crime Commissioner, I am provided with funding from the Ministry of Justice to support local services who work with victims and witnesses of crime. I established my Safe Space Sussex Funding Network in 2018, inviting eligible services to apply for a grant of up to £20,000. The grants can be used to build on their existing work, increase training programmes, advance their technology, hire additional staff or buy essential equipment needed to provide the best support possible for those who need their services. A large part of their funding application asks how they work with partners to provide support to victims who may have multiple vulnerabilities and how they exchange knowledge across specialisms. This includes how services work with Sussex Police as well as mental health services and our county councils. I have now awarded my most recent round of funding within the Network. Over £250,000 has been given to a range of organisations offering tailored support in Sussex including: LGBTQ+ services; stalking awareness organisations; programmes that deliver support for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse; as well as support for elderly survivors of crime; and development of training for staff focusing on child sexual exploitation. All the services that have been awarded funding display dynamic and innovative approaches, thereby strengthening the effective support we are able to offer across the county and reaching people most in need of help. You can read more about my Safe Space Funding Network and the organisations who have received financial grants on my website. Finally, 1-7 June is Volunteers Week. We’ll be highlighting the work of our Independent Custody Volunteers, our Restorative Justice volunteers and mediation services on our social media throughout next week. You will be able to read more about the week and how important volunteers are to the work of my office and Sussex Police in my next newsletter. Katy Bourne OBE Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

GATCOM News Bulletin

 

 

Upcoming Events – EGBA

Please follow this link to see the latest events from the EGBA 

The Rural Bulletin – 6 June 2023

Please follow this link to see the latest Rural Bulletin

 

Cleaning of the High Street War Memorial

 

(Before & after)

 

 

On Thursday 25^th May the cleaning of the High Street, War Memorial was undertaken by specialist contractors Independent Memorial Inspection www.imi-cenotaph.co.uk

 

A grant application was made to War Memorials Trust www.warmemorials.org towards the restoration cost and this was successful to the sum of £1,880.

 

Cllr John Belsey attended to see the work being undertaken and couldn’t resist the temptation of viewing the top of the war memorial from the cherry picker!

 

 

Lingfield Neighbourhood Plan Regulation 14 Consultation 17 May to 28 June 2023

 

This will be on the agenda for the next planning meeting 12^th June.   Can all comments be submitted to the Clerk or Chairman of Planning by that date? By doing so, this will allow the Town Clerk to collate a detailed response.  The new consultation group will be asked to review the draft for submission once they are in place after 15^th June.

 

 

 

 

 

Planning Application & Decisions

 

 

 

 

Chief executive’s bulletin   1 June 2023 A new online event on empowering young voices in your community This week we launched a new online event on empowering young voices in your community, taking place on 25 October 2023. Young people’s voices, views, and ideas are essential for local (parish and town) councils and shouldn’t be overlooked! The event provides practical tips and guidance on new ways to engage with young people in your community, understand their needs, and gather their views on crucial topics. Register your place today and visit our website to learn more about our other online events. NALC urges government to retain local council green planning role We have urged the government to retain local councils’ central green planning role. In our response to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities consultation, Environmental Outcomes Report: a new approach to environmental assessment, we argued that any attempt to replace the current system of Strategic Environmental Assessment in the planning system with Environmental Outcomes Reports must not result in a weakening of environmental protection or a reduced opportunity for local councils to be able to comment on environmental issues. Local councils benefit from Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme It was great to see many local councils benefit from the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, which invests funding to level up facilities across the United Kingdom. The programme will invest over £300 million between 2021 and 2025 to make essential facility improvements so communities have a high-quality pitch to play on. Check out the interactive map of successful projects in England for 2022/23. Management Board Our Management Board met remotely on 18 May 2023 and noted that the recent local council elections had led to a few vacancies on our committees and agreed that representatives of county associations on our National Assembly should be invited to express an interest in joining pending our full elections later in the year. This demonstrates the importance of more people getting involved in the work of their county and national associations, so look out for opportunities. The board also received updates on our new website and CRM project and progress with reviewing our financial strategy and reserves policy following the sale of our former HQ building. The board was pleased that a productive meeting had been held recently with Society of Local Council Clerks colleagues. It also agreed to have a separate meeting to focus on several outstanding internal governance issues. On the blog: Playing Out and WorkNest This week’s blog is by Pete Davies, the chief executive officer at Playing Out, who writes about why play streets are vital for local councils. Play streets are a low-cost, high-impact community development offer that councils can support to create healthier, happier individuals and communities. The positive impact of play streets on children includes regular physical activity, the opportunity to make friends, and the chance to learn fun and useful skills. And last week’s blog by Danielle Scott from our partners, WorkNest, was about what to do if an employee is not meeting the required standards. First, you should identify if you are dealing with a disciplinary or performance management issue. Then you can take the appropriate approach to address the issue — do read the blog to determine the correct route. Rural Insight Forum The latest meeting of the Rural Insight Forum, which brings together a range of rural stakeholders, including NALC and convened by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), took place on 26 May 2023. Here’s a summary: Officials reported that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee published a report of their inquiry into rural mental health. The report highlights how available data on rural mental health in England is incomplete, with gaps in health data, suppressed demand for services, and under-reporting of rural deprivation. Urgent government action is needed due to concerns like COVID-19, Brexit, economic impacts, isolation, and other pressures on mental well-being in rural areas and among farmers. The report’s ten recommendations are creating a new cross-government rural mental health policy and delivery team, reviewing the Index of Multiple Deprivation, and creating a new levelling mission on young people’s mental health and well-being and youth services. The government is required to respond to the report within two months. The Rural Services Network presented the findings of their recent rural household survey. Last year, the government appointed Baroness Sanderson of Welton to help develop a new public libraries strategy. Officials gave an update on progress, including several deep dive sessions, her visits and other conversations with the sector and its partners. I’m keen to ensure the provision of libraries by local councils is not overlooked and that your voice is heard in developing this strategy. So, if you’re involved in running or supporting a library, please contact us at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk. We will follow this up directly with you, and we are also exploring holding a round table to bring councils together with government officials. Members of the forum also shared their experiences of the Rural England Prosperity Fund, where one common theme was frustration over the inconsistency of delivery by principal councils with limited external stakeholder engagement and monitoring. I’d like to hear about how this fund is being delivered in your areas and, particularly, access to the fund for local councils. Again, please get in touch at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk. Commons Levelling Up Committee report on funding Last week, the Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee published a report following its inquiry into local government funding. The report’s main finding was that the current policy aim of levelling up the country risks failure unless the government can provide the long-term substantive funding necessary to help local councils deliver economic growth for their communities. I was pleased to read that NALC’s evidence was referred to in the final report and that one of our pleas for less competitive bidding processes was supported in its recommendations. Fortnightly meeting with county officers In this week’s meeting between NALC and county officers, there was a presentation from NALC’s newest partner GoCollaborate. They demonstrated their tool for online consultations, engaging with communities, and responding to several questions. There was also an update from our head of policy and communications, Justin Griggs, on the work of NALC’s National Networks, including why they were set up, how they work, and the range of activities and issues they have been engaged with. Also, county officers discussed how they could evolve, identified potential other groups and how they have input into NALC’s work. NALC National Network: Young councillors Our next NALC National Network: Young councillors meeting is on 7 June 2023, which brings together younger councillors aged under 40 who are currently serving on a local council. The agenda for this online meeting includes a welcome to new members, a discussion on growing the network, our Star Council Awards 2023 and an open forum for councillors to learn from each other. Visit our website to learn more about our networks and how to join, and please encourage any young councillors you know to get involved. Evolution of community councils in Scotland? To mark 50 years since the creation of community councils in Scotland, a Select Committee of the Scottish parliament is looking at how they work, good practices, and making them more effective. So, I was pleased to see our colleague Jackie Weaver from the Cheshire Association of Local Councils among the panel of witnesses to give evidence to the committee on 23 May 2023. In her contributions, Jackie spoke about the strengths of the local council model and the differences to community councils, funding from the precept and other sources, the importance of support from representative bodies, effective community engagement and the challenge of getting more people involved. You can read the session in full in the Official Report. And finally… Last week we shared information about our survey on remote meetings. We are gathering information about local council meetings and the use of virtual meeting technology. This is a crucial survey that will help NALC campaign for legislative change to allow councils to use virtual meeting technologies for council meetings. I’m urging councillors and clerks to complete the form by 8 June 2023 — it should only take a few minutes, thank you!

 

 

Mid Sussex Voluntary Action Newsletter

Please follow this link to read the latest bulletin from MSVA!