Newsletter 11/09
11 September 2023
Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.
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Chief Executive’s Bulletin
7 September 2023
Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments appoints new chief executive
I am pleased to report that the Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA) board has announced the appointment of its new chief executive, Annie Child, to support its development plans over the next few years. Annie will join SAAA this month after nearly 19 years in various local government roles, including the last five years as clerk to Salisbury City Council. I’m delighted with the news and look forward to working closely with her and the board to improve accountability and governance in the smaller authority sector. I am sure you will want to join me in thanking her predecessor, Howard Midworth, for all his work setting up the new company and system.
NALC partners with De Montfort University to conduct a local election survey
We’ve partnered with the De Montfort University (DMU) Local Governance Research Centre to open a survey for local (parish and town) councils and county associations on the 2023 local elections to understand better and improve the dynamics of local council elections. The research aims to gather insights into the complexities of local elections, ultimately enhancing support mechanisms for their smooth execution and reducing the necessity of co-option. I’d urge local councils and county associations directly involved in the 4 May 2023 elections to complete the survey.
Model Financial Regulations consultation free events
As part of the consultations to inform an update to our Model Financial Regulations, we will hold two free events next month. Taking place on 2 October 2023 at midday and 12 October 2023 at 6.30 pm. The events will provide an opportunity to speak directly with Steve Parkinson from The Parkinson Partnership LLP, who is working with us to update this essential document for our members. If you want to raise issues outside what is asked in our online survey or prefer a conversation to providing written feedback, then this is your opportunity to engage with this review in a way that works best for you.
NALC National Network: Young councillors
NALC’s young councillors network met on 31 August 2023. The network proposed appointing co-chairs to help lead, shape and run network meetings. This will be discussed further and finalised at their next meeting, and we will provide further updates when they are available. The network also discussed support for young councillors and the benefit of a simplified guide for new young councillors to help them through their time in office, especially the first few weeks and months. They also agreed to conduct a survey of young councillors which will include getting more feedback on the network and its work over the next few years. We’ll be circulating the survey soon so do keep an eye out! The network will also be trialling an extra meeting in the coming weeks but in the evening rather than at lunchtime, the date is to be confirmed shortly, and the next scheduled meeting is on 8 November 2023. Learn more about the network and how to join!
Finance and Scrutiny Committee
NALC’s Finance and Scrutiny Committee met on 5 September 2023 and welcomed Cllr Mike Scott (Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils) as a new member. The committee was joined by Stephen Sampson from our auditors Milton Avis to present the audited accounts for the year to 31 March 2023, which were approved subject to some final presentation changes. The Committee also agreed to recommend for further consideration, including by our national assembly and AGM, an increase in affiliation fees for 2024/25 to 7.94 pence per elector, capped at £2037 for larger councils. Other matters noted included the latest management accounts which were on track with budget and councillors also discussed their developing scrutiny role.
Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance
The Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) met on 4 September 2023 to agree its plans for updating the Practitioners Guide’ for the 2024/25 financial year. The meeting also considered proposals from our partners, the Internal Audit Forum, on changes to guidance to maximise the potential of internal audit to support councils’ governance and transparency. JPAG also considered how it might enhance its capacity to support accountability and governance amongst smaller authorities and has committed to developing a business proposal over the coming months. You can find out more about the work of JPAG on our website.
On the blog: Royal British Legion
This week’s blog is by Luke Lancaster from the Royal British Legion (RBL), who writes about their recently launched Councillor Network which aims to enhance the support they provide to those who serve in local government. Joining the RBL’s Councillor Network is the best way of staying informed about issues facing the Armed Forces community and all elected representatives from all levels of local government are welcome to sign up! Read the blog to find out more, and email councillornetwork@britishlegion.org.uk to learn more about the network.
Meeting with the Society of Local Council Clerks
I was pleased to meet with Rob Smith, chief executive of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), on 5 September 2023 in London, where we also brought together several colleagues from our two organisations. The get-together was an excellent opportunity for colleagues to meet face to face, some for the first time given our locations in London and Taunton, coupled with much of our communication since the pandemic has been conducted online. It was good to catch up on the challenges we face as membership bodies and discuss how we can collaborate more closely to deliver the shared ambitions of our memorandum of understanding. Specific issues covered included our work on climate change, holding joint regional events involving county associations and the SLCC branches, getting input from SLCC on the review of our risk register, and discussing principles to underpin our approach to securing funding for sector support on areas such as audit and Martyn’s Law.
Morecambe Town Council Corporate Peer Challenge report published!
We, alongside the Local Government Association (LGA), have published Morecambe Town Council’s Corporate Peer Challenge report. The report outlines key recommendations, a summary of the peer challenge approach, feedback, priorities and outcomes, organisational and place leadership, governance and culture, financial planning and management, capacity to improve, and the next steps. The Corporate Peer Challenge is part of our partnership with the LGA and improvement work with local councils. We are also seeking super councils (local councils with an annual precept of over £1m or an annual turnover of over £1.5m) interested in taking part in the Corporate Peer Challenge. To submit your interest, please contact NALC at anders.hanson@nalc.gov.uk.
Fortnightly county officers call
In this week’s meeting between NALC and county officers, we discussed the problem of buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), how this may affect the sector and any queries received by county associations so far. There were also several updates on the work of the Improvement and Development Board and the appointment of its new chair and the recent meetings of the Finance and Scrutiny Committee and JPAG. Following the previous meeting, there was more information on handling some of the requirements banks are making on local councils.
Planning guides survey
A quick reminder that we’re still collecting feedback on several planning guides. We are working with the Campaign to Protect Rural England to update Planning Explained, How to Respond to Planning Applications, and How to Shape Where You Live: A Guide to Neighbourhood Planning. These guides provide easy-to-use planning advice to our members, networks and the general public. We’re in the early stages of preparing to update all three guides to better reflect the current legislative and cultural climate. To help us, we’d welcome your feedback on the existing guides, so please complete the short survey. If you have any queries or additional comments, please contact the CPRE planning team at planning@cpre.org.uk or NALC at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk.
And finally…
Our long-term partners, BHIB Council Insurance, have changed their name to Clear Councils Insurance following the merger into their parent company, The Clear Group, with effect from 1 September 2023. Over the past five years, NALC has worked closely with our partners and witnessed first-hand their dedication to the sector. Their proactive engagement with local councils, county associations and stakeholders shows their desire to understand the needs of communities genuinely. Their commitment to the sector and working closely with NALC and county associations will go from strength to strength and can help make a lasting impact on the sector.