News

March 2024

Newsletter12/03/2024

12 March 2024

Planning

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Network Rail Southern Region Newsletter

MSDC Town & Parish Meeting

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NALC News

Chief executive’s bulletin

29 February 2024

NALC chair’s meeting with local government minister

Last week, NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, had an introductory meeting with the new local government minister, Simon Hoare MP. Keith was struck by the minister’s genuine appreciation and support for the part our local (parish and town) councils play in local government to improve communities. The minister, who has previously been a parish councillor, set out his desire to work closely with NALC on the wide range of issues facing the sector and agreed to speak at some of our meetings and events. Keith took the opportunity to brief the minister on his open letter and priorities for the next two years, in particular highlighting standards in public life and our work through the Civility and Respect Project. Since the minister took up his role at the end of last year, both Keith and our president, Baroness Scott of Needham Market, have been lobbying him to take a fresh look at the government’s approach to ethical standards in local government. The minister confirmed he had heard loud and clear our concerns and case to strengthen the regime and was actively considering this further. Keith also pressed the minister to look at remote meetings, outlining the numerous benefits this would bring to local democracy. The minister supported the principle of councils having the flexibility to hold meetings remotely but that some meetings should still be held in person, confirming this was another issue he was looking at. Other issues discussed included the Office for Local Government, local audit, local government finance, sector support and following NALC’s representations work underway by the government on parish polls, community governance reviews and dependent’s carers allowances for councillors.

Preventing harassment and bullying in the workplace conference 

Standards in public life and safety for public figures has been top of the political agenda again over the last week. I was pleased to join colleagues from the public and private sectors at a Westminster Insight event on preventing harassment and bullying in the workplace where I spoke about our work with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) to promote civility and respect, including the resources available to promote training, good governance and our civility pledge (now signed by 1435 councils). My key takeaways from the event were the importance of inclusive leadership, early intervention and calling out micro-aggressions. I was also struck by the contribution from Tina Chander, head of employment law at Wright Hassall, who concluded from a representative survey of 2000 people that “what was clear is that workplace bullying and/or harassment are currently significant workplace issues in businesses of all industries and sizes.” It was also good to note that many businesses and sectors are working hard to address this problem.

NALC National Networks: Coastal communities

NALC’s coastal communities network held its latest online meeting on 27 February 2024. Luke Homes-Douglas, from The Crown Estate, delivered a riveting presentation on his contribution to The Crown Estate’s emerging Marine Litter Strategy (MLS) for England. Luke shared his Coastline Running Initiative, where he actively collects shoreline plastic in collaboration with councils, schools, and local organisations. The network was also joined by Paul Johnson, from Natural England who gave a fascinating presentation on King Charles III England Coast Path and provided insights into coastal access and private beaches. Colleagues also discussed the results of our survey launched in November which is aimed at shaping the network’s meetings for the next two years. It was good the survey showed 80% of respondents enjoy the network sessions and find the topics interesting, informative, and relevant! The network’s next meeting is on 23 May 2024, so if you’re a local council in a coastal area or are interested in coastal issues and want to connect with your colleagues, please do sign up.

On the blog: British Heart Foundation 

This week’s blog is by Clive Rowlandson, marketing manager at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), discusses BHF’s mission to triple survival rates from out of hospital cardiac arrests by 2030. They aim to do this through two main campaigns: increasing defibrillator installations and training more people in CPR. To support defibrillator installation, a special offer on Defibrillator bundles is available for local town and parish councils and non-profits. To qualify, councils must commit to accessibility, provide suitable locations, and register on The Circuit – a national defibrillator network. The blog emphasises the importance of registering defibrillators on The Circuit to ensure quick access during emergencies, reducing response time. CPR training is also crucial, and the BHF offers a free online tool called RevivR, requiring only a mobile phone and a cushion to teach CPR skills in just 15 minutes. Please read the blog to find out more.

NALC National Network: Super Councils

NALC’s National Network for Super Councils met online on 14 February 2024, chaired by the network’s co-chair, Cllr Mike Drew. Here are a few highlights:

  • Natalie Turner, deputy director, and Charlotte Lewis, network manager, from the Centre for Ageing Better (CFAB), gave an informative presentation on how local councils can work better to create age-friendly communities in their areas. They spoke about CFAB’s drive to encourage more towns to become age friendly and were keen for the network to play its part by getting involved and inspiring more councils to take an age friendly approach. Town councils that had adopted the approach were invited to share examples of the kinds of age-friendly activities they were undertaking by e-mailing charlotte.lewis@ageing-better.org.uk.
  • Anders Hanson, member services manager, provided an update on the NALC/Local Government Association (LGA) corporate peer challenge programme for larger councils and invited councillors and clerks to get participate as peers, outlining that training would be provided. Larger councils interested in putting themselves forward for the peer challenge programme or joining a review team as a peer should email Anders.Hanson@nalc.gov.uk.
  • Sevenoaks Town Council introduced an item on the sharing of contact details following local council elections. They outlined how when a candidate runs for election to a local council, the principal authority collects their contact details. However, after being elected, some principal authorities do not share these details with the clerk, making it difficult for them to issue a summons for the councillor to attend their first meeting. Data protection rules was cited as a reason for not sharing contact details with clerks, although most clerks had a legitimate interest in the data. It was agreed NALC would take this issue up with the Electoral Commission and Association of Electoral Administrators and propose a new tick box be added to the nomination form, specifying candidate consent for personal details to be passed to the relevant local council upon election.

Out and abouts

Charlotte Eisenhart, head of member services, joined county officers from across the South West of England on 21 February at their annual away day. They discussed the various national improvement initiatives, including the Local Council Award Scheme, and undertook a review of key areas of risk and opportunities facing NALC and county associations. It was a positive and productive discussion and a great opportunity to meet in person and build stronger relationships between our organisations. And this week, Charlotte chaired the Women in Local Government Conference organised by Dods Events. The event was attended by women from across the local government sector who wanted to think about how to address the barriers affecting women’s progression and developing careers in times of change.

Housebuilding market study published 

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published the final report for the housebuilding market study on 26 February 2024. The report covers their findings, concerns identified, and an assessment of potential interventions to address them. A key finding is that the complex and unpredictable planning system and the limitations of speculative private development are responsible for the persistent under delivery of new homes. The study also found concerns about estate management charges, where homeowners often encounter high and unclear fees for managing facilities such as roads, drainage, and green spaces – echoing concerns previously highlighted by NALC to the CMA last year. The study also revealed apprehensions regarding the quality of some new housing. Recommendations include requiring councils to adopt amenities on all new housing estates, introducing enhanced consumer protections for homeowners on existing privately managed estates, and establishing a New Homes Ombudsman as soon as possible and setting a single mandatory consumer code so homeowners can better pursue homebuilders over any quality issues they face.

Commonwealth Day 2024 

This year, Commonwealth Day is being celebrated on 11 March 2024, marking the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth and designated as the Commonwealth Year of Youth. On this day, the Union Flag must be flown on UK government department buildings. Additionally, if there is a second flagpole available, UK government departments are encouraged to fly the Commonwealth Flag, if they have one. Many councils and other local organisations will have their own policy on the flying of flags, and they might choose to adopt similar practices. If you plan to fly the Commonwealth Day flag on 11 March, feel free to share a photo on your social media platforms and tag @UKinCW on X/Twitter. For more information, check out the government’s Union Flag flying guidance for UK government buildings.

Welsh National Training Advisory Group meeting

Last week, NALC’s member services manager, Anders Hanson, attended the latest meeting of the Welsh National Training Advisory Group which comprises One Voice Wales, Welsh Government, Welsh Local Government Association, SLCC and NALC. The meeting considered the retention and recruitment of clerks, training reports from the organisations in attendance, and a discussion on new environmental and digital training courses being provided in Wales.

And finally…  

I’m proud to announce the successful renewal of our Cyber Essentials certification for the second consecutive year. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding members’ data and business operations against evolving cyber threats. You can read more in our news story.

NALC EVENTS

If any Councillors or Staff wish to attend any of these events, please do go through Kirstie to book so that the clerk can check on training budgets. Thank you.

Reconnecting communities through community transport

27 March 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15

The provision of community transport has become an increasingly important issue for local (parish and town) councils in recent years. With limited public transport options available in many areas, local councils must step up and support low-cost and sustainable community transport schemes to ensure their communities are connected and can access essential services.

Join us at this event, where we will showcase successful community transport programmes that local councils have implemented. We will also provide details into the national stakeholder scene and how local councils can collaborate with other organisations to improve transport options in their area.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the benefits of community transport, how to establish partnerships and funding opportunities, and how your local council can make a difference in reconnecting your community through transport.

Speakers: Will Austin (Bridport Town Council), Cllr Hugh King (Dereham Town Council), Caroline Pearce (Bridport Town Council) and Caroline Whitney (Community Transport Association)

 

Unleashing the power of local councils to tackle the climate emergency

26 June 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15

Empower your local council to force change in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. Despite their potential, many smaller councils feel shackled by a lack of funding and disempowered in making a tangible impact. It’s time to change that narrative.

Take advantage of this dynamic event that goes beyond rhetoric. Witness first-hand examples of impactful initiatives from around the country through the eyes of a national stakeholder championing climate action, a representative from a government department steering this crucial agenda, and a case study featuring a council that has successfully risen to the challenge.

This is not just another event – it’s a call to action! Walk away with practical, actionable insights your council can implement to make a real change. The fight against climate change starts at the grassroots level, and your council can be a driving force. Seize this opportunity to transform your council into a catalyst for positive environmental change. Together, let’s make a lasting impact on our planet’s future.

 

Decoding the future of artificial intelligence in local governance

24 July 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15

Dive into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore the realm of predictive analytics in local council settings. While our initial thoughts about AI might drift towards Hal from 2001: A Space Odyssey, the current focus is on predictive analytics and harnessing historical data to forecast new instances or cases.

In the realm of local government, predictive analytics is emerging as a game-changer, although its widespread adoption is still in its infancy. This session will take you beyond the surface, examining sophisticated examples of predictive analytics in various local public services. While some organisations have embraced this cutting-edge technology, most of the sector is just beginning to explore the opportunities and risks it presents.

Hear directly from experts who have conducted a groundbreaking report for the Local Government Association on AI in local government, a principal authority utilising assistive technology, and a communications stakeholder in the sector. Gain valuable insights into how predictive analytics could shape the future of local councils and grapple with the broader moral dilemma presented by AI.

 

The future of neighbourhood plans

25 September 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15

Despite the government dragging its feet on supporting funding for neighbourhood planning, the confirmation eventually came through, solidifying its commitment to neighbourhood planning. In this area, local (parish and town) councils shine.

This event aims to re-evaluate the continued significance of neighbourhood planning and make a case for its sustenance in the upcoming parliament, regardless of the government’s composition. The focus is bridging the interest gap between developers, local councils, and local planning authorities.

Rediscover the passion for launching and shaping a neighbourhood plan in your area and access indispensable tips, guidance, and advice necessary to embark on this pivotal undertaking.

CAGNE – Gatwick Airport New Runway Update

CAGNE Town and Parish Council forum

Gatcom News

Gatcom News Bulletin

Gatcom Minutes

Citizens Advice – Monthly Bulletin

Citizens Advice News

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner News

NHS Sussex Survey

We are in the final week of hearing from local people about their confidence and satisfaction in the NHS and where we can improve. As well as going out to local communities, we have designed a survey to ensure that you can have your say.

Click on the following link: Let’s Talk About Your Experiences of Health and Care in Sussex 2024 | Sussex Health and Care Your Say (engagementhq.com)

The survey will take 20-25 minutes to complete, and the closing date will be Sunday 10th March. You can also find out more about how previous feedback has led to change.

We want you to feel confident sharing honest and authentic feedback so our survey will be completely anonymous. It is available in easy read and alternative languages by contacting sxicb.involvement@nhs.net

Thank you in advance for your time in supporting your local NHS.

West Sussex County Council seeks help from local residents to combat flooding

West Sussex County Council is encouraging all householders and landowners, particularly those in more rural areas, to check if they have a responsibility to keep local watercourses free flowing and to help prevent vulnerable areas of the county from flooding.

If a watercourse, ditch, stream, river or culvert runs adjacent to, through or under your land or property (even if it does not fall within your property boundary as set out by your Title Deeds) then you are likely to be what is known as a “riparian owner”. In short, you are responsible for the maintenance of the watercourse to ensure that water is able to flow freely into and along it, so that it doesn’t pose a flood risk.

The legal responsibilities of a riparian owner are to:

  • ensure the flow of water is not obstructed or polluted
  • maintain the bottom and sides of the watercourse (including managing any trees and vegetation growing on the banks)
  • remove any obstructions, such as rubbish, fallen branches or garden waste
  • maintain any structures (such as rubbish screens, culverts, weirs and mill gates).

You are more likely to have a responsibility if you live in a rural area due to there not being as widespread a drainage system as in urban areas, particularly alongside roads. Rural roads are especially affected when groundwater levels are high and surface water runs off neighbouring land and property onto them. It is essential that roadside ditches in these areas are kept clear for the water to flow into before it reaches the road and causes surface flooding or even damages the road surface.

Cllr Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council, said: “Over the last five months we have seen a year’s worth of rainfall. You will have noticed that this has resulted in sustained high levels of groundwater, increased debris in the drainage systems causing blockages, and large amounts of surface water runoff, causing flooding across the county.

“Our Highways team has been busy responding to numerous incidents of flooding. We continue to manage over 140,000 gullies and routinely clear other drainage assets, including our ditches. However, whilst we are working as hard as we can to keep the water network free flowing to reduce flooding, we do not have responsibility for all of the drains and watercourses within West Sussex. For example, we’re only responsible for around 10% of the county’s ditches.

“Residents can play such an important role in combatting flooding by maintaining the drainage assets they’re responsible for, but we’re not expecting them to spend a lot of time or money; simply spending half an hour each month clearing debris and removing any blockages to allow water to flow freely is usually more than sufficient and will really make a difference.

“Well maintained watercourses can significantly benefit our communities by not only reducing flood risk but by also creating great habitats for our wildlife.”

To further help reduce flooding incidents across the network, we plan to deliver £1.9m of drainage works this year. We have also doubled our number of jetting vehicles in response to extreme weather and have four vehicles available to attend affected sites to clear flooding or investigate issues.

Our drainage gangs continue to work proactively to clear gullies and a ditch clearance programme is operating at sites identified as having an impact on the highway.

We also have approximately £500,000 of small-scale drainage schemes on schedule to be delivered by the end of this month.

To find out more about the responsibilities of a riparian owner and our flood prevention works take a look at our FAQ document:  Riparian Ownership: Frequently Asked Questions .

Road Closure- Carriageway Patching – A264 Holtye Road, East Grinstead – 21 March 2024

Please be advised that A264 Holtye Road, East Grinstead is due to be closed for Carriageway patching works from 21/03/2024 to 23/03/2024 between 20:00 – 06:00.

Please note that these works are weather dependant and may be cancelled at short notice, but we will endeavour to inform you should there be significant changes to the programme. This road closure is covered by the 14.1 order made on 11th January 2022.

Road Name Location Date (from and to) Time of works
 

A264 Holtye Road

 

East Grinstead

 

21/03/2024 – 23/03/2024

 

 

20:00 – 06:00

Further information can also be found via one.network

MSVA E-Bulletin

MSVA E-Bulletin 7 March 2024