If any Clerks want to join the Clerks’ eGroup, or any councillors want to join the Councillor eGroup, contact enquiries@lalc.co.uk.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
This fortnightly newsletter is provided to member councils through the clerk and should be circulated to all councillors. This eNews can also be found on the LALC website under News.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Training courses are available to book via the portal (login required)
The Training Bulletin is issued monthly, and courses are available to book via the portal. If there is any specific training which you feel would be valuable, and we don’t currently offer it, please let us know and we will investigate. The Training Bulletin can be found on the LALC website www.lalc.co.uk/training-2-1.
Clerks – when booking training for your councillors, please ensure that their email address is correct. If not, they will not receive the booking confirmation or any joining instructions.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
|
Position |
Closing date |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
No closing date |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
11th September |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
30th November |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
19th October |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
14th October |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
5th November |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
18th November |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
4th December |
|
Vacancy advertising
LALC can advertise your vacancy on our website and in the fortnightly eNews. This is a free service. If you do not have a pre-prepared advert to send us, please complete our Vacancy Template, which can be found in the Members Portal under Document Templates.
We also offer a paid advertising service, costing £60, which ensures that your advert also appears on Lincolnshire County Council’s website, Indeed and LinkedIn (in addition to the LALC website and eNews). Please complete the Vacancy Template (as above), ensuring that all requested information is completed, and then contact us at enquiries@lalc.co.uk. You will be invoiced for this service.
Please note that Lincolnshire County Council require a closing date on their advert, as well as salary information (these are mandatory fields). LCC will remove your advert once the closing date has passed, so please consider the date carefully as you will have to pay again to re-advertise if your vacancy hasn’t been filled by then.
We recommend all councils advertise their vacancy, job details, method of application and up to date contact details on their own website too.
Please let us know when the vacancy has been filled, so that we can remove it from our website/eNews. If your vacancy has not yet been filled and you are continuing to advertise, please let us know of any revised closing date. If you no longer specify a closing date, please let us know so that we can update the vacancy adverts.
The NALC Recruitment Manual (developed as part of the Civility & Respect project) is now available via the portal. Go into Knowledgebase and click on 'Recruitment Manual' in the 'Employment' menu area.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Don’t forget to book your place on
the Clerk’s Networking Day/SLCC AGM
The Clerk’s Networking Day incorporating the SLCC Lincolnshire Branch AGM is taking place on 22nd November, 10:00 – 15:30 at Cranwell Village Hall.
The morning session will be jointly run by LALC and Pam Flint (Lincolnshire Community & Voluntary Service) and will focus on:
· Mental health awareness/first aid and next steps
o Identifying, managing, and ideas for reducing stress
o Promoting good mental health in the workplace
o Self-care and resilience
o Work-life balance
o Signposting to organisations and information for help
o There will be some useful resources available to take away
o Setting personal action plans
o There will be an interactive session looking at some council-related scenarios and how you might deal with them
In the afternoon there will be:
· LALC session on Clerk & Council Training Development
o Development paths for Clerks
o Recommended development paths for councillors
o Local Council Award Scheme
· SLCC AGM (Non SLCC members can remain to network and raise any other issues they wish with LALC)
· LALC will also be asking attendees for suggestions for “An evening with….” sessions which we hope to arrange
This is also your chance to come and network with colleagues.
Places are available for £20 plus VAT and can be booked via the portal.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Project Management & Funding training to be rescheduled
Unfortunately, we will have to reschedule the Project Management & Funding training arranged for 21st November at Welbourn Village Hall, as there are insufficient places booked for this event to be viable.
We will look to reschedule this event for next year - the new date will be publicised in the Training Bulletin, eNews and on our website.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Change of date: Chairs Workshop online training
The online Chairs Workshop training originally scheduled for 5th December, 18:00 – 21:00 has now been rescheduled to 12th December, 18:00 – 21:00. This is to avoid a clash with one of the Police & Crime Commissioner Engagement sessions. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes to those already booked on.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
LCC - Flooding
A big thank you to all parish councils who helped support communities during recent flooding from Storm Babet. If your community has been impacted, the Government has announced they will be providing financial support and tax relief for flood-hit homes and businesses. More details on how to apply for this funding will be released shortly.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-support-for-flood-hit-areas
As we enter the storm season, information about preparing for, responding to and recovering from a flood can be found on the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum website here: https://www.lincolnshireresilienceforum.org/risks/river-surface-flooding/
If you need to report a problem on the highway, the best way to do that is via Fix My Street - online or via the app. Reports are triaged live by a team of officers to ensure the most urgent situations are addressed as quickly as possible.
You can also find out how to make a community plan that can be used in any emergency in your area. Many parishes already have one so they can be more resilient and have even run exercises to test them. Find out more here: https://www.lincolnshireresilienceforum.org/resilient-communities-programme/
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
New Flood Recovery Fund launched in East Lindsey to help those affected by Storm Babet
In the wake of the damage to properties in East Lindsey caused by Storm Babet, Lincolnshire Community Foundation would like to announce a new fund available to individuals and families whose home was severely impacted because of flooding. Priority will be given to those households with occupants over 70 years of age, those with young children, or those with physical, learning or mental health conditions.
Following donations from East Lindsey District Council, The Horncastle Lions and The Horncastle & District health and Wellbeing Fund, those affected can apply for small grants of up to £200 to cover costs towards cleaning, emergency repairs, heating, basic furniture and white goods and alternative accommodation costs. Wherever possible grants replace essential items that have been lost. The fund does not aim to replace like with like and cannot be a substitute for insurance, noting this is not intended for business use.
Claire Edwards Lincolnshire Community Foundation, Grants Manager for this fund:
We thank East Lindsey District Council and the Horncastle Lions for providing this funding so we can provide a small grant to those individuals (in East Lindsey) who were flooded following Storm Babet on 19th and 20th October.
Cllr Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council:
Thanks to these collaborative efforts of the Council, the Horncastle Lions and the Horncastle and District Health and Wellbeing Fund, this new fund is to aid individuals and families severely impacted by flooding. Small grants of up to £200 will be available to help replace essential lost items.
Applications can be made via the Lincolnshire Community Foundation Website http://www.lincolnshirecf.co.uk from 1st November 2023 until 30th November 2023.
If you do not have access to the website, please contact the Grants team on 01529 305825 or email claire@lincolnshirecf.co.uk
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
2023-24 National Pay Award Agreed
NALC has published a new employment briefing on the national salary pay scales for clerks and other employees employed under the terms of the model contract or Green Book terms.
The briefing includes updated pay scales in line with the 2004 NALC and the Society of Local Council Clerks national agreement for the sector. These pay rates are applicable from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Employers are encouraged to implement this pay award as swiftly as possible.
The briefing can be found on the LALC website: https://www.lalc.co.uk/njc-salary-payscales-1?#scrollTop=0
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Are you Cyber Aware?
Follow these six Cyber Aware actions, for those looking to stay secure online:
· Use a strong and separate password for your email
· Install the latest software and app updates
· Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV)
· Password managers: using browsers and apps to safely store your passwords
· Backing up your data
· Combine three random words to create a password that’s ‘long enough and strong enough’
Visit the NCSC’s website here for more details: https://tinyurl.com/bdfuswvb
Call 0300 123 2040 to report cybercrime.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
SLCC launch new Climate Action webpage
https://tinyurl.com/bdfrjt56 (No login required)
NALC climate change: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-work/climate-change
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Grants available to boost numeracy skills in 2024
Employers and community groups in Lincolnshire can apply to become a Lincolnshire Multiply Champion, accessing grants of £1000 to help to support numeracy development across the county. Administered by Lincolnshire County Council, Multiply is a government-funded programme to help adults over 19 years old to improve maths skills, which are critical to personal wellbeing and business growth. Last year 48 Champions helped the council deliver 267 courses to 1260 learners across the county.
The council is looking to award 60 grants to local businesses and community groups. These are awarded on a first come, first served basis, and could be spent by employers on piloting innovative approaches to learning maths in the workplace, or dedicating staff time to encouraging numeracy progression. Community groups may come up with ways to support their wider community in taking up Multiply courses.
Further information and instructions on how to apply can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/2m7wczr8
Our helpful staff are also available to discuss this opportunity at: multiply@lincolnshire.gov.uk
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
NALC Analysis of local council tax levels for 2023/24
NALC has unveiled its annual analysis of local precepting authorities' council tax levels, including local (parish and town) councils for the fiscal year 2023/24.
Key highlights for Lincolnshire councils are:
· Councils with Band D over £150 and a double-digit percentage increase in 2023/24:
o Bassingham PC
§ Band D tax rate: £218.44
§ Actual increase: £50.27
§ Percentage increase: 29.89%
o Spilsby TC:
§ Band D tax rate: £155.90
§ Actual increase: £17.32
§ Percentage increase: 12.50%
· Average precept increase from 2022/23 to 2023/24: +7.61% (as opposed to +5.11% from 21/22 to 22/23)
· Average Band D increase from 2022/23 to 2023/24: +6.48% (as opposed to +3.81% from 21/22 to 22/23)
· Average Band D: £70.87
· Highest overall Band D: Bassingham PC, £218.44
· Highest precepting council: North Hykeham TC, £766,061
· Total precepts collected by Lincolnshire councils: £13,948,527
Read the blog: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/news/entry/2691-nalc-reveals-analysis-of-local-council-tax-levels-for-2023-24
Analysis report: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/library/news-stories/3964-briefing-council-tax-2023/file
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
The Great Collaboration
SLCC are working with a new organisation, The Place-Based Initiative Ltd, to help develop a free advisory service for town, parish and community councils in respect of climate and environmental action.
Climate change can seem like an information jungle, with new insights and practices appearing all the time. This new initiative aims to make the jungle more navigable by:
· Gathering and organising information about the different elements and activities (much of which is already published on partners’ websites and just needs a link)
· Making information readily findable through a website, to fit council size and location, including an online map of what is happening in parishes around the country
· Supporting the development of county-based advisers who can provide a human link to local councils and their community groups
Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/335wrjvc
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Breakthrough Communications - A Christmas present for every parish and town council
Breakthrough Communication have put together a Christmas Communications Resource Pack with more than 30 easy-to-edit social media and print templates, including Christmas cards, Christmas greetings, New Year messages and office closure messages.
Download here:
https://www.breakthroughcomms.co.uk/post/a-christmas-present-for-every-parish-and-town-council
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
SLCC: 17 things clerks need to know about the government’s new Levelling up and Regeneration Bill
As of 26 October 2023, new measures have become enshrined in law after the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill received Royal Assent. Here are 17 things you should be aware of:
1. After a difficult passage through the Lords, it came into force late last month
2. A new mandatory Single Infrastructure Levy will replace Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy. The neighbourhood share, as currently occurs under the Community Infrastructure Levy, will be retained
3. It also places “a new duty on local authorities to prepare infrastructure delivery strategies to outline how they intend to spend the levy”
4. All local authorities will be required to have a design code in place covering their area
5. Gives neighbourhood plans greater weight in planning decisions
6. Includes new ‘street vote’ powers, allowing residents on a street to bring forward proposals to extend or redevelop their properties in line with their design preferences
7. Will allow parish councils and neighbourhood forums to produce a simpler ‘neighbourhood priorities statement’, which the local authority will be obliged to take into account when preparing its local plan
8. The scope of local plans will be limited to ‘locally specific’ matters, with ‘issues that apply in most areas’ to be covered by a new suite of national policies
9. Will accelerate the adoption of local plans
10. Provides local planning authorities the power to refuse planning applications where a developer has a track record of delayed build out
11. Strengthens enforcement provisions
12. Provides greater protection for heritage assets
13. Accelerates the digitisation of planning
14. Makes it easier to create single tier authorities in areas which presently have a two-tier system
15. Introduces a new discretionary council tax premium on second homes of up to 100%
16. Does not include any measure to enable local authorities to meet virtually
17. Many of its provisions apply to England only, but some to both England and Wales
Further information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-laws-to-speed-up-planning-build-homes-and-level-up
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Are you weather ready?
The Met Office has recently launched its WeatherReady winter campaign, which focuses on weather challenges and tips for the public. Local councils can find a full range of resources in the Met Office's online partner toolkit, including top tips in seven languages, social media posts, email signatures and printable posters.
Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/3rr5am7d
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Have your say on the future of policing in Lincolnshire
A message from Marc Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire
“As the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire I place great emphasis on my responsibility to ensure residents voices are heard, “Funding for Lincolnshire Police is still one of the lowest in the UK and that means we must spend every penny, not only wisely, but dedicated to the issues communities care most about. I take the results extremely seriously and base the proposed Council Tax increases and the priority for spending on the views expressed in this survey so I hope as many people as possible take the few minutes necessary to complete the survey. I want everyone to play an important part in the decisions affecting every local resident and business in Lincolnshire.”
Click here: bit.ly/annualpccsurvey