NALC Empowering Communities conference 

It was great to hold our Empowering Communities conference at the start of this week on 7 November, albeit impacted by the rail strike (then called off at the last minute!) which resulted in us pivoting from a hybrid event to online only. Thank you to the 200 or so colleagues that joined us comprising councillors, clerks, county association staff, our sponsors BHIB Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination and CCLA and other supporting organisations, and some media outlets. It really was a packed programme of 18 speakers, covering some really important issues such as building dementia friendly communities, housing, climate change, resilience and civility and respect. Do check out NALC’s Twitter @nalc for highlights throughout the event. And I was particularly pleased the new minister for local government, Lee Rowley MP, gave his first very speech in the role at our event – you can read more here including the full transcript of his speech. The local government magazine LGC also ran a story on his speech which you can read here (login required). It was also good to hear from the shadow local government minister, Alex Norris MP, who was equally full of praise for the sector which does “extraordinary work, day in and day out for your communities. I think that was a real proof of the importance of a hyperlocal model”. I also wanted to share a few highlights from the closing remarks by NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, who said: 

• It was good to hear recognition of the importance of local (parish and town) councils from the minister and shadow minister, but we need to hold their feet to the fire to get the policies we need, from powers to funding to support and more. 

• He urged more councils to step up to take action on the big issues facing our country to ensure our sector remains relevant and make sure local MPs know about their great work. 

• He encouraged councils to get involved in the Civility and Respect Project, sign the Pledge, adopt the policies, and go on the training. 

• Areas with elections next year must redouble efforts to get people to stand, promote the difference local councils can make, in coming weeks put May’s elections on the agenda, ensuring election costs are in the budget and they have a plan to encourage people to stand and make use of NALC’s Make A Change campaign resources. 

• He never ceases to be amazed by what our councils can achieve, what our sector can achieve, when we work together – councils, clerks and councillors, and NALC, Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), county associations and others, including our partners. 

NALC's latest peer challenge takes place at Cirencester Town Council 

Last week, I was delighted to participate in the latest joint NALC and Local Government Association two-day peer challenge at Cirencester Town Council. I’d like to thank the town council for inviting us as it was a privilege to hear about their outstanding work. I was part of a review team that looked at what worked well, where the council could do better, how effectively it responded to local needs, and we then fed back thoughts on its future strategy development. We were impressed by the council's ambition, evident through achieving the Quality Gold Award accreditation in the Local Council Award Scheme, its work on health and well-being, and tackling loneliness and climate change. Other highlights included revitalising the market square to strengthen Cirencester's position as a market town and securing volunteer support for the local information centre, which received 16,000 visitors by the end of September. 

NALC National Network: Young Councillors 

The NALC National Network: Young Councillors held their latest online meeting on 9 November. Topics and issues discussed included the White Ribbon campaign and how to get involved in helping NALC support White Ribbon Day on 25 November, continuing to use the WhatsApp group to provide mutual support but also for updates on NALC’s work, how councils were responding to the cost of living crisis and supporting their community such as though grants to local groups and food banks and providing ‘warm rooms, local elections in May 2023 and NALC’s Make A Change campaign, and ideas for future agenda items and speakers. 

NALC Policy Committee 

NALC’s Policy Committee held an additional, informal meeting on 9 November. Since their last meeting, the Committee had been undertaking more work on a policy motion from the Devon Association of Local Councils on speed limits on single-track roads. They have now agreed to adopt an informal policy on lobbying government to make it mandatory for traffic authorities to consult local councils when amending or maintaining speed limits in their areas. The Committee also had an in depth consideration of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee inquiry into levelling up funding which NALC will be responding to by 18 November 2022. 

Out and abouts 

This week Anders Hanson, member services manager, attended the Locality Convention in Sheffield. The event brought together around 400 people from charities and community organisations across the country. The agenda included an opportunity to hear from policymakers, receive training, and listen to inspiring stories from people making a difference in their communities. Locality is currently highlighting the We’re Right Here campaign for a new Community Power Act and the value of ‘co-production’ where service users and community organisations are as much a part of designing and managing local policies and services as councils and government are. 

SAAA recruitment for new independent board members 

The Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments (SAAA) are recruiting new independent board members. SAAA was set up by NALC to procure external audit for the sector and has to date successfully run two procurement rounds to provide external audit for all local councils which has saved many millions of pounds. This is an exciting opportunity to work on the next phase of the development of SAAA and play a role in the improvement of the capacity and reputation of local councils, drainage boards and other smaller authorities, and influencing the future of audit. And this is around the 80th job advert advertised by NALC this year! You can find out how to advertise your vacancies here. 

Kings Coronation Bank Holiday 

The Prime Minister has proclaimed an additional bank holiday across the United Kingdom to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III next year. The bank holiday will fall on Monday 8 May 2023, following the Coronation on Saturday 6 May 2023. In line with the bank holiday to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, this will be an opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate. I know that many local councils will already be planning events and activities to mark this historic occasion. As the bank holiday falls just after local elections on 4 May affecting around 6,000 local councils, further guidance on the notice periods for first meetings will be provided in December’s legal bulletin for county associations. 

Boundary Commission for England final consultation  

The Boundary Commission for England has opened a final consultation on proposed new constituency boundaries as part of the 2023 Boundary Review. The commission is required by Parliament to undertake an independent and impartial review of all constituencies in England, to rebalance the number of electors in each constituency. The 2023 Boundary Review also requires that the number of constituencies in England increases from 533 to 543. Residents and communities can respond to the consultation by visiting bcereviews.org.uk by 5 December. You can read more in our news story here. 

NALC National Network: Climate emergency 

The NALC National Network: Climate emergency met on 27 October, here are a few highlights: 

• Andrew Maliphant provided an update on a funding for climate action note which had been circulated to the Network containing a potential list of funding sources for local councils; ongoing work to develop funding and good practice templates was also supported. 

• It was agreed that the WhatsApp group still provides a useful forum for the network to communicate between meetings. 

• The first draft of a local climate action plan template was endorsed, when this is finalised it will be made available on the Community Works website and the NALC dedicated climate change web page. 

• Updates were also received on the Cumbria Green Space to Grow project and South Gloucestershire Local Nature Action Plans. 

• Cllr Ed Gemmell from Hazlemere Parish Council and Scientists Warning Europe will be securing some scientist speakers for the first few network sessions of 2023. 

Rural Coalition letter to the prime minister 

NALC is a member of the Rural Coalition which has written to the new prime minister, Rishi Sunak MP, to highlight the role that rural communities can play in contributing to the country’s future success. The letter sets out some key actions which are fundamental to enabling real and positive growth and social change in rural England. You can read the letter here. 

New Civility and Respect Project guides   

The Civility and Respect Project has published two new guides on recruitment and roles and responsibilities, both of which are approved and endorsed by NALC and SLCC. 

And finally... 

Thank you for playing your part in marking Remembrance Day today and at the weekend. I know many local councils are involved in ceremonies and memorial services at war memorials, cenotaphs, and churches throughout the country to remember all those who have died in wars around the world.  

Jonathan Owen