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.
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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.
Position | Closing date | |
Clerk/RFO | No closing date | |
Clerk/RFO | 30th July | |
Clerk/RFO | 31st July | |
Clerk/RFO | 15th September | |
Clerk/RFO | 12th September | |
Clerk/RFO | 11th September | |
Clerk/RFO | 15th September | |
Clerk/RFO | No closing date | |
Clerk/RFO | 30th September | |
Clerk/RFO | 19th October |
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Finance Workbook Demo – 10th October at 10:30 (via Zoom)
This Excel-based Finance Workbook is being offered by LALC and has been designed for smaller councils who perhaps don’t use one of the proprietary packages such as Scribe or Rialtas. It brings all key financial information together in one place, including assets, payments, receipts and budget. Simple but effective reports can be generated for councillors at the push of a button and the annual return (AGAR) is automatically calculated.
The demo is FREE to attend, regardless of whether you are an ATS member or not.
Please book your place via the portal.
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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.
Topics for the day include:
• LALC workshop on the effects of mental health and stress in the workplace
• Presentation/workshop from Pam Flint (Lincolnshire Community & Voluntary Service) on mental health awareness/first aid and next steps
• Further session TBC
• LALC session on Clerk & Council Training Development
• SLCC AGM (Non SLCC members can remain to network and raise any other issues they wish with LALC)
The detailed agenda for the day will be published soon. Places are available for £20 plus VAT and can be booked via the portal.
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NALC pushes hedgerow protection role
NALC has urged the government to simplify the rules to protect hedgerows and give local (parish and town) councils a more significant role.
Responding this week to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consultation on hedgerow protection, NALC argued that the current Hedgerow Regulations 1997 should be simplified to make them easier to understand, more widely applied and give communities represented by local councils a more significant say in hedgerow protection in their areas.
NALC also supported that local councils are consulted before hedgerows are removed and that the government should prioritise hedgerow protection like trees. Hedgerows have a crucial role in the ecosystem of water and carbon absorption.
Read the full response:
https://www.nalc.gov.uk/library/news-stories/3937-pr9-23-hedgerows-september-2023-1/file
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Pension saving boost for millions receives Royal Assent
• A Private Members’ Bill to help millions save more into their pension and start saving sooner has cleared Parliament and been granted Royal Assent.
• The Bill introduces powers to reduce the age for being automatically enrolled and enable pension saving from the first pound earned.
• Since its introduction in 2012, Automatic Enrolment has transformed UK pension saving, with nearly 11 million people enrolled.
Millions of people, including low earners and younger workers, will be helped to save more into their pension and look after their financial futures as a Private Members’ Bill completed its passage through Parliament and received Royal Assent.
The Bill, introduced in the House of Commons by Jonathan Gullis MP and taken through the House of Lords by Baroness Altmann, creates powers to scrap the lower earnings limit and reduce the age for Automatic Enrolment, the landmark pensions policy which sees eligible employees made members of their workplace pension scheme without needing to ask.
The changes to Automatic Enrolment, combined with the Mansion House Reforms announced by the Chancellor in July, could see the average earner’s pension increase by nearly 50% if saving across their entire career, while a minimum wage earner could see their pension pot increase by over 85%.
Benefitting savers and society – the reforms will unlock investment into pioneering UK businesses, grow the economy, and help the record number of people saving into a pension to achieve the retirement they want.
Before the introduction of Automatic Enrolment in 2012, just 55% of eligible employees saved into a workplace pension. By 2021 this had risen to 88%, with an additional £33 billion saved in real terms in 2021 compared to 2012.
Automatic Enrolment has particularly benefitted women, young people and lower earners – once poorly served or excluded from workplace pensions. The proportion of eligible women in a workplace pension has increased from 59% in 2012 to 89% in 2021, while the proportion of eligible 22 to 29-year-olds has more than doubled - from 35% in 2012 to 86% in 2021.
Pensions saving rates have increased in all corners of the country.
Lowering the age at which eligible workers must be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme by their employers from 22 to 18 will make saving the norm for young adults and enable them to begin to save from the start of their working lives.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will launch a consultation on implementing the new measures.
Read the full article:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pension-saving-boost-for-millions-receives-royal-assent
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ICCM Management of Memorials – Inspection training in Lincolnshire
ICCM have arranged Management of Memorials Inspection training for 25th April 2024 in Ruskington. This training is being put on by ICCM and must be booked direct with them (it cannot be booked via LALC):
The cost is £150 plus VAT for ICCM members and £180 plus VAT for non-ICCM members.
ICCM have confirmed they are happy for LALC to publicise this course.
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BBC News: Thornton le Dale: Rowing parish council elects fresh members
A North Yorkshire parish council which suspended all activity after a raft of resignations has elected a fresh group of officials. Five new members have been selected to sit on Thornton le Dale Parish Council.
The authority was disbanded in July after a "tempestuous" meeting resulted in a mass walk out. The July meeting, which was compared to the infamous Handforth Parish Council meeting that made Jackie Weaver a household name, was aborted after eight minutes following an angry exchange over whether a vote to dissolve the council should be honoured.
Read the full story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-66894905
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NALC Blog: Foundation Award — Starting the journey
Author: Joanne Riddle, town clerk at Bingham Town Council
After a challenging period of time for the council, the Local Council’s Award Scheme was considered as a positive way to provide residents reassurance that the council were not only meeting their responsibilities, but they were exceeding them and were striving to constantly improve. Staff know that the council meet the legal requirements expected of them and that they take their scrutiny role seriously, but after a negative time it can be difficult to change that view with the community.
The Local Council’s Award Scheme gave the council the opportunity to start that process of building back the council’s reputation. Having an independent panel from an outside organisation endorse the Award, is of great benefit to show that the council is recognised for its achievements and commitment to good governance. Starting at the Foundation Award level gives an opportunity to make sure that each stage is achieved to the highest standard. As the local elections have now taken place, the next term of office will have the opportunity to build on the Foundation success and work towards the Quality Award.
Read the full blog: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/news/entry/2633-foundation-award-%E2%80%94-starting-the-journey
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Troubled Waters: Tackling The Crisis On England’s Coast
A new research report published by think tank Onward uncovers the challenges facing coastal communities. The report urges the government to commit to levelling up England’s struggling seaside towns or risk a political tidal wave at the next general election. It highlights that communities set within 5km of England’s coast are poorer, sicker and more crime-ridden than their inland neighbours and calls for a £500m regeneration package.
NALC have invited Onward to speak about the report at the meeting of the NALC National Network: Coastal Communities taking place on Tuesday 26 September.
Read the report here: https://tinyurl.com/bddhesu4
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Nature in Lincolnshire: what matters most to you?
Share your thoughts on nature in Greater Lincolnshire to help shape a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the area.
England is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. To help combat this, the Government introduced Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) which will look for opportunities to help recover nature and increase the benefits it provides, bringing together local partners to shape and deliver the strategy.
The strategy will identify the best existing areas for nature in Greater Lincolnshire; create achievable priorities for recovering nature; and map the best areas to create and restore habitats that can provide additional benefits, such as natural flood protection and improved air quality.
Involving local people, businesses and organisations is needed to create a deliverable strategy for Greater Lincolnshire. Although landowners, farmers, local authorities and environmental groups will be key in delivering the strategy on the ground, we need to understand what is important to people locally to help inform our priorities for nature recovery.
Tell us your thoughts about Lincolnshire’s natural environment now at:
www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/local-nature-recovery-strategy
Lincolnshire County Council is working with North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership to produce the strategy for the region.
We can all play a part in turning the strategy’s goals into reality and improve our natural environment for wildlife and people.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive member for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said:
“Putting together a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Lincolnshire will help to identify suitable locations for nature recovery activities in the future, and in turn, tap into funding for these activities that will help deliver the strategy’s goals.
“At this early stage, we want to hear from everyone – residents, visitors, landowners, farmers, partner agencies and more – to hear what people love about Lincolnshire’s natural environment and species, so we can set the priorities for enhancing it and start forming an initial strategy.”
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for environment at North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“Nature is important to each and every one of us and it is vital we do all we can to preserve and enhance it.
“By filling in this quick survey and letting us know what habitats and species you consider important and what should be done to protect them, we can build up a comprehensive strategy for the whole of Lincolnshire and protect our beautiful environment for generations to come.”
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said:
“From our internationally important coastline to the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds, Greater Lincolnshire is home to precious natural landscapes and an abundance of wildlife.
“We’re taking a strategic approach with our partners across the county to develop an ambitious plan that not only protects nature, but also enriches it for generations to come.
“We want everyone to gain from the economic, health and environmental benefits that nature gives us, so please give us your views to shape how we do this.”
This initial engagement for the strategy will end on 15 December 2023. After this, the responses will be analysed and the results will inform local experts later in the development process. A formal consultation of a draft LNRS will take place in early 2024.
Find out more about the Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy at www.glincslnrs.org.uk.
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Legislation clarifying right of local authorities to support churches clears final hurdle in House of Lords
A Government amendment to the Bill makes it clear that local authorities can provide grants for parish churches or places of worship, following many years of legal uncertainty.
The amendment was introduced after the Bishop of Bristol, Viv Faull highlighted the need for clarification of the law during the Bill’s Committee Stage in the House of Lords.
Bishop Viv, who is the Church of England’s joint lead bishop on church buildings, said: “This amendment brings clarity to the law which will give local authorities confidence to award grants to local church buildings to enable them to serve their communities better.
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill received its Third Reading in the House of Lords today. It will now go to the House of Commons for final consideration ahead of Royal Assent.
The clarification comes after the Taylor Review of the Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals, published in 2017, proposed a clarification through guidance or a change in the law.
Read the full story:
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English Rural Report on affordable housing
English Rural Housing Association published a report on Land, Landowners and the Delivery of Affordable Homes in Rural Areas on 11 September 2023. The report's main argument is that the need for affordable housing extends beyond city limits, often hitting rural communities hardest due to unique challenges such as high property prices and low average incomes. Rural Exception Sites have become a beacon of hope for such communities as these sites are designed to provide affordable homes that meet current local housing needs and remain perpetually. The report delves into relevant case studies that bring to life the transformative power of Rural Exception Sites, which cites local councils as integral to the process and includes eight local council examples.
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NALC urges the government to keep planning local
Responding to the latest Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities consultation on permitted development rights on 25 September 2023, we urged the government to keep planning local and democratic. In our submission, we argued that while we agree that more housing and affordable housing should be built, especially in rural areas, permitted development rights being the sole means to this end was not the answer. We stated these aims should be realised through democratic local planning authorities after consultation with local councils.
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Help NALC support White Ribbon Day
On 25 November 2023, NALC will support White Ribbon Day, a day to work towards ending violence against women and girls.
NALC will make a video to show male support for White Ribbon Day. We want as many men as possible from the sector to participate and send a video, following the instructions below.
• The video should be around 5 to 10 seconds long.
• Hold up a sign (piece of paper/whiteboard etc.) stating who you are (e.g. Cllr Jane Doe, Example Town Council) and with the hashtag #ChangeTheStory.
• Look at the camera and say, “This White Ribbon Day, I want to Change the Story to end violence against women and girls” (for individuals) or “This White Ribbon Day, we want to Change the Story to end violence against women and girls” (for groups).
• The video should be filmed in landscape (holding your phone sideways).
• Record as many takes as you need.
• We have a duty as a sector to show support for this important message, and the more contributions we have, the more significant impact you can make.
White Ribbon Day is the International Day for eradicating violence against women, held annually on 25 November. The charity White Ribbon UK seeks to engage men and boys in violence prevention as part of the global White Ribbon movement.
Please send your videos to daisy.petrow@nalc.gov.uk or to 077496 415 361 on Whatsapp by 17 November 2023.
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Bids Invited for £1 million Defibrillator Fund (England)
The Department of Health and Social Care is inviting community organisations to bid for funding through the Community Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Fund.
The total value of the funding available is £1 million. It is estimated that this will provide for 2,000 new defibrillators in community spaces across England.
As part of the grant award, applicants will be asked to demonstrate that defibrillators will be placed in areas where they are most needed, such as places with high footfall, vulnerable people, rural areas or due to the nature of activity at the site.
Examples could include town halls, community centres, local shops, post offices and local parks, to ensure that defibrillators are evenly spread throughout communities and easily accessible.
The funding will be allocated on the following basis:
• 100 applications will receive a fully funded AED - selection is based on areas that are most in need of AED throughout England
• 1900 applications will receive partial funding for an AED - organisations will be required to provide their own match funding of c.£750.
Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
The closing date for applications is the 21st of September 2024 (or once all the funding has been allocated).
Any questions about this fund should be directed to the Grant Information Hotline 0300 302 1388.
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Great British Insulation Scheme Launched
Last week, the government launched the £1 billion Great British Insulation Scheme to help some families insulate their homes. Families in lower council tax bands with less energy-efficient homes will be offered upgrades such as roof, loft or cavity wall insulation. Customers can use an online checker for the Great British Insulation Scheme to determine eligibility. The tool will ask a series of questions – including how they heat their home, whether their home has solid or cavity walls, and if they are receiving any benefits. A separate online checker has also been launched for the Home Upgrade Grant, which will help off-the-gas-grid homes with an energy performance certificate rating of D to G. The grant provides energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating to households in England. Customers using the online tools will then be referred to either their energy supplier for support from the Energy Company Obligation programme and Great British Insulation Scheme or their council for the Home Upgrade Grant.
Great British Insulation Scheme: https://tinyurl.com/mr35jrbh
Great British Insulation Scheme online checker: https://tinyurl.com/2p8jhcnr
Home Upgrade Grant online checker: https://tinyurl.com/y8vdutwp
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New neighbourhood planning and 20-minute neighbourhoods toolkit
The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have published a new toolkit as part of their collection on the 20-minute neighbourhood. Neighbourhood planning gives communities the right to plan and influence development in their area. This practical toolkit, developed with the University of Manchester, aims to empower communities to create and shape their places to face the present and future challenges. It is for anyone interested in starting or working on a neighbourhood plan. By offering a framework for neighbourhood plans based on the 20-minute neighbourhood concept and diverse policy examples, TCPA hopes the toolkit can inspire communities to design healthier, more active and thriving environments for all.
Toolkit: https://tinyurl.com/4zc2e5d4
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NALC Blog: Supporting your communities through tree planting
Author: Richard Stanford CB MBE, chief executive of the Forestry Commission
With growing environmental pressures to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, never has it been a more important time to grow trees. The UK government and local authorities share a common goal to halt the decline in biodiversity by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
The Forestry Commission, whose aim is to help to tackle society’s biggest challenges with thriving trees, woods and forests, were pleased to meet recently with NALC. We were very pleased to discuss how investing in nature’s recovery through woodland creation and management can play a crucial role in achieving these goals whilst also providing a wide range of other benefits, such as:
• Protecting our soils
• Reducing erosion
• Providing a natural form of flood management
• Reducing water pollution in our streams, rivers and lakes
• Improving air quality by filtering harmful gases
• Providing green spaces for health and wellbeing
Well-designed, managed woodlands can also generate a reliable income from the sale of carbon units as early as five years after planting. In addition, there are the more traditional revenue streams from agroforestry, timber, wood fuel, recreation and well-being.
Further information: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/library/our-work/climate-change/3906-forestry-commission/file
Local authorities are perfectly placed to lead by example, and we have been very pleased with some excellent recent examples. Buckinghamshire and Gloucestershire councils are working with local communities, landowners and other partners to develop local plans and strategies to deliver their ambitious tree-planting targets.
Buckinghamshire Council aims to plant at least 543,000 trees across its estate, funded by the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and the Forestry England Woodland Partnership, with all eligible projects being registered with the Woodland Carbon Code.
Gloucestershire County Council’s (GCC) aim to become a carbon-neutral county has resulted in a commitment to plant one million trees across Gloucestershire by 2030. Funded by the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, GCC has almost doubled the number of trees planted by partnering to plant in farms, schools, green spaces, roadsides, council housing, amenity areas and private land. Importantly, tree planting will help GCC reduce the risk of a repeat of the devastating floods of 2007 and replace trees lost to ash dieback.
Further case studies can be found on helping local authorities respond to the biodiversity emergency and helping local authorities respond to the climate emergency.
The Forestry Commission is on hand to guide a range of grant funding, including:
• Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF): Funds the establishment of trees in non-woodland settings. Available to Lower and Higher Tier Authorities. Although parish and town councils cannot apply for LATF directly, they may apply as part of a group application with a Lead Authority. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-treescapes-fund-application-form-round-3
• Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF): Provides funding for anyone who wants to plant trees in urban or peri-urban areas. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/urban-tree-challenge-fund
• England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO): Supports new woodland creation of at least one hectare in size or woodland blocks of 0.1 hectares. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/england-woodland-creation-offer
• The Forestry England Woodland Partnership: Creates new woodlands across England in partnership through a leasehold scheme.
NALC members can support woodland creation schemes by:
• Informing rural councils and land managers of the need for trees and the generous grants available.
• Looking favourably at woodland creation proposals.
• Informing and educating communities on the benefits of trees and woodlands in their local area.
• Supporting consultations and change of land use.
• Promoting the use of wild venison in schools and hospitals as a healthy and sustainable meat.
We also recommend speaking with neighbouring authorities to identify opportunities to collaborate with other local tree-planting initiatives to make woodland creation across local landscapes, towns, and cities a reality.
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Message to Town and Parish councils who have a LCC website
Just a reminder that when your clerk or anyone who has access to the backend of the website leaves, please let us (LCC) know immediately so we can disable the account. This will ensure no one has unauthorised access to the site.
Please also remember that logins cannot be shared - this is part of the computer misuse act 1990. If someone new needs access to your site, for example the chair, vice chair or current clerk (someone recognisable to LCC), you must inform us by email, and we will create new access for them.
Send changes to ali.holmes@lincolnshire.gov.uk or LCCtownandparishnews@lincolnshire.gov.uk
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First King’s Series National Nature Reserve on Lincolnshire Coast
Natural England's new Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve is the first in the new King’s Series and aims to enhance biodiversity, support nature recovery and connect people with nature.
Natural England launched the Reserve on the Greater Lincolnshire coast on Monday 18 September.
The Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve (LCCNNR) covers 33 square kilometres along almost 30 kilometres of coastline, making it the ninth largest National Nature Reserve in the country. The LCCNNR brings together the existing Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserves, adding a further 2350 hectares of land managed for nature conservation.
The series will see the creation of five major National Nature Reserve declarations every year for the next five years - 25 in total.
To find out more visit: https://tinyurl.com/mrxsfa3z
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Suspicious text messages – SmiShing
Have you ever received a text message that you weren't sure about? Maybe it asked you to "verify" your personal or financial details?
SMiShing is when a scammer texts you asking for personal or financial information. The message may appear to be from a legitimate company, like a mobile phone provider or bank, but legitimate companies never ask you to provide sensitive information by text.
Don’t reply, just delete. Be wary of clicking on links and remember your bank will never email or text to ask for your PIN or password. You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726.
More tips for keeping your mobile phone safe:
• Keep your phone’s operating system updated with the latest security patches and upgrades. Your operating system provider normally sends these.
• Never give your mobile banking security details, including your passcode, to anyone and don’t store them on your phone.
• For added security set up a password or PIN to lock your mobile.
• Just like a computer, you can get antivirus tools for your mobile; use a reputable brand. Some banks offer free antivirus software for their customers’ phones. Check your bank’s website for more information.
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New chair of the Improvement and Development Board
NALC and SLCC have appointed James Alexander as the new independent chair of the Improvement and Development Board. The board oversees a range of national initiatives that support councils to be ever more effective and ambitious, including the CiLCA qualification and Local Council Award Scheme. James will help continue driving our improvement strategy for the sector.
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NALC and SLCC Design Code Pathfinder Showcase
NALC and SLCC co-delivered an online event on the Design Code Pathfinder Programme on 20 September 2023. The event provided updates on how the 25 areas funded since 2022 with the government's £3 million Design Code Pathfinder Programme – including £30,000 recently awarded to Weymouth Town Council – have used the funding to develop pilot design codes to help improve the look and feel of the built environment in their areas. Cllr Peter Allison, vice chair of NALC's Policy Committee, chaired the event, which included a presentation on how Herefordshire Council had worked with local councils to create pilot design codes.
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NALC National Network: Super councils
(Aimed at the largest local councils which have an annual precept of over £1m or an annual turnover of over £1.5m)
This year's third online meeting of the super councils network took place on 21 September 2023. The network responded to their views on an emerging policy on a higher trigger for local council by-elections. Our current positions on parish polls were also discussed, and updates were provided on the responses to the latest government consultations on hedgerows, permitted development rights and local plans. Super councils interested in participating in the NALC/LGA Corporate Peer Challenge programme are asked to send expressions of interest to anders.hanson@nalc.gov.uk.
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Watercourses and their importance
If you own land with a watercourse running through it, along its boundaries, or under it, you have certain rights and responsibilities that in legal terms make you a ‘riparian owner’. Being a riparian owner is an important role; one that helps to protect your own property, that of neighbours, and those upstream from flooding, whilst simultaneously supporting the natural environment of our rivers and streams.
Responsibility for maintaining these watercourses is presumed to rest with relevant riparian owner(s), however, it is worth noting that various organisations also have powers to maintain, improve, and construct works on watercourses in Lincolnshire:
• The Environment Agency has powers to undertake work on main rivers
• Lincolnshire County Council has powers to undertake work on ordinary watercourses which do not fall within the district of an internal drainage board
• Internal Drainage Boards have powers to undertake work on ordinary watercourses which fall within their district. You can find out who your local Internal Drainage Board is on the Association of Drainage Authorities website
• District Councils have powers to undertake work on ordinary watercourses which do not fall within the district of an internal drainage board
• If a watercourse forms the boundary between you and your neighbour, the law presumes that you are responsible for maintaining up to the centreline of the watercourse, unless there is any formal information indicating otherwise, such as in title deeds
• If there is a fence between your land and the watercourse, the presumption remains that the watercourse marks the land boundary, rather than the fence
• If there is a hedge, the landowner on the hedge side of the bank is presumed to have riparian responsibilities for the whole watercourse, rather than just up to the centreline
• If a watercourse runs alongside an adopted highway the responsibility for maintenance is presumed to lie with the landowner on the non-highway side of the bank. However, in certain circumstances, maintenance of these watercourses may be the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council
Responsibilities of riparian owners include but are not limited to:
• Not obstructing the flow of a watercourse to the detriment of your neighbours
• Keeping structures you own clear and free from obstruction
• Seeking permission to use herbicides to control weeds in water or on the banks next to a watercourse
• Not allowing the watercourse to become polluted
• Preventing invasive species from spreading into the wild or onto neighbours land
Depending on its condition, maintaining a watercourse need not be a difficult or expensive task with work likely to be only required on an intermittent basis. Maintenance might include:
• Vegetation management – e.g. in channel weed cutting. Where possible, marginal vegetation on one side of the channel should be left uncut
• Channel clearance – e.g. removing branches and trunks that obstruct the channel
• Channel maintenance – e.g. removal of accumulated silt that is obstructing flows
Further information can be obtained from the following organisations:
