Training
We still have availability at the following sessions. Book now to avoid disappointment! (Places can be booked via the member portal – login required. Usually this will be via the Clerk).
UK Shared & Rural Prosperity Fund briefing (Boston Borough, East Lindsey and South Holland district areas) 1st February 7:00pm – 8:30pm Boston Borough Council, Boston, PE21 8QR or remote via MS Teams
New Councillor Session 7th February 6:00pm-9:00pm Zoom
UK Shared & Rural Prosperity Fund briefing (Boston Borough, East Lindsey and South Holland district areas) 9th February 7:00pm – 8:30pm East Lindsey District Council, Horncastle, LN9 6PH or remote via MS Teams
Coming soon - Elections Workshops February – See below
Planning for councils 21st February 7:00pm-9:30pm Zoom
UK Shared & Rural Prosperity Fund briefing (Boston Borough, East Lindsey and South Holland district areas) 22nd February 7:00pm – 8:30pm South Holland District Council, Spalding, PE11 2XE or remote via MS Teams
Allotments (Day 1 of 3) – Tenancy and Policies 1st March 2.00pm-3.30pm Zoom
Allotments (Day 2 of 3) – Site Facilities and Health & Safety 8th March 2.00pm-3.30pm Zoom
Allotments (Day 3 of 3) – Self-management for Association Councils 15th March 2.00pm-3.30pm Zoom
LCC websites – Jadu Basics 21st April 10.00am-4.00pm Zoom
Cemetery Management (part 1) 16th May 9.15am-12.3opm Zoom
Cemetery Management (part 2) 17th May 9.15am-12.30pm Zoom
LCC websites – Jadu Advanced 26th May 10.00am-12.30pm Zoom
Play Area Inspections 7th June 9:30am-4:00pm North Hykeham Town Council Civic Offices, Fen Lane, North Hykeham, LN6 8UZ
Play Area Inspections (with exam) 8th June 9:30am-4:00pm North Hykeham Town Council Civic Offices, Fen Lane, North Hykeham, LN6 8UZ
***Training venues are booked once a number of bookings have been received. This allows LALC to book venues based on where the majority of delegates are travelling from. If there are less than 10 bookings on any course, the course will automatically be held at the LALC Office, 8 Market Rasen Road, Dunholme, Lincoln, LN2 3QR***
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Current vacancies
Position Closing date
Ruskington Parish Council
Administration Assistant 29th November
South Luffenham Parish Council (Rutland)
Clerk/RFO No closing date
North Luffenham Parish Council (Rutland)
Clerk/RFO No closing date
Snitterby Parish Council
Clerk/RFO 10th February
Folkingham Parish Council
Clerk/RFO 14th December
Gainsborough Town Council
Allotments Officer 2nd January
Tattershall with Thorpe Parish Council
Clerk 31st January
Asterby and Goulceby Parish Council
Clerk/RFO 31st January
Skidbrooke cum Saltfleet Haven Parish Council
Temporary Administrator/Data Processor 28th February
Skidbrooke cum Saltfleet Haven Parish Council
Clerk/RFO 28th February
Folkingham Parish Council
Clerk/RFO 17th January
Nettleham Parish Council
Clerk 3rd February
Nettleham Parish Council
RFO 3rd February
Ingoldmells Parish Council
Clerk No closing date
Ingoldmells Parish Council
RFO No closing date
Scothern Parish Council
Clerk/RFO 10th February
Legbourne Parish Council
Clerk 10th February
Bilsby & Farlesthorpe Parish Council
Clerk/RFO 1st February
Mablethorpe & Sutton Town Council
Administration Assistant 24th February
If we are advertising your vacancy in the eNews and on our website, please let us know when the vacancy has been filled, so that we can remove it.
If you need your vacancy advertising and 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.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
LALC ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024
LALC would like to confirm all Annual Subscription 23/24 invoices have now been emailed out to clerks for Town/Parish & Parish Meetings.
If for any reason you have not received yours please email enquiries@lalc.co.uk for a further copy.
LALC ANNUAL TRAINING SCHEME 1st April 2023 -31st March 2024
The LALC Annual Training Scheme form for 2023-24 is now available.
To renew, clerks can access this form via https://lalc.jams.junari.com and then Document Templates in the Member Portal.
The form includes the 2023-24 prices and is based on your electorate.
Please complete this form and return it to lindsey.westman@lalc.co.uk . Upon receipt of the completed form an invoice shall be raised.
Any questions relating to finance please don’t hesitate to contact Lindsey.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural Prosperity Funding available
LALC will be holding presentations to promote the recent announcement of grant funding to support parish and town council areas in Boston Borough, East Lindsey and South Holland districts.
Advance notice was previously given in the eNews. The sessions will take place at the council offices at the following dates, times and locations. Even if you cannot make the session for your own council area, please feel free to join a later session. Capacity for face-to-face meetings is limited at each venue so booking is essential. When registered for online access we will send details how to join remotely.
• 1st February 7pm-8.30pm at Boston Borough Council’s Municipal Buildings both online and face to face.
• 9th February 7pm-8.30pm at East Lindsey District Council Offices at the Hub in Horncastle both online and face to face.
• 22nd February 7pm-8.30pm at South Holland District Council Offices, Priory Road, Spalding both online and face to face.
Further information about the grant funding available in each borough/district can be found at these online locations.
• https://www.boston.gov.uk/article/23150/Council-invites-eligible-Boston-organisations-expressions-of-interest-in-2-62million-Prosperity-Funding
• https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/article/23151/Council-invites-eligible-East-Lindsey-organisations-expressions-of-interest-in-6-14million-Prosperity-Funding
• https://www.sholland.gov.uk/article/23152/Council-invites-eligible-South-Holland-organisations-expressions-of-interest-in-3-39million-Prosperity-Funding
The full bidding guide for the funding and the expression of interest form is accessible through the above links. Parish and town councils are eligible to submit expressions of interest for the grant funding for projects that may benefit their community.
If clerks, parish and town councillors want to join any of the awareness sessions please register through your clerk on the LALC website.
We look forward to assisting as many local councils obtaining grant funding and delivering their projects for their communities.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Elections Briefings
NKDC are running a series of briefings for Town and Parish Councillor candidates and interested Clerks in NK. These are:
• Wed 22 February at 6.30pm in North Hykeham Town Council offices
• Thurs 23 February at 6.30pm online on Teams
• Mon 27 February at 6.30pm in the Civic Suite at NKDC, Sleaford
To register, email nk-corporatecivicsupportteam@n-kesteven.gov.uk stating Election Briefing and Date and include number of attendees with contact details for each. (NKDC councils should have already received this information).
SHDC briefings for candidates and Clerks in SH are:
• 7th February at 2pm at SHDC Offices, Spalding, in MR1
• 9th February 5.30pm via Teams
SHDC councils should have already received this information, including details of how to book one of the sessions.
SKDC briefings for candidates and clerks in SK are:
• Monday 27th February at 6pm – SKDC, Bourne
• Monday 6th March at 6pm - SKDC Offices, Grantham
Places should be booked directly via SKDC.
We are currently chasing WLDC and ELDC to see if they are arranging elections briefings and will advertise details as soon as we receive them.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
PURDAH: A short guide to publicity during the pre-election period
The term ‘purdah’ has come into popular use across central and local government to describe the period of time immediately before elections or referendums when specific restrictions on communications activity are in place. The term ‘pre-election period’ is also used. Purdah is taken to start from the publication of the Notice of Election.
The Code – The Government published a new Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity in 2011. The Code is based around seven principles to ensure that all communications activity:
• Is lawful
• Is cost effective
• Is objective
• Is even-handed
• Is appropriate
• Has regard to equality and diversity
• Is issued with care during periods of heightened sensitivity
The last principle, to ensure special care is taken during periods of heighted sensitivity is of particular relevance during the pre-election period.
The pre-election restrictions are governed by Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986 as amended in 1988. Essentially councils should “not publish any material which, in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party”
Section 4 of the Act makes clear councils need to have regard for the code of recommended practice that supports the Act. The new code of practice published in 2011 makes the following essential points:
• In general you should not issue any publicity which seeks to influence voters (an exception being situations covered by legislation or regulations covered by legislation or regulations directing publication of information about referendums for explanatory purposes, for example promoting the existence of the referendum and explain how to take part)
• Particular care should be taken during the pre-election period to abide by the Act
• Consider suspending hosting third party material or closing public forums if these are likely to breach the codes of practice
• Do not publish any publicity on controversial issues or report views on proposals in a way which identifies them with individual councillors or groups of councillors
• Publicity relating to individuals involved directly should not be published unless expressly authorised by statute
• You are allowed to publish factual information which identifies the names, wards and parties of candidates at elections
Although this new code supersedes the previous versions and may seem less specific, in practice your conduct should be similar to previous elections.
Publicity is defined as “any communication, in whatever form, addressed to the public at large or to a section of the public”.
The first question to ask is ‘could a reasonable person conclude that you were spending public money to influence the outcome of the election?’ In other words it must pass the ‘is it reasonable’ test. When making your decision, you should consider the following:
You should not:
• Produce publicity on matters which are politically controversial
• Make references to individual politicians or groups in press releases
• Arrange proactive media or events involving candidates
• Issue photographs which include candidates
• Supply council photographs or other materials to councillors or political group staff unless you have verified that they will not be used for campaigning purposes
• Continue hosting third party blogs or e-communications
• Help with national political visits (as this would involve using public money to support a particular candidate or party). These should be organised by political parties with no cost or resource implications for the council.
You should also think carefully before you:
• Continue to run campaign material to support your own local campaigns. If the campaign is already running and is non-controversial (for example, on issues like recycling or foster care) and would be a waste of public money to cancel or postpone them, then continue. However, you should always think carefully if a campaign could be deemed likely to influence the outcome of the election and you should not use councillors in press releases and events in pre-election periods. In such cases you should stop or defer them. An example might be a campaign on an issue which has been subject of local political debate and/or disagreement.
• Launch any new consultations. Unless it is a statutory duty, don’t start any new consultations or publish report findings from consultation exercises, which could be politically sensitive.
You are allowed to:
• Continue to discharge normal council business (including determining planning applications, even if they are controversial).
• Publish factual information to counteract misleading, controversial or extreme (for example, racist/sexist information). An example might be a media story which is critical of the council, such as a media enquiry claiming that the salaries of all the council’s senior managers have increased by five per cent. If this is not true, a response such as ‘none of the council’s senior management team have received any increase in salary in the last 12 month’s is acceptable. It is perfectly right and proper that the council responds, as long as it is factual.
• Use relevant lead officers rather than members for reactive media releases.
• Use a politician who is involved in an election when the council is required to respond in particular circumstances, such as in an emergency situation or where there is a genuine need for a member-level response to an important event beyond the council’s control.
• If you are in any doubt, seek advice from your Returning Officer and/or Monitoring Officer, legal or communications colleagues.
Ultimately, you must always be guided by the principle of fairness. It is crucial that any decisions you take would be seen as fair and reasonable by the public and those standing for office.
When does the pre-election period begin?
This is generally taken to be when the election notice is issued by the District Council announcing the election and allowing candidates to be nominated. This year this will not be later than 27th March 2023 but will probably begin earlier depending on the date the election is called by each District Council. This will be decided by the Returning Officer for the District Council areas. Clerks will be sent the election notice to put on the noticeboard(s).
From the date that the election notices are issued to display on noticeboards, candidates may be nominated. Nominations will close on 4th April and within 48 hours it will be known if the election is contested or uncontested and a notice will be issued by the District Council to display on noticeboards. If contested then the vote will take place on May 4th and campaigning will be in full swing. Be aware that both parish council and district council elections are taking place this year so even if a parish election is uncontested the District Council election will still be underway so ‘purdah’ should still be observed.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Local Council Elections 2023 Publicity
All parish and town council seats are up for election on 4th May 2023. The publication of election notices will be issued by the District Council election teams for display in all parishes by Monday 27th March 2023 (at the latest) and nomination papers for all candidates will need to be submitted by 4th April 2023.
LALC is also offering materials for local councils to promote the upcoming election and to attract candidates who wish to be a councillor based on NALC’s ‘Make a Change’ materials.
If you would like to purchase A4 posters or A5 flyers LALC will place a bulk order by the end of January 2023 for distribution in early February 2023.
In anyone wants to order these for their council, please complete the order form at: https://lalc.jams.junari.com/order-form
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Clarification from NALC on when a new council takes office
Annual council meeting dates for councils with elections and the Coronation bank holiday:
Further to our guidance in the October 2022 legal bulletin, we now know that Monday 8 May will be an additional bank holiday to mark the coronation of HM King Charles III. The 2023 local election date is Thursday 4 May and councillors would ordinarily take office on Monday 8 May. Our view is that councillors will now take office on Tuesday 9 May making the relevant 14-day meeting period for the purposes of paragraph 7 (2) of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972 Wednesday 10-Thursday 25 May inclusive.
This an area where we are aware there have been different interpretations of the computation of days and we have not counted Sundays in our 14-day calculation.
Based on this NALC advice, the latest date you can hold the Annual Meeting of the (Parish or Town) Council is therefore 25 May.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
Website maintenance service
2023-24 fees
What’s included?
Level of service Fee Documents uploaded to your LCC website by Pete Langford Access to Pete for advice, queries or problem solving Access to current guidance documents from Pete Updates as appropriate Access to e-group for peer support *
Premium £85 - 5 hours
£170 - 10 hours
£340 - 20 hours
+ VAT Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Basic £50/yr + VAT No Yes Yes Yes Yes
This service is available to LALC member councils and is additional to the membership subscription and Annual Training Scheme. The fee for LALC non-members is double that quoted above.
*The e-group will be primarily led by clerks providing support for each other. The webmaster will monitor and contribute information and answers occasionally, but this won’t be the priority.
Dull details of this service can be found on the website at https://www.lalc.co.uk/website-maintenance
To sign up to any of these services, please contact us on 01673 866596 or email enquiries@lalc.co.uk.
꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰꙰ ꙰꙰꙰
National Grid grants support East Lindsey’s warm spaces
East Lindsey District Council has been successful with a bid to the National Grid - Community Matters Fund in receiving a grant to allow them to support local community groups who are open as a Warm Space this Winter.
The Council are in process of making a £400 one-off contribution available to support Warm Spaces who have signed up to the districts Warm Spaces directory opening on a weekly basis. For those signed up but open less than once a week will be eligible to apply for a one-off contribution of £200.
The following groups who eligible for funding are:
• Not for Profit Company Limited by Guarantee
• Constituted Company/Voluntary Group
• Parish or Town Council
• Parochial Church Council
• Registered Charity
Those groups who we are aware of and are signed up and eligible have been contacted and payments are being processed.
Read more here: https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/article/22943/National-Grid-grants-and-additional-funding-help-support-East-Lindsey-s-Warm-Spaces
Rural Services network
Rural Services Network commissioned research last year that shows rural areas are struggling more with the rise of cost of living than urban areas.
You can help them understand more about rural household budgets by carrying out the below survey, which will allow RSN to engage more effectively with Government Departments, MPs and other policy makers.
The survey closes on 31 March 2023.
Please access the survey at: https://loom.ly/CvWfGqs
