If any Clerks want to join the Clerks’ eGroup, or any councillors want to join the Councillor eGroup, contact enquiries@lalc.co.uk.

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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.

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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.

If you update your council email and are already booked on training, please let us know so that we can update your booking to ensure you receive the automatic reminders.

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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, which ensures that your advert also appears on Lincolnshire County Council’s website, Facebook, and LinkedIn (in addition to the LALC website and eNews).  The current fee for this is £60 however will be increasing to £75 from 1st April (due to LCC charge increases). 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. 

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Latest News

To see the latest NALC news: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/news

To see the latest SLCC news: https://www.slcc.co.uk/news-publications/

(No login is required).

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Save the date! 24th July - LALC Summer Conference

The LALC Summer Conference this year will take place on Wednesday 24th July at Belton Woods Hotel, Belton, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LN.

Featuring a choice of workshops, Q&A session, trade stands and the LALC AGM.

The full programme will be announced nearer to the date.

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NJC Pay claim 2024-25

The NJC pay claim for 2024-25 has been made by the Joint Trade Union Side (UNISON, GMB and UNITE) to the Local Government Association. 

Summary of the claim:

• An increase of at least £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) on all spinal column points

In addition:

• Reviews of the gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps in local government

• A 2-hour reduction in the working week with no detriment

• An additional day of annual leave for personal or well-being purposes (with term time only staff also receiving a full day rather than a pro rata amount, that they can use at any time, including term time)

• A phased approach to reaching a minimum pay rate of £15 an hour in a maximum of two years, sooner if possible 

Full pay claim details:  https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2024/02/NJC-Pay-Claim-2024-25.pdf

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Beware – theft of speed indicator batteries

A Lincolnshire council has recently had the batteries stolen from its solar powered speed indicator. Another has had the complete battery-powered speed indicator stolen.

We understand that the batteries are likely stolen to use in e-scooters.

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Reminder – Martyn’s Law consultation

This consultation is targeted at organisations, businesses, local and public authorities, and individuals who own or operate publicly accessible premises or events that the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will potentially affect.

It seeks views from those responsible for smaller premises which would fall within the standard tier.

The bill will impose requirements in relation to certain premises and events to increase their preparedness for, and protection from, a terrorist attack by requiring them to take proportionate steps, depending on the size and nature of the activities that take place at the premises.

LALC would like to stress the importance of commenting on this consultation, particularly for those councils who own large premises and hire them out for events.

Access the consultation: Martyn's Law: standard tier consultation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 18 March 2024.

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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.

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SLCC seeking information on parish polls

SLCC is working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) on their review of Parish Polls.  DHLUC does not have any mechanism for capturing where parish polls are happening, and DLUHC have asked for our help to identify any polls that are happening right now or are imminent.

If you have a parish poll happening in your area, please contact shelley.parker@slcc.co.uk with details.

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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.

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Village Halls Week 

#VillageHallsWeek will return in 2024 to celebrate everything village halls can do to ‘go green’.

It will look at how buildings can be made more energy efficient, and how management committees can support sustainable and environmentally friendly behaviours in their community.

During the week (18-24 March) ACRE will be encouraging as many halls as possible to hold their own events, share their stories and get inspiration from others.

We are also hoping to publish some energy efficiency design guidance produced by stagg architects which will feature examples of best practice from across England.

More information: https://acre.org.uk/village-halls-week-2024/

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New SLCC podcast - Levelling Up - Regional Inequalities and Social Fabric Programmes

In the latest SLCC podcast we speak to Shivani H. Menon, a Senior Researcher on Onward’s Levelling Up and Social Fabric programmes and co-author of the report ‘Levelling Up Locally’. Shivani gives a detailed insight into the report and highlights how low cost, fast action policies can be implemented by local leaders with the resources that are already available, despite the financial hardships faced by local councils.

Listen to the podcast (no login required): https://tinyurl.com/mrx6pppb

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NALC blog - British Heart Foundation

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.

Read the blog: https://tinyurl.com/3bsbwd8d

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Fields in Trust

Fields in Trust is calling for the next UK government to address the challenges faced across health and wellbeing, social cohesion, climate change and nature loss.

Their manifesto outlines three key priorities regarding parks and green spaces:

• Everyone should have access to a good quality park or green space within a 10-minute walk of their home.

• A planning system that protects and creates more new parks and green spaces.

• Increased funding for parks and green spaces to improve their quality and make them more multi-functional.

Fields in Trust protects almost 3,000 parks and green spaces across the UK.

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ELDC - Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2)

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) scheme is designed to provide energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating solutions to low-income households living off-gas grid (i.e. there is no option to connect to the mains gas network in that area).  The grants available will be between £8,000 and £38,000 per home depending on the property and wall type, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of the property and fuel type. The HUG 2 scheme will prioritise improving insulation methods in homes as well as methods of low-carbon heating.  If you’re interested in the benefits this scheme can offer, take a look at our video https://loom.ly/P4b0E8Q 

To apply for the scheme, email greenhomesgrants@e-lindsey.gov.uk 

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NKDC - Grant funding available for local groups and good causes

Good causes, not-for-profit groups, and now local councils too are all invited to seek funding for community projects through an ongoing grant scheme.

The Sleaford REP Community Power Fund is delivered in partnership by Schroders Greencoat, owners of the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, and North Kesteven District Council which helps administer it.

Community projects that contribute to environmental sustainability, sport, wellbeing and education, in order to empower and foster community development are all eligible to apply and are encouraged now to get their applications in.

Projects which could receive funding include – but are not limited to – enhancing green spaces, support for community groups, investments in community facilities and organising events or performances. The eligibility criteria for local councils differs slightly from other community groups. 

To qualify for funding, groups must be not-for-profit entities with a registered office located within five miles of the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant and posses a constitution or governing document, as well as a bank or building society account.

Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/yvm2868d

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NKDC Plan 2024-27

A roadmap for achieving the Council's vision for flourishing communities across North Kesteven over the next three years – alongside the ongoing delivery of quality District Council services – is now approved.

The NK Plan 2024-27 highlights key schemes and partnership work across five priorities – homes, the environment, economy, flourishing communities, and Council operations. There's a green thread which also interlinks the plan with actions on climate.

It's closely aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which in turn inform the aspirations of the Council’s Community Strategy targeted on 2030. It is also more reflective of the role partners have in making it all happen, the importance of young people’s voices, and the potential for skills to expand along with sustainable and regenerative growth in the local economy. 

It was approved unanimously by Members yesterday, having been recommended to Full Council by the authority's Executive Board earlier in the month. 

You can view the NK Plan 2024-27 here: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/nkplan

Or look out for more exploration of it soon on the Council's social media channels at @northkestevendc

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PCC volunteering opportunity

We are recruiting for Independent Custody Visitors. This is an opportunity to make a real difference to the welfare of vulnerable people in custody.

Every PCC has a legal duty to run an Independent Custody Visiting scheme, in which local members of the public volunteer to serve as Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) making regular, unannounced visits to police custody to check on the rights, entitlements and wellbeing of detainees as well as the conditions they are held in.

Visits are made by pairs of volunteers where they speak to detainees, review custody records and check custody suite conditions and essential stocks such as food, clothing and religious items. ICVs ask custody staff to resolve any immediate issues and complete visit reports, alerting the PCC to their findings.

After training, custody visitors will know what to ask, what to look for and what may be done.  They must be impartial and favour neither the police nor the detainee.  On completion of their visit a report form is completed and passed to all stakeholders involved in the Scheme.

Through the work of ICVs, PCCs are able to give assurance to the public that people detained by the police in their force area are being treated in a lawful, ethical and transparent way.

If you are interested in applying email: lincolnshire-pcc@lincs.police.uk

Telephone: 01522 212351                                                           

Address:  OPCC for Lincolnshire, Deepdale Lane, Nettleham LN2 2LT

The closing date is 31 March 2024.

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Special meeting of NALC Policy Committee

NALC's Policy Committee held a special online meeting on 4 March 2024 to develop our responses to the government's current consultations on brownfield development and permitted development rights. On the brownfield development response, the committee agreed to argue to the government its concerns about building at higher density on brownfield sites, not wanting sub-standard development on such sites, there being no logic behind the government's thinking on brownfield development, and the need for such development to comply with local design codes. And on the permitted development rights response, the committee agreed to reiterate its opposition to an unfettered extension of these rights but to welcome those who helped fight climate change and promote the use of domestic heat pumps.

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Moving over to a .gov.uk domain? A new way to contact the Parish Council Domains Helper Service

Over the last few months, NALC have been working with the Central Digital and Data Office to support the Parish Council Domains Helper Service to help local councils move to a .gov.uk domain. There is now a new way to contact the service and kick-start your journey to moving to a .gov.uk domain. Just complete the simple form (https://tinyurl.com/4sppc3fd) to register your interest, and the Parish Council Domains Helper Service will invite you to one of the introductory sessions. The introductory sessions are all virtual and last about 45 minutes. You can pick a date and time that is most convenient for you. The Parish Council Domains Helper Service is currently booking through March 2024 but is constantly adding new sessions. They’ll also tell you how to access the £100 (plus VAT) funding to help with initial costs!

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Boston Community Leaders Engagement Briefing - 12th March

The next Boston Community Leaders Engagement Briefing is scheduled to take place on the 12th March at 12 noon via MS Teams. 

Agenda topics include: 

• Update on Towns Fund for Boston, Levelling Up Partnership & Long Term Plan for Towns

• Boston Place Team Update

• Town Centre Strategy - Hotspot project

• Domestic Abuse Champions

For further information contact: Karen Stengel, Health & Wellbeing Partnerships Officer - Boston Borough Council, Karen.stengel@boston.gov.uk, 01205 314212

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