The Local Government Act 1972 s 143 (1) (b) states that, ‘a local Authority may pay reasonable subscriptions, whether annually or otherwise, to the funds of any association of officers or members of local authorities which was so formed.’
The majority of SLCC members have their subscriptions paid by their council under this power.
National Association of Local Council (NALC), Local Government Association (LGA) and Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) also agree and state in the Good Councillors Guide 2018:
‘Your clerk (and the council) benefit if the clerk is a member of the SLCC. The SLCC provides legal, financial and other advice, a useful training pack and considerable support and guidance from the clerks’ network. Your council may wish to pay the clerk’s subscription to the SLCC. There is also information available on the SLCC website www.slcc.co.uk.