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 have set up your councillors on the LALC portal, you will be able to select their correct email address from a drop-down list when booking the training.
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.
If one of your councillors resigns, and they were booked on LALC training, please cancel their place, so that others can book on. Failure to do so may not only deprive other councils from attending but could result in a non-attendance charge (see below).
Please note our training cancellation policy:
• For part day courses – please ensure we receive cancellations at least 48 hours in advance
• For full day events – please ensure we receive cancellations at least 5 working days in advance, as we need to pre-order and pay for lunches
Due to persistent non-attendance at booked events, it is unfortunate that LALC have had to amend the way we impose our cancellation fees. All members are charged 50% of the training cost when insufficient notice is received (as above) for non-attendance at training events. No shows will be charged at 100% of the course fee. All charges are regardless of whether the council is a member of the ATS or not.
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|
Position |
Closing date |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
No closing date |
|
|
Clerk |
16th August 2024 |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
30th July 2024 |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
31st August 2024 |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
No closing date |
|
|
Assistant Parish Clerk |
6th September 2024 |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
16th September 2024 |
|
|
RFO |
13th September 2024 |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
No closing date |
|
|
Clerk |
10th September 2024 |
|
|
Facilities Cleaner |
22nd September 2024 |
|
|
Estates Maintenance Operative |
4th October 2024 |
|
|
Assistant to the Clerk |
30th September 2024 |
|
|
Clerk/RFO |
30th September 2024 |
|
|
Caretaker/Handyperson |
13th October 2024 |
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 £75. 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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Sign up to the LCC Town and Parishes newsletter – email:
lcctownandparishnews@lincolnshire.gov.uk
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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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Clerks Networking and SLCC Lincs branch AGM – more details confirmed
Come and network with fellow Clerks at our full day event on 26th November at Welbourn Village Hall!
Meet some of LALC’s partners.
Schedule for the day
9:30 Registration for SLCC members
10:00 SLCC Lincolnshire Branch AGM
10:00 Registration for non SLCC members
10:30 Joe Russell from Complete Communities, presenting on “Beyond Ideas: Tips for writing engaging plans and strategies“.
This session is primarily aimed at officers and clerks. It focusses on finding ways to make public sector documents engaging and readable for residents and businesses.
We will cover:
• The importance of a strategic approach
• Phraseology and perceptions
• Improving your story telling and narrative
• Tips for improving readability and engaging people with your plans
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Grant White (WLDC Communities Manager) and Paul Drury will be running a joint workshop on Effective engagement/consultation and tips to write successful bid applications.
Places can be booked now via the portal (login required).
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Save the date - ‘Health & Safety Awareness and Risk Assessments for Councils’
When: 29th October, full day
Where: Kirton in Lindsey Town Hall
This event is suitable for clerks and councillors and is being run in conjunction with our colleagues at ERNLLCA (East Riding and Northern Lincolnshire Local Councils Association), and will be delivered by Worknest, our H&S partner.
The morning session will be a presentation from Worknest on 'Health & Safety Awareness for Councils'.
This will be followed in the afternoon session by Health & Safety Awareness workshops where delegates will be able to produce their own Risk Assessments with guidance from Worknest.
Items to be covered are expected to be risk assessing meeting venues and events such as Remembrance and Christmas events as well as some of the employer duties that may face councils ensuring that employees and volunteers are safe.
Places can be booked now via the portal (login required).
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New CiLCA dates for 2025 announced
Wednesday 29 January – Introduction to CILCA and LO1, LALC Office, 1pm – 4pm
Wednesday 26th February Day 1 – Zoom, 10am – 1pm
Wednesday 26th March Day 2 – Zoom, 10am – 1pm
Wednesday 23rd April Day 3 – Zoom, 10am – 1pm
Wednesday 4th June Day 4 – Zoom, 10am – 1pm
Places can be booked via the portal (login required).
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Reminder – Nimble training
There are a large number of eLearning courses available via Nimble, at just £25 plus VAT per course. (See details in the current Training Bulletin).
There appear to be a number of councils who have signed up to courses where the delegate has either never started or never finished the training. Clerks may want to review whether any of their councillors or officers have signed up to training that has not been completed and remind delegates of the cost to council and benefits of them completing the course.
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Central Lincolnshire Authority Wide Design Code Consultation
The Central Lincolnshire Local Plans Team is preparing a design code for Central Lincolnshire.
This will set out clear design requirements for new development to meet to ensure new buildings and spaces are designed to a high standard.
Getting the views of the community is vital to making sure the code represents your views in what makes design good in Central Lincolnshire. There will be three main stages where local communities can get involved. After each stage, the Local Plans Team will report the key findings and what this means for the design code.
The first round of community engagement is open until Tuesday 22nd October 2024.
You can learn more and have your say by visiting our website:
https://plans-centrallincs.hub.arcgis.com/pages/design-code
There are two surveys in the consultation. In survey one, you can identify what you think is special about where you live or work in Central Lincolnshire and what you think works well in terms of the design of buildings, streets and spaces. By putting a pin on a map of where you want to tell us about, and possibly attaching a photo, you can easily send us your thoughts. We would also like to hear about what you think doesn't work so well and how it could be improved in the future. You can submit as many suggestions as you want.
The link to the first survey is: https://arcg.is/Tm5ne0
The second survey seeks your views on some of the key parts of the code. It is hoped that the responses to this more detailed survey will help inform what the code should cover and the core principles that it should follow.
The link to the second survey is: https://arcg.is/DzDPe
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Have your say on the proposed Police and Crime Plan priorities
Police and Crime Commissioners play a leading role in securing efficient and effective police and criminal justice services, holding Chief Constables to account for delivery, and setting the budget and strategic direction of police services.
Every PCC is required to produce a Police and Crime Plan that sets out their priorities for policing and community safety. This plan is the basis for how they hold the Chief Constable and the police force to account.
Your Police and Crime Commissioner wants to hear your views on the proposed themes and priorities within his new Police and Crime Plan, and his approach to holding Lincolnshire Police to account.
View the proposed priorities and accountability framework here and have your say:
https://lincolnshire-pcc.gov.uk/our-initiatives/police-and-crime-plan-public-consultation-2025-2029/
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Greater Lincolnshire Devolution: a joint letter of thanks from:
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader North East Lincolnshire Council
Cllr Martin Hill OBE, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council
Cllr Rob Waltham CBE, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council
We write to you today with great news and a thank you for your support last year and during the first half of 2024 as we progressed our plans for Greater Lincolnshire Devolution.
You may well have heard this morning, that Greater Lincolnshire devolution has the support of the new Government, and it will now progress through its final political stage.
This will see the forming of a Combined County Authority (CCA) ahead of the Mayoral election next May – when we will have our first Greater Lincolnshire MCCA, (Mayoral Combined County Authority).
This news follows successful meetings in recent weeks with Jim McMahon, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. In a letter to us this week, the Minister spoke of the hard work that has been done here, giving him great confidence in what we are about to achieve.
His words were: “Thank you for all your hard work to get to this point. The establishment of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority will be a significant step in realising that ambition for your region, giving you as local leaders the power to make decisions that benefit your communities, boosting economic growth and driving reform, which is at the forefront of the government’s agenda.”
There is no doubt that the work we have done has been supported by yourselves – we could not have done it alone. Thank you and we now look forward to the future.
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FAO NKDC councils: Service Level Agreement – Litter picking Parish funding
It is that time of year again when we invite you to apply for funding to undertake litter picking within your parish/town. The funding available will be either 80% of the actual costs incurred or 21p per head of population (whichever is the lesser amount).
I would remind all those who wish to partake in the scheme that the funding forms part of the Service Level Agreement that came into effect on the 1st April 2012. By accepting the funding, the terms of the Service Level Agreement apply:
Litter picking funding.
• Collect dog faeces as litter.
• Work within the 30mph limit (for the larger villages / towns we appreciate the operational logistics of this and therefore concede to local knowledge to target hotspots accordingly).
• Will provide the District Council with an annual report outlining the difference the funding has made to their parish / town.
• Continue to work with Officers of the District Council to review the location and effectiveness of litter and dog waste bins.
It is acknowledged that the funding calculation has remained unchanged for several years and is currently under review.
If you would like to apply for 2024/25 funding, please submit your request along with the annual report that should outline the difference the funding has made to your village / town to waste@n-kesteven.gov.uk by Monday 11th November 2024.
As you will remember, last year after advice from our tax consultant you now must submit an invoice to receive this funding. Once your request and associated report has been received, confirmation of the allocated funding shall be sent in order that you may raise an invoice to NKDC.
Yours sincerely
Jenny Bailey
Operational Services Manager
Waste & Street Scene
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NALC Legal Bulletin
Can a council co-opt a councillor who lives in Canada?
We were asked by a council if they could co-opt a person as a councillor who owns a property and business in the parish but resides in Canada and intended to remain in Canada.
Our answer was that although the person could meet the eligibility requirements under section 79 of the Local Government Act 1972, they wouldn’t be able to make their declaration of acceptance of office remotely and they wouldn’t be able to attend council meetings remotely.
Do councillors have joint and several liability?
A council wanted our advice on a draft agreement they were presented with, which stated that councillors would have joint and several liability under the agreement.
Our advice was that there is no need for such a clause. The council is the body corporate and legal person. We presumed the agreement was the party’s standard agreement and did not take into account the corporate nature of councils. The request also highlighted the importance of councils seeking legal advice when presented with drafts by other parties and not unwittingly signing up to onerous conditions.
Councillors speaking at planning inquiries
We were asked whether it is advisable for councillors to speak at planning inquiries. The question is not a legal one as such and we provided practical advice. It was our experience that the planning inspector will usually ask at the beginning of the inquiry who wishes to speak/make representations. Interested parties are encouraged to take part in the inquiry as local knowledge and opinion can often be a valuable addition to the evidence given by the appellant and the Local Planning Authority (LPA). It is usually the chair of the council who makes the representations for the council. The LPA ward councillor might do so if there are numerous parish/towns within the ward making similar representations, and there are numerous parties wishing to speak.
We recommend the following:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-appeals-dealt-with-by-an-inquiry-taking-part
Vexatious request vs requester
We have seen recent requests where the council has deemed a freedom of information or subject access request to be vexatious because of the person making the request. We reminded the councils that the FOI regime is purpose and applicant blind. The question is whether the request itself is vexatious rather than the person making the request. The Information Commissioner’s Office has given the following guidance:
1. an applicant (requester) does not need to give you a reason for wanting the information. On the contrary, you must justify refusing them information.
2. you must treat all requests for information equally, except under some circumstances relating to vexatious requests and personal data (see When can we refuse a request? for details on these). The information someone can get under the Act should not be affected by who they are. You should treat all requesters equally, whether they are journalists, local residents, public authority employees, or foreign researchers.
3. because you should treat all requesters equally, you should only disclose information under the Act if you would disclose it to anyone else who asked. In other words, you should consider any information you release under the Act as if it were being released to the world at large.
Electronic printouts and wet signatures
We were asked if council documents can be stored in electronic format for archive purposes or do they still have to be in held in hardcopy format and if documents previously stored in paper format could be scanned and stored in digital format.
Our in principle advice was that an electronic printout of information would count as a hard copy unless a wet signature is required (e.g. as is the case with council minutes). For documents where wet signatures are not required, electronic records are acceptable. As such, if the historic records have been copied into electronic form then the original documents are not required. Councils may wish to consider offering original documents to local archivists.
The King’s Speech: employment law proposals
The King's Speech in July set out the Government’s legislative programme for the coming year. It included an Employment Rights Bill and a Draft Equality Bill.
The Government proposals include:
1. banning “exploitative” zero hours contracts
2. ending "fire and rehire"
3. granting additional rights to all workers from day one of employment e.g. unfair dismissal protection
4. changing statutory sick pay
5. making unfair most dismissals of new mothers for six months after return to work
6. establishing the Fair Work Agency to enforce workplace rights
7. making changes to collective bargaining and industrial relations law
For more information see:
https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LABOURS-PLAN-TO-MAKE-WORK-PAY.pdf
The Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill is intended to make it easier to bring equal pay claims on grounds of race or disability. A draft Bill gets an extra stage of parliamentary scrutiny before becoming a Bill.
We are aware of other mooted employment rights. We will update as and when is necessary. The Bill has not come into force as yet so no action is needed at this time.
Recent team activity
As communicated in previous Chief Executive’s bulletins, we have reissued the planning LTN, consolidating a number of LTNs into one document. We also reissued the contracts LTN (basic contract law).
In out and abouts, Jane Moore, legal services manager, attended the LALC conference, held in Grantham on 24 July.
NALC Legal
Disclaimer: Information and commentary on the law contained in this bulletin is provided free of charge for information purposes only. Whilst every reasonable effort is made to make the information and commentary accurate and up to date, no responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by any member of NALC Legal Services.
The information and commentary does not, and is not intended to, amount to legal advice to any person on a specific case or matter. You are strongly advised to obtain specific advice about your case or matter and not to rely on the information or comments in this email.
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New NALC website launches on 7th October
We're excited to announce our newly redesigned website on 7 October 2024! Your feedback has been invaluable, and we're excited to introduce a platform designed with you in mind, promising to revolutionise your experience. Here's what's in store:
• Improved navigation — Our streamlined user interface allows you to easily access critical sections with fewer clicks. Whether using a desktop or mobile device, you'll find it easier to move around and locate the information you need.
• Sleek new design — Our modern, responsive design ensures a consistent and visually appealing experience across all devices. With a focus on readability and engagement, our website is now more accessible than ever, fully DDA compliant, and inclusive for all users.
• Powerful search functionality — Our advanced search engine delivers faster, more accurate results tailored to your needs. With more intelligent search algorithms, finding exactly what you're looking for will be a breeze.
• Starting 7 October 2024, parish and town councils, councillors, clerks, and council staff can create their accounts and gain access to exclusive member benefits. Take advantage of this enhanced online experience! Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the launch date.
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SLCC: 30 PIALC Bursaries for Clerks to Smaller Parish Councils
As part of our mission to educate clerks and drive excellence and professional standards in the sector, we’re excited to announce that SLCC and Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA) will be providing 30 bursaries for clerks in England working for smaller parish councils (with a £75k precept and under) to undertake Principles of Internal Auditing Local Councils (PIALC).
These bursaries will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and applications will close once we receive 30 eligible submissions. The bursary cannot be claimed retrospectively.
Apply for the bursary: https://tinyurl.com/47brekp4
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National Garden Scheme opens applications for 2025 Community Garden Grants
The National Garden Scheme will open applications for its Community Garden Grants programme for seven weeks from Monday 9th September to Monday 28th October.
These hugely popular grants provide funding to amateur gardeners from community groups in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands to create or complete a garden or similar project (such as an allotment) that has a horticultural focus for the benefit of the local community or charitable group. The aim should be to bring a community together by creating or developing a space that people can share, by the acquisition and sharing of gardening knowledge and skills, and by inspiring a love of gardening.
In 2024, 89 community garden projects were funded with grants totalling £232,000 supporting community gardens and allotments, rehabilitation and regeneration projects, gardens designed to support mental health and wellbeing, as well as training and development for young people.
“We welcome applications for projects that foster diversity and/or support people with physical or mental disability. With all applications considered on their individual merits, there is no fixed amount, but awards are between £1,000 and £5,000,” says National Garden Scheme Chief Executive, George Plumptre.
National Garden Scheme ambassador, TV presenter and gardener aka The Black Gardener, Danny Clarke says: “We want to see this funding going to the heart of communities, supporting projects that engage and invigorate diverse audiences, many of whom will discover for the first time the huge benefits that gardens and gardening bring to their health, wellbeing and to the surrounding environment. The icing on the cake will be that recipient gardens one day open for the National Garden Scheme themselves.”
For more details and to apply: https://ngs.org.uk/who-we-are/community-garden-grants/
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Parliamentary Outreach training for county associations
As part of NALC’s strategy to seek to influence the work of the new government and new MPs, we have been encouraging county associations and local (parish and town) councils to contact their new MPs and explain the work of local councils and their potential to help address many of the challenges facing the country. To help with this, we arranged for the UK’s Parliamentary Outreach Service to brief around fifty representatives from our county associations on the work of Parliament and how they could promote the sector’s interests to MPs and Parliamentary bodies. The service is keen to hold similar events for NALC and county associations in the future.
Parliamentary Outreach: https://tinyurl.com/4vv5ddx5
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NALC at Green Party conference
The Autumn political party conferences began last week with the Green Party meeting in Manchester from 6 to 8 September, where they celebrated the return of a record four MPs to Parliament following the general election. In his conference speech, co-leader Adrian Ramsay MP also spoke about the growing number of Greens being elected at every level and becoming the biggest party on more councils. NALC head of policy and communications, Justin Griggs, was at the conference to promote the sector, addressing a packed Local Government Association reception co-hosted with NALC, where among the other speakers was NALC’s vice-president Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle. We also held a drop-in/Q&A session on the Association of Green Councillors stand for attendees to learn more about the work of local councils, county associations and NALC.
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Plunkett UK annual general meeting
NALC’s Rural Coalition partners, Plunkett UK held their online meeting on 11 September, which was attended by the NALC Chief Executive. I was pleased to see the work of the Rural Coalition and its vision for rural areas mentioned in their excellent annual report, which I’d encourage you to check out. The meeting also supported a 12.5% increase in membership fees. Can I encourage you to contact Plunkett UK if your council or anyone in your community is considering starting a community business – which can range from village shops, pubs and cafes through to woodlands, fisheries and farms – and do also check out NALC’s Good Councillor Guide to community business.
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NALC blog: Interest Rates – where do they go from here?
Rob Evans, senior portfolio manager, Cash Investment, CCLA
The blog discusses the Bank of England’s recent decision to cut the official bank rate by 0.25%. This marks the first cut since the pandemic and follows a period of economic uncertainty, with inflation persisting above expectations. Despite the rate cut, the Bank of England remains cautious, emphasising that monetary policy must stay restrictive to curb inflation. The blog highlights that future rate cuts will likely be gradual, with economic data and forecasts playing a key role in shaping further decisions.
Read the blog: https://tinyurl.com/34tkvyh8
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Help API Create a Pathway to Play: Take Action Today!
The Association of Play Industries (API) is excited to share an important opportunity for you to help shape the future of outdoor play in the UK. As part of their Pathway to Play campaign, the API is calling on all members and supporters to take action to ensure that children’s play is a top priority for the new government in their first Budget on 30 October.
Why this matters
The newly elected government has the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children by investing in public playgrounds. API’s campaign highlights the urgent need for more and better play spaces to combat rising childhood obesity and mental health issues.
How you can get involved
API has created a template letter that you can personalise and send to your local MP, urging them to support the Pathway to Play campaign. By highlighting the need for a national audit of playgrounds, long-term funding for play spaces and the integration of outdoor learning in schools, your voice can help make play a priority.
Read the article in full: https://www.slcc.co.uk/help-api-create-a-pathway-to-play-take-action-today/
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LCC warn of parking penalty scam
LCC warns all to be wary, don’t respond to texts, deal with parking ticket details directly.
A scam trying to get money fraudulently via text messages about parking fines is doing the rounds in Lincolnshire. Starting with words along the lines of ‘Parking Penalty Charge Notice’ text messages are being sent out claiming that an outstanding parking ticket is due to be paid.
If you, or anyone you know, is sent one of these messages then ignore it. Any parking charges are to be paid or contested via the details on the back of the actual ticket itself. Do not try to resolve a parking issue, or pay a PCN charge, via any other route. You will NOT be contacted by text message regarding a PCN charge in this way - ever.
Read more: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/2037/parking-penalty-scam-doing-the-rounds
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Loss of relief road funding could deal massive blow to Lincolnshire
Members of the LCC Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee discussed the economic impacts of the North Hykeham Relief Road potentially not being built.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “Today’s meeting was eye-opening, giving councillors a stark look at the economic blow Lincolnshire would face if central government pulls back its £110 million earmarked for the North Hykeham Relief Road.
"Losing this funding would mean not being able to unlock land for 4,500 homes and 7 hectares of employment space, but also missing out on £350 million in economic benefits over the next sixty years. That's a massive blow to our county – and there’s absolutely no way the county council would be able to find £110 million to fill the gap.
"We’ve already poured £14 million into the project, secured planning permission, and are just over a year away from breaking ground. We’ve got support from Dr Caroline Johnson MP and have also reached out to Lincoln’s new MP and the transport secretary, urging them to safeguard this vital project.
"We’ve done all we can. Now, we wait – hoping for the right decision."
Below are some of the additional points raised during the meeting by officers and councillors:
• Newark Road would see a 10-20% reduction in traffic during the relief road’s opening year and Cross O’ Cliff Hill would see a 10-25% reduction
• If delayed, the project’s cost would increase due to inflation and rising construction costs over the coming years
• The current value for money estimates of £2.31 for every £1 spent would diminish if construction of the road doesn’t start in 2025, as planned
• It would be very difficult to reduce the amount of HGV traffic through local villages if the relief road is not built, as restricting HGV use of certain routes would overload other local roads that are not equipped to handle the traffic
• With some housing already progressing in the southeast quadrant, the lack of a North Hykeham Relief Road could lead to increased traffic and strain on infrastructure, creating a long-term problem
• Postponing construction of the relief road could undermine the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan to a degree which could encourage speculative ‘guerrilla’ planning applications, resulting in housing being built in unsuitable locations without the proper hard and soft infrastructure vital for successful communities
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HSE Call for Evidence on Policy to Prevent and Manage Work-Related Stress
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is funding a new research project, Occupational Stress Consultation and Research (OSCAR), to gather insights on work-related stress. The results will inform policy decisions and create practical guidance for employers.
HSE is seeking input to understand how work-related stress is discussed and managed in the real world, the barriers people face, and examples of best practice. They invite contributions from employers, clinicians, occupational health/wellbeing leads, advisory agencies, support charities, professional bodies, unions, academics to share their recommended practices, guidance resources and trusted literature in the field of work-related stress.
The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2024. Submissions are anonymous, and personal information is not required.
To take part: https://www.affinityhealthatwork.com/oscarcallforevidence
Or email oscar@affinityhealthatwork.com
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Delay to the Procurement Act 2023
On 12 September 2024, a Written Ministerial Statement was published in Parliament announcing that the new Procurement Act 2023 has been delayed. Originally set to go live on 28 October 2024, the new date for the Act’s commencement is now 24 February 2025.
The delay allows time for the development of a new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) that will align with the government’s strategic priorities to create ‘a mission-led procurement regime which builds on the transformative powers within the Act, and which meets the challenge of applying the full potential of public procurement to deliver value for money, economic growth and social value.’ Once completed, this new NPPS will replace the National Procurement Policy Statement which was laid in Parliament by the previous government on 13 May 2024.
In order to support the preparation for the Procurement Act 2023, the government is publishing a suite of guidance documents. These cover a wide range of aspects of the new regime, such as transitional arrangements, pre-market engagement, award rules, exclusions and contract modifications.
Procurement Act 2023: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/transforming-public-procurement
Ministerial statement: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-09-12/hcws90
Guidance documents: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents
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NALC and SLCC welcome the introduction of Martyn’s Law in parliament
NALC and SLCC have welcomed the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law. The Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on 12 September 2024 and is set for its second reading on 14 October 2024.
This landmark legislation is designed to enhance public safety by mitigating risks posed by acts of terrorism. It applies to qualifying buildings and events, with a focus on ensuring larger venues have documented security plans and robust measures in place to protect against potential threats.
In response to the Bill, NALC and SLCC have jointly established the Martyn’s Law Steering Group, ensuring a coordinated approach to supporting local councils. The sector’s concerns have been actively shared with the Home Office.
Both NALC and SLCC welcome the Bill’s proportionate and practical measures, stressing the importance of communities across the country being vigilant, resilient, and prepared for potential terrorist risks. Both organisations are committed to ensuring the first tier of local government is equipped to handle the new responsibilities.
The Bill also introduces clearer guidelines, including revisions to the qualifying capacities for venues and events, alongside an expanded role for the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The SIA will take on crucial duties such as monitoring compliance, issuing notices, and overseeing terrorism risk assessments.
The updates promise a more robust framework for managing terrorism risks in public spaces, with enhanced procedures, enforcement measures, and a strengthened role for regulatory bodies. This will bring much-needed clarity to local councils.
Read the full story: https://tinyurl.com/3sujzj92
Read the bill: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3765
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NALC National Network: Women councillors
NALC’s women councillors network met on 11 September 2024 to discuss the support ElectHer can offer, aspiring higher in politics and code of conduct issues. Katie McSherry, project manager at ElectHer, presented to the network the challenges women face in elected positions and the support offered by ElectHer, including their InspireHer, EquipHer, and SupportHer programmes. The discussion covered the need for safe spaces to address misogyny and bullying in local government and the importance of documenting such incidents. There were also discussions about code of conduct issues and the need for structural changes. Challenges related to childcare and intersectionality were highlighted, with suggestions for improving support for diverse women in politics. The next meeting will take place on 31 October 2024.
Find out more about this network: https://tinyurl.com/ym6xrzz4
ElectHER: https://tinyurl.com/65rukehd
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Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS)
LCAS celebrates the best of local councils, helps them develop their potential, and recognises those that are well-run and meet required standards. 8 councils received the Quality Gold Award, 8 councils were awarded the Quality Award and 19 councils were granted the Foundation Award. Well done to everyone involved!
See the list: https://tinyurl.com/2ar77npk
The criteria have been updated following a recent review, and a free webinar is being held on 17 October. This offers an opportunity to learn about changes, how to apply, and the benefits of participating. New applications to the scheme will need to follow the new criteria from January 2025.
A free webinar is being held on 17 October, about the scheme’s new criteria:
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Bluetongue: updates for Lincolnshire
Temporary control zones are in place after cases of bluetongue have been identified in and around Lincolnshire.
What is bluetongue?
Bluetongue is a disease which affects cattle, sheep, goats, deer, alpacas and llamas (ruminants and camelids). It is caused by a virus that is spread by biting midges. It does not affect people or food safety. Meat and milk are safe to eat and drink.
Read more: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/2040/bluetongue-updates-for-lincolnshire
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