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 latest Training Bulletin can be found on the LALC website.

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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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 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.

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.

The NALC Recruitment Manual (developed as part of the Civility & Respect project) is now available via the portal. Go into Knowledgebase and click on the ‘Employment’ card and enter ‘recruitment’ in the search box.  

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LALC Summer Conference and Shining Stars Awards

The LALC Summer Conference took place this week at The Bentley Hotel. Over 90 delegates attended the event, and the feedback has been very positive.

Delegates were treated to an interactive session run by Clive Wilson from the United Nations Association Greater Lincolnshire, promoting new thinking and actions by local councils to promote the attainment of the UN2030 goals. Joining Clive was Dan Clayton, sharing Lincolnshire County Council’s support for sustainable projects in parishes.

Workshops were on offer from CCLA (Investment Opportunities for Local Authorities), BHIB (Cyber Security), Amy Lennox (Funding). Delegates also had the chance to interact with a Q&A panel consisting of Cllr Richard Davies (Lincolnshire County Council Highways), John Turner (Integrated Care Board), Alistair Jones (Associate Professor and University Teacher Fellow, De Montfort University) and Phil Clark (Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner).

At the Shining Stars Awards dinner in the evening, Alistair Jones from De Montfort University presented on the Future of the Sector. 

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners in the following categories:

Councillor of the Year (sponsored by Breakthrough Communications): Nominees Alison Buckley-Jones (Heighington Parish Council), Elizabeth Armstrong (Fishtoft Parish Council), Sue Manders (Bracebridge Heath Parish Council), J (Fred) Wright (Silk Willoughby Parish Council), W H (Bill) Thackray (Silk Willoughby Parish Council), David Newsam (Nettleham Parish Council), Karen Harrison (Witham St Hughes Parish Council), Fiona Martin (Horncastle Town Council) and winner, Keith Parker (Metheringham Parish Council).

Young Councillor of the Year (sponsored by SCIS): Winner Chris Callan (Bracebridge Heath Parish Council).

Large Council of the Year (sponsored by Blachere Illuminations): Winners Ruskington Parish Council

Small Council of the Year (sponsored by CCLA): Winners Great Gonerby Parish Council

Clerk of the Year (sponsored by Kompan): Nominees Rowena Boden (Pointon Parish Council), Rachel Popplewell (Eagle & Swinethorpe Parish Council), Kirsty Sinclair (Ruskington Parish Council), Emma Portas (Holton-le-Clay Parish Council) and winner, Shelagh McIntyre (Swaton Parish Council).

Special Recognition Award (sponsored by the late Tony Mee, former Councillor of Mablethorpe & Sutton Town Council): Nominees Nikki Briscoe (Heighington Parish Council), Jenny Crow (Irnham Parish Council), Steve Fletcher (Mablethorpe & Sutton Town Council), Jason Taylor (deceased – formerly Heydour Parish Council) and winner, Janet Milson (Keelby Parish Council).

If any of the Shining Stars nominees or winners would like a high-resolution copy of their presentation photos, please contact elaine.atkin@lalc.co.uk

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Dressing up the roads network

Road improvements are happening across our county this summer on a scale that’s mind-blowing.

Surface dressing is ‘chips with everything’. Stone chips. 

It’s definitely something that you’ve seen on roads near you and (in this most financially chaste of times) it’s comparatively affordable AND puts a decade’s more life on the roads it’s used on.

For those of us who are not civil engineering types, we know it as those small stone chips that are put down on the road meaning a drop in the speed limit for a bit. In short, it’s very useful when we’re talking about a way to make struggling roads better to drive on. 

And because of those positives around surface dressing, the people who look after the roads in our County are currently working on a resurfacing scheme the size of which is jaw-dropping.

Now underway, LCC Highways is actioning £5 million worth of surface dressing for Lincolnshire that will run through to the end of July (ish) - it might be a bit longer than that if the weather turns a bit soggy or gets extremely hot again. 

The headline figures have it as £5 million being spent. At 150 sites. In a bit over 40 days. That’s a gigantic covering of a lot of our huge rural roads network. 

In total, there’s 137 miles of Lincs roads getting the stone chip makeover – that's enough to cover a road running from Lincoln to Liverpool. 

21,000 tonnes of material are going to be put down to extend the life of the roads in a much more resilient way than simple pothole patching. Surface dressing is an effective way to make roads good and it’s more environmentally friendly than you may think, too.

12,000 tonnes of that original 21 will be recycled aggregate (basically, sweepings from the road that come from last season’s works).  

Summer Surface Dressing 2023 – 150 sites countywide: https://youtu.be/zYmaWdTwKqU

Cllr Richard Davies, Executive member for Highways is a big fan of surface dressing and says that the summer season will be a boost for many: “It’s one of the real hero methods for getting more life out of a road with a fraction of the cost of having to dig a road up and rebuild it.

“And because of that, we get to get more return for our money. It’s so cost-effective that surface dressing in this way comes in at just 1/10th what we’d spend on alternative materials to achieve a similar result. 

“It’s much quicker to lay, too.”

A staggering 30,000 square metres can be laid in just one day (that’s around two-and-a-half time as big as Trafalgar Square) and – probably the best bit – the works don’t always require a full road closure. 

“With the programme we have planned across the summer we will get roads that are better to drive on, last longer and are easier to maintain. The surface dressing will also help to prevent or reduce pothole proliferation and it seals the surface from water, which makes the whole road more resilient. 

“So surface dressing is a vitally important part of how we are working on maintaining the roads network in as financially efficient a way as possible. And the scale on which we are putting these measures into practice over the summer will give Lincolnshire a big boost ahead of next winter.”

For the most up to date roadworks information in your area, visit https://one.network

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NALC online event recordings

NALC have made our online event recordings freely available on the NALC website! Since launching in 2020, NALC's online events have been incredibly successful and popular – last year's events saw over 2,000 attendees! These events covered climate change, community engagement and outreach, communication strategies, funding, housing, planning and social isolation. I would encourage all colleagues in the local council sector and those interested in it to continue attending our online events to learn more about topical subjects and discuss critical issues.

Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/2p8yath3 and select Past Events

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Help improve the Practitioners' Guide

The Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) produces the Practitioners' Guide, which contains the proper practices regarding the governance and accounts of smaller authorities, including local councils. The guide is updated annually with input from various groups and individuals. NALC have created a new online form to make it even easier to submit your questions or suggestions to JPAG about the next update of the guide.

https://tinyurl.com/svu8c57c

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NALC Blog: Tackling climate change and protecting nature in our council and communities

https://tinyurl.com/4r9heutb

Author: Jake Woodier, senior media and campaigns manager at The Climate Coalition

Climate change and protecting our natural world is the greatest challenge of our time. It requires urgent and collaborative action from government through to local councils and our communities. While national and international efforts are crucial, there is great hope and belief in the change that takes place at the local level.

Local (parish and town) councils, along with their communities, have a unique opportunity to spearhead initiatives in the places they know best, that contribute to a more sustainable future. By taking proactive steps towards mitigating climate change and promoting environmentally friendly practices, these grassroots efforts can make a huge and inspiring difference for years to come. We explore a few of the ways local councils and communities in the UK can get involved in tackling climate change and create more climate-friendly environments.

1. Communications: One of the first steps towards creating climate and nature-friendly communities is to communicate about the impacts of climate change and loss of nature, and the potential solutions. Councils can organise a variety of events, workshops, and public meetings to engage people in conversation about the issues, and what can be done collectively. By inviting experts and environmental organisations from the area, residents can engage with valuable insights and share practical tips on building sustainable communities. Engaging schools and community groups in various positive environmental projects and incorporating climate change education into the classroom can foster a sense of responsibility and empower younger generations to take action.

2. Sustainable Practices: Councils can lead by example by adopting sustainable practices within their own operations. This includes using renewable and environmentally conscious utility and service suppliers, and utilising sustainable procurement policies. By partnering with local businesses, councils can encourage them to adopt sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting renewable energy sources. Councils can use their spending power to support the greenest businesses and suppliers in the local area which can act as a catalyst for others to improve to stand a chance of getting contracts, while supporting the local economy. Councils can also explore opportunities for renewable energy generation within their areas, such as providing space on public buildings or land for community-owned wind turbines and/or solar panels.

3. Encouraging low-carbon travel: Promoting active transportation, such as walking and cycling, is a great way to reduce emissions and local pollution, leading to improved public health. Local councils can develop and maintain safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, including dedicated paths and bike-sharing schemes, as well as providing plenty of space for bike storage where needed. Collaborating with local schools, businesses, and community groups, councils can organise walking and cycling events to promote reducing reliance on personal cars. Councils can also take measures to encourage use of public transport and do what they can to ensure it is affordable, reliable and accessible.

4. Promoting nature and green space: Town and parish councils can work with communities to establish community gardens, allotments, and green corridors, creating restored green areas for wildlife and to stimulate local food production and knowledge. Additionally, tree planting initiatives can improve air quality, reduce the impacts of flooding, provide shade and opportunities for volunteers and employment. By involving volunteers and community groups, councils can deploy resources and expertise to restore and maintain natural habitats, making areas more resilient to climate change while creating a sense of pride in the community.

5. Collaboration and Partnerships: Town and parish councils can play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration. Engaging with adjacent councils, NGO and community groups, businesses, and community groups can unlock shared knowledge, resources, and funding opportunities. Collaboration can involve joint initiatives, such as community energy projects, waste management schemes, or climate and nature action campaigns such as joining in with Great Big Green Week in June 2024. By building strong partnerships, local councils can amplify their impact and drive positive change on a larger scale.

Local councils and communities have the power to create climate and nature-friendly environments that contribute to the fight against climate change and protection and restoration of nature. By communicating, implementing sustainable practices, encouraging greener transportation, promoting green spaces, and catalysing collaboration, they can lead the way towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

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Grants of up to £10,000 Available for Projects Benefiting Young People During the Summer Holidays (England)

The National Lottery Community Fund has announced that it is making up to £3 million available this summer through its Awards for All Programme to support projects benefiting young people, primarily aged 11 to 18 (and up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities).

This is the first phase of funding of the Million Hours Fund, which totals £11 million up to March 2025.

Grants ranging from £300 to £10,000 are available, and the funding should be used to provide positive activities for young people. The projects should be led by trusted adults, such as qualified youth workers, youth support workers, or experienced volunteers. The funding is intended to be spent over the 2023 summer holidays.

To be eligible for the funding, projects must take place in eligible wards in England with high reported incidents of antisocial behaviour. The projects must offer additional youth provision, start during or before the 2023 school summer holidays, primarily benefit young people aged 11 to 18 (up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities), and effectively engage with young people at risk of antisocial behaviour.

Eligible organisations include voluntary or community organisations, groups or clubs, registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), not-for-profit companies, community interest companies (CICs), schools (if the project involves the surrounding communities), statutory bodies (including local authorities, town, parish, and community councils), and community benefit societies.

Applications can be submitted at any time until 12 noon on 14th August 2023.

Useful Links: https://tinyurl.com/3zs3kyxr

More info:

Organisation name: National Lottery Community Fund - Million Hours Fund

Deadline: 14-08-2023

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VoterID – Early Analysis from the Electoral Commission

The requirement to provide photographic identification when voting at polling stations came into effect in England at the recent 4 May Council elections. Around 27 million electors were eligible to vote at these elections.

As the independent watchdog which oversees elections to help promote public confidence in this democratic process, regulates election related finance and spending, the Electoral Commission has published some early analysis around Voter ID.  Data suggests that nationally approximately 14,000 voters who went to a polling station were not able to vote as a result of not being able to show ID – around 0.7% of people who tried to vote at a polling station were initially turned away but around two thirds of those people (63%) returned later in the day and were able to vote.  

Nationally 89,552 people applied for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline and approximately 25,000 certificates were used as a form of ID on 4 May.

In North Kesteven, just under 70,000 electors were eligible to vote at the contested elections, of which just under 15,000 voted.  Initially 36 electors were not issued with a ballot paper. During the day 18 electors returned with accepted ID and were able to vote. Overall, there was 28.2 % turnout across the district.

Those who do not have one of the accepted types of Photo ID, can apply at any time for a Voter Authority Certificate.  

Applications can also be made by paper form and there is available support by appointment at the District Council offices that can include taking a photo for you if you need us too. 

Elections can be called at any time and there will be a General (Parliamentary) Election within the next 18 months – so good to be as prepared as possible. Note: Voter identification requirement comes into force for UK Parliamentary General Elections held on or after 5 October 23.

Anything that local councils can do to continue to promote this change is greatly appreciated. 

There will be a full report later in the autumn that will include feedback from a wider range of sources. 

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NALC Star Council awards – last chance to vote!

Time is running out to submit your nominations for the NALC Star Council Awards 2023 celebrating the achievements of the local (parish and town) council sector.

The Star Council Awards are the only awards programme in England specifically designed to acknowledge the impact and contribution of local councils in their communities. The awards are open to all local councils, councillors, clerks, and county associations across England.

This year, there are five award categories for which entrants can apply: 

• Council of the Year – Sponsored by Blachere Illumination

• Councillor of the Year – Sponsored by Breakthrough Communications

• Young Councillor of the Year – Sponsored by DCK Accounting Solutions

• County Association of the Year – Sponsored by CCLA

• Clerk of the Year – Sponsored by Cloudy IT

The award categories have been carefully selected to recognise excellence in different areas of local council operations and highlight the varied contributions made by councils.

Further details:

https://www.nalc.gov.uk/starcouncilawards?mc_cid=0a857b931f&mc_eid=55cf3210cb 

starcouncilawards@nalc.gov.uk

The nomination period ends on 28 July 2023, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in the House of Lords on 29 November 2023, where they will be presented with their awards.

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How to set up your new councillors on the portal (login required)

Following the May elections, you will now have a new council in place, and this is the ideal time for clerks to update your council’s records on the LALC portal. 

We are continuing to receive emails from former councillors asking us to remove them from our mailing lists. Clerks – can you please ensure that your council’s records are up to date on the portal.

Once logged in, on your dashboard, go to Organisation Contacts.

To add a new councillor

Click on Add Contact. In the Create New Contact screen, add in the councillor details. Under Role(s), select ‘Councillor’. Then click ‘Create & Invite Contact’. (*You must have a role ticked otherwise it won’t let you save the record).

*Don’t worry if it doesn’t display ‘Councillor’ against this person when you view all your contacts – it is flagged correctly in the back-end system. Our software supplier is aware.

To remove someone who is no longer a councillor

Select the record and then ‘Edit’. Then click on ‘Remove Contact’.

Change of chair

If your previous Chair is still a councillor, edit their record. Untick the ‘Chair’ role. Tick the ‘Councillor’ role, if it is not already ticked. Then ‘Update Details’. (*You must have a role ticked otherwise it won’t let you save the record).

Your system will only permit one Chair, so you must untick the old Chair before allocating your new Chair.

On the new chair’s record, edit, tick ‘Chair’ then ‘Update Details’. *You do not need to un-tick ‘Councillor’.

Change of clerk

If the clerk changes, please notify LALC as we need to ensure that all relevant records have been updated correctly and that the new clerk is given access to the portal.

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BHIB Health & Wellbeing Newsletter

In this second quarterly article, we will explore the importance of supporting and encouraging employees with their personal wellbeing. By prioritising the health and wellbeing of employees, employers can create a positive work culture, increase employee satisfaction and engagement, and ultimately improve their overall performance.

We will discuss the benefits of promoting a healthy work-life balance, encouraging regular exercise and healthy eating habits, and providing mental health support and resources to employees. With this knowledge, companies can implement effective strategies for promoting employee wellbeing and reap the benefits of a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.

The full newsletter can be found here: https://thecleargroup.uk.com/1TVK-8C45N-29409A3C6DD85E80IP4V047733FA0B1D49491/cr.aspx

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What is the digital switchover? 

The UK’s telephone network is changing. Between now and 2025 most telephone providers will be moving their customers from old analogue landlines over to new upgraded landline services using digital technology. The new network will provide a future proof, more reliable and dependable broadband service that will support the UK for decades to come. 

This means services that rely on the old landline system such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.

 Why is it happening? 

The PSTN is a privately-owned analogue telecoms network and the decision to upgrade it has been taken by the telecommunications industry. Fixed-line operators - such as Openreach, BT and Virgin Media O2 - will replace analogue telephone services with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, which carries voice calls as data using internet technology. The upgrade will be delivered by the telecoms industry in a phased approach over the next couple of years, with the UK network expected to be fully upgraded to VoIP services in 2025. The switchover will happen on a telephone exchange by exchange basis and not on a regional basis seen in relation to the switchover of analogue television. 

What are the implications? 

For most people this change will be straightforward. Many are already making the switch when they upgrade to full fibre broadband, and the change may be as simple as plugging the home phone into the broadband router rather than the socket on the wall.

Telecoms providers such as Virgin Media O2 or BT should contact customers before the switchover to check in to make sure their service isn’t affected.

However, the switchover has implications for the telecare and TEC sector, and the 2 million people who rely on those services in the UK. This means anyone with telecare services should check how the switchover will affect them, and what they need to do to be ready, so their care isn’t disrupted. 

Digital landlines cannot carry a power connection, so in the event of a power cut they will not work. Mobile phones can still be used, but if the customer doesn't have any other means of calling the emergency services their telecoms provider will offer a solution to allow calls to be made to emergency services.

The digital switchover is fast approaching and will impact on a whole range of vital services, including in adult social care.

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Operation Bridge – Future Changes Being Planned

Central Government and Buckingham Palace administrators will be reviewing plans which helped inform the protocol and arrangements in place for the death of the Monarch, the late Queen Elizabeth II. 

This review could not have been progressed until the Coronation was concluded and we understand the discussions include making the plan broader ‘Responding to an Event of National Significance’ to include Royals/National Figures, emergency situations e.g. Manchester, Grenfell, London Borough Market etc.

It is going to take some time to incorporate lessons learned and understand future plans. 

It is important to emphasise the ongoing sensitivity that should be displayed around this and that plans/information should not be published in the public domain.

In the meantime, current plans that reflect the arrangements in place for the late Queen Elizabeth II should be used until new guidelines are shared.

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