News
If it isn't written down, it didn't happen........
Anyone who has attended our councillor training will know the above refrain well, we drum it into delegates to protect not only the council, but also themselves.
From weekly playground inspections, to decisions in meetings, there must be a formal written record kept by a parish council in order to protect itself from legal and financial risks.
When it comes to decisions in meetings, the only legal record... Read More »
Posted: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:11 by Jake Atkinson
Not enough interest in interests? Two parish councillors charged
At LRALC we often speak to councillors who are unsure about what formal interests are, and what they mean for the councillor concerned. Indeed, one of the very first news items on this website in 2013 related to the issue. See here.
We have today become aware of two parish councillors (not in our area) who have been charged with participating in discussions and voting in parish council meetings while... Read More »
Posted: Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:53 by Jake Atkinson
Royal Mail heavily restricts counter times at collection offices for parishioners
Royal Mail have, with little visible promotion, if any, suddenly and dramatically reduced the opening times of their collection offices.
Meridian, for example, used to be open 8am-6pm, and even till 7pm on Thursdays. The public can now only visit from 8-10 and 4-6, at best, and for just two hours from 8-10 at worst. To make matters worse, the new times are not on the website, and can only be viewed... Read More »
Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:19 by Jake Atkinson
"I don't need training because.............."
As you'd expect, at LRALC we hear every reason why individual councillors don't need training.
Common excuses are:
1) I'm a doctor/solicitor/accountant/etc, so I don't need training
2) I've been a county/borough/district councillor for years
3) I haven't got time
4) I attended councillor training 10 years ago
5) The dog ate my homework
...and so on.
Without exception, those councillors that don't engage with... Read More »
Posted: Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:45 by Jake Atkinson
Councillors quitting over in-person meetings, survey suggests
Forcing councillors in England to attend meetings in person is leading to some quitting, councils have warned.
A legal requirement to hold full council meetings in person was temporarily dropped during the pandemic but reintroduced in May 2021.
A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) found one in 10 councils had seen members stand down since then due to the change.
See the BBC News item on... Read More »
Posted: Thu, 29 Jun 2023 12:21 by Jake Atkinson
Armed Forces Day 2023
Armed Forces Day 2023 to be held in Leicester City Centre on Saturday 24th June 2023. Parade at 12.15pm followed by an Open Air Service in Green Dragon Square at 1.00pm.
This is a public event, therefore please forward to any groups or individuals you feel would be interested in attending this Armed Forces Day Celebration. Everyone is welcome, no RSVP required.
Posted: Mon, 12 Jun 2023 by admin
New Learning & Development Session for Clerks - Cllr Induction
We have added a new session in response to demand, this time aimed at assisting clerks to put an effective and clear induction program in place for new councillors following the election. The session will provide resources, guidance, templates, and more.
Inducting Your New Councillors: The why, the how, the when, the what.
Course presenter: Jake Atkinson, LRALC CEO / John Kilcoyne, LRALC DCEO
Course outline... Read More »
Posted: Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:37 by Jake Atkinson
LRALC secures NALC support to lobby for changes for local councils
LRALC is not just an advice and training body, we also represent our members and campaign on their behalf.
Thanks to support from LRALC, two proposals from LRALC member councils have now become national policy. Barrowden and Broughton Astley Parish Councils contacted NALC to ask for changes to be made regarding thresholds applicable to local councils in two areas of financial operation, namely:
- Increasing... Read More »
Posted: Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:25 by Jake Atkinson
External Audit - Important Information
The latest version of the Practitioner's Guide was published this week, see here.
It sets out the "proper practices" for the preparation of parish and town council accounts and audits. A list of the changes from the 2022 edition, most of which are minor, is here.
Moore UK, the new external auditor for our area, sent out the annual audit instructions this week by email to every parish and town council... Read More »
Posted: Fri, 24 Mar 2023 10:50 by Jake Atkinson
NALC Update on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
See below for an edited copy of the NALC CEO's update on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
"Two sessions of the Committee Stage of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill were held on 13 March and 15 March, featuring several amendments tabled by Baroness Scott.
Wednesday's [15th] session featured seven amendments covering the suspension of councillors, carer's dependents allowance, review of neighbourhood... Read More »
Posted: Sun, 19 Mar 2023 18:38 by Jake Atkinson
