Documents
LAIS 1383 Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill
Local Associations Information Service
LAIS 1383 Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill
Mon, 09 Nov 2015
LAIS 1386 National Living Wage
Local councils will wish to be aware that from 1 April 2016 Government's National Living Wage comes into force and any pay rates lower than this for relevant employees will have to be adjusted. Relevant employees are those aged 25 or over and it is set at a lower rate than the Living Wage.
Any employer affected by the change should understand the difference between the forthcoming National Living Wage and the ongoing Living Wage. Government's National Living Wage is compulsory from 1 April 2016 and is based on median earnings. The optional Living Wage, established by the Living Wage Foundation, is calculated according to the cost of living.?From 1 April 2016 the National Living Wage will be £7.20 per hour countrywide compared to the Living Wage which is currently £8.25 outside of London.
Councils should check that any employee aged under 25 is paid at least the relevant rate of National Minimum Wage and those aged 25 or over at least the National Living Wage from 1 April 2016.
Thu, 10 Mar 2016
LAIS 1387 Apprenticeships
With National Apprenticeship Week approaching (14-18 March), local councils with full-time capacity might wish to consider the opportunities presented by employing an apprentice. Government has made a commitment of 3 million new apprenticeships starting in England between 2015 and 2020. Apprenticeships are full-time paid jobs which incorporate on and off the job training. A successful apprentice will receive a nationally recognised qualification on the completion of their contract.
Thu, 10 Mar 2016
LAIS 1388 Planning Changes - Consultation
LAIS 1388 Planning Changes
The "Technical Consultation on Implementation of Planning Changes" - this consultation closes on 15 April 2016
Thu, 07 Apr 2016
LAIS 1390 - Governance and Accountability Guide
LAIS 1390 - Governance and Accountability Guide
In the midst of audit season, councils will be interested to know that new guidance, Governance and Accountability for Smaller Authorities in England, A Practitioners' Guide to Proper Practices to be applied in the preparation of statutory annual accounts and governance statements March 2016, has been published. Councils will be aware that this is essential reference material for councillors, clerks, Responsible Finance Officers and any council staff who have a financial management role.
Councils should not be too concerned that the appearance of the Guide is late for application for the accounting practice and Annual Returns currently underway as it is optional whether to apply it for 2015-2016. Councils can still refer to the predecessor Governance and Accountability (England) - Practitioners Guide 2014 for the 2015-2016 accounts. It has apparently been published now as some councils wanted to choose to apply it to 2015-16.
Tue, 03 May 2016
LAIS General Update November 2015
Local Associations Information Service
LAIS General Update November 2015
Mon, 09 Nov 2015
LAIS Updates on consultations, and discussion documents
Roundup (March 2016) of current and recent consultations, discussion documents, reviews and information sources.
Thu, 31 Mar 2016
LAIS1385 Public Service Ombudsman
LAIS1385 - Public Service Ombudsman
Update on Government consultation "Strengthening Parish and Town Council Accountability : Consultation on Extending the Remit of the Local Government Ombudsman to Larger Parish and Town Councils".
Tue, 02 Feb 2016
Legal Briefing (LO5 15) Public Contracts Regulations
Public Contracts Regulations 2015 - (LO5 -15 impact on the standing orders and financial regulations adopted by councils) have been updated because the financial thresholds in the Public Contracts Directive 2014/24/EU which apply to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 were amended in November 2015 and take effect from 1 January 2016.
Tue, 12 Jan 2016
Legal Briefing L02-17 The Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity
Includes guidance on purdah.
Mon, 24 Apr 2017
Legal Briefing L03-17: Reform of data protection legislation and introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation
Briefing on the additional responsibilities on councils due to the General Data Protection Regulation, to be introduced from May 2018.
Thu, 18 May 2017
Legal Topic Note 54 - Protection of Ownerless Common Land and Village Greens
Updated guidance on this topic
Wed, 09 Aug 2017
Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Commencement Orders (April 2015)
NALC Finance Topic Note "Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Commencement Orders" (April 2015)
(External Audit arrangements current and future positions)
Wed, 29 Apr 2015
Local Council Award Scheme application form
Application form and guidance for the Local Council Award scheme
Tue, 10 Jan 2017
Managing Employees' Performance
Managing Employees' Performance
Throughout 2015 we have encountered a number of Councils who struggle to manage either problems with their Employees' performance or behaviour, or to resolve staff grievances and complaints.
This is perfectly understandable, as most Town and Parish Councils employ small numbers of staff and don't experience these issues on a regular basis. Furthermore, the Council, who make up the 'management team', have not been selected for their managerial skills, but for their interest in the Community / Parish. However, when problems occur, it is they who are ultimately responsible for managing the process.
Mistakes can be costly, potentially resulting in claims for Unfair / Constructive Dismissal which could result in an Employee being awarded up to one years income. Furthermore, discrimination claims can result in unlimited compensation being awarded.
Consequently, it would be prudent for Councillors to ensure that they have a basic grasp of how to manage staff grievance and disciplinary matters, to ensure that they can address these issues when they occur.
Help can be found in the ACAS Grievance and Disciplinary procedures, which provide Employers with basic guidance on how to manage these problems. However, to help Councils we are providing the fundamental steps to take Councils through the basic steps - please open the document for full details.
Wed, 23 Dec 2015
Model Financial Regulations (NALC) January 2016 (England)
Updated financial regulations.
Mon, 24 Apr 2017
Model Standing Orders 2018 - England
2018 updated Model Standing Orders for download
Mon, 09 Apr 2018
Model Standing Orders 2018 - Legal Briefing
Briefing explaining the changes to the model standing orders
Mon, 09 Apr 2018
NALC Chairman New Year letter
The Chairman of NALC, Cllr Sue Stockdale, has produced a message for all member councils.
Mon, 16 Jan 2017
NALC Chairman New Year Message 2018
New Year Message to all Parish and Town Councils
Mon, 15 Jan 2018
NALC Financial BriefingF04E-14 Cheques LRO Briefing
Details of the repeal of s.150(5) of Local Government Act 1972 Implementation (England)
Wed, 12 Mar 2014
NALC Local Council Award Scheme
NALC Local Council Award Scheme Launched
The NALC Improvement and Development Board have formally launched the Local Council Award Scheme. Attached is a pdf. of the final scheme guide (a word doc version is available to download from the NALC website for those who prefer).
Information about the scheme, including the LCAS Guide and link to the NALC registration form can be found here:
http://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-work/improvement-and-development/local-council-award-scheme
Guide - http://www.nalc.gov.uk/library/our-work/lcas/1855-local-council-award-scheme-guide-2016-pdf/file
Tue, 06 Jan 2015
NALC Model Standing Orders 2013 - A summary
Overview of the main changes to Model Standing Orders
Thu, 14 Nov 2013
NALC open letter to Councillors 2019
Letter from the Chair of NALC to all parish and town councillors
Thu, 24 Jan 2019
NALC/SLCC Model contract (revised 2011)
NALC/SLCC Model Contract - latest version (revised 2011)
Sun, 26 May 2013
