Documents
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 Updates on consultations, and discussion documents
Roundup (March 2016) of current and recent consultations, discussion documents, reviews and information sources.
Thu, 31 Mar 2016
Circular 07/2016
DALC Circular 07/2016
Full list of all DALC training opportunities 2016
Tue, 29 Mar 2016
Circular 06/2016
DALC Circular 06/2016
- Governance and Accountability for Smaller Authorities in England
- Section 137 Expenditure Limit 2016/17
- Local Council Audits 2015/16
- New External Audit Regime for Smaller Authorities (from 1 April 2017)
- National Living Wage
- DALC Spring Seminar
- An Introduction to Neighbourhood Planning
Thu, 17 Mar 2016
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
Circular 05/2016
DALC Circular 05/2016
- Update on Public Contracts Regulations 2015
- CiLCA 2016/17 training
- Employment Council News
- Community Transport Funding
- Internal Audit and Checklist
- Clerk and RFO template - DALC requirements when advertising vacancies
Thu, 03 Mar 2016
Circular 04/2016
DALC Circular 04/2016
- Grants Roundup
- Training and Events - Mediation training; The Dark Arts of Minutes and Procedures and Clerk's Chat events
- DALC Annual Subs invoices and information
Thu, 03 Mar 2016
Employment Council News - The Easter Bank Holiday Problem
Dealing with the 10 Day 2015/16 Bank Holiday entitlements
Tue, 23 Feb 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
Circular 02/2016
DALC Circular 02/2016
- Revised Legal Topic Notes and Legal Briefing
- Consultation - National Planning Policy Executive Summary
- Consultation - New Homes Bonus
- DALC Executive Vacancies
- DALC Spring Seminar
- Training
- HM Queen's 90th Birthday Celebrations
Tue, 02 Feb 2016
Circular 03/2016
DALC Circular 03/2016
- External Audit for Smaller Authorities
- Transparency Fund
- DALC Subscriptions 2016/2017
- DALC Spring Seminar
- Training
- Vacancies
Tue, 02 Feb 2016
Circular 01/2016
DALC Circular 01/2016
Index of the most important elements of the 2015 DALC Circulars
Tue, 12 Jan 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
Circular 27/2015
DALC Circular 27/2015
- Local Councils Award Scheme (LCAS)
- LCAS Review
- NALC Website update
- Smaller Authorities' Audit Appointments Limited
- Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement
- Spring Seminar – a note for your diaries
- Training Events – 2016
- DALC Subscriptions 2016/2017
- Managing Employees' Performance
Wed, 23 Dec 2015
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
Circular 26/2015
DALC Circular 26/2015
LAIS - Housing - CPRE Report and Spending Review
Revised Legal Topic Notes
Council Processes and Good Practice - your Agenda
Transparency Fund
Auto Enrolment
Wed, 23 Dec 2015
Holymoorside and Walton Parish Council Achieve Quality Status in LCAS
Holymoorside and Walton Parish Council are the first Derbyshire Council to achieve accreditation under the new Scheme, gaining a Quality Status.
Tue, 22 Dec 2015
17 - Control of Dogs
Legal Topic note produced by the National Association of Local Councils Legal Team
LTN 17 – Control of dogs has been generally reviewed and updated (November 2015). The most significant amendments explain public space protection orders (PSPOs) which were introduced by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Under this Act, principal authorities in England and Wales may make PSPOs to, for example, control the presence of dogs in public spaces.
Wed, 02 Dec 2015
LAIS - Housing - CPRE Report and Spending Review
LAIS - Housing – CPRE Report and Spending Review
What is in this for local councils? This LAIS will be of interest to local councils concerned about the impact of Government's housing strategy, insufficient levels of affordable housing, problems integrating sizeable developments with sufficient infrastructure and the sustainability of their community for future generations. A new report has been published by the Campaign for Rural England (CPRE) pointedly called Set up to fail: why housing targets based on flawed numbers threaten our countryside. This comes days before Government's Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015 which contained important announcements on housing, reference to which is also included within this LAIS. |
Tue, 01 Dec 2015
LAIS General Update November 2015
Local Associations Information Service
LAIS General Update November 2015
Mon, 09 Nov 2015
LAIS 1383 Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill
Local Associations Information Service
LAIS 1383 Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill
Mon, 09 Nov 2015
Circular 23/2015
DALC Circular 23/2015
Employment update September 2015 - Beware of bogus self employment
Towards a better understanding of the planning process and the role of local councils
The Transparency Fund for Smaller Local Councils
CiLCA 2015 Training
DALC Direct Banking Detail - Change of Sort Code
Councillor Induction Training
Tue, 29 Sep 2015
Circular 21/2015
DALC Circular 21/2015
- DALC Annual Executive and AGM - Chesterfield Football Club - 10 November 2015 - Nominations for DALC President and Vice Presidents 2015-2016 - Motions for Debate
Tue, 29 Sep 2015
Employment Update September 2015 - Beware Bogus Self-Employment
Employment Update September 2015 - Beware Bogus Self-Employment
Wed, 16 Sep 2015
56 - The provision of play and sports equipment on village greens (revised August 2015)
Legal Topic note produced by the National Association of Local Councils Legal Team - updated August 2015
Thu, 27 Aug 2015
Circular 20/2015
DALC Circular 20/2015
Transparency Code for smaller authorities - important reminder
NALC picked to lead sector-led audit team
Legal Updates and Guidance Notes (following repeal of Public Contracts Regulations 2006)
Community control agenda charged up parish power
Funds to protect WW1 Memorials
Health Assessing Potential Employees
Wed, 19 Aug 2015
