Please forward this email to elected members for news on training offers and key messages for the sector.
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A heads up on some key bits of information either with you already or just about to land:
NALC SMALLER COUNCILS COMMITTEE | A survey and subsequent report commissioned by the NALC's Smaller Councils Committee has been published and for those that completed the survey (Dorset amongst the highest respondents) you may find it an interesting read. I will provide this to our Executive Committee and share it amongst our Area Committees for visibility. The report is comprehensive and provides a 'temperature check' with smaller parishes which of course make up a significant number of our and NALC's membership. Encouragingly it doesn't throw up anything new, more shine a light on some longstanding issues that remain stubbornly present. READ THE REPORT
WORKING TOGETHER WEBINARS | LastTuesday 21st June at 4:00pm was a free to members session in conjunction with Dorset Council on Community Resilience Planning and Preparing for Severe Weather Events. A recording of this session can be found on our 'Working Together' webpage. Next up is an update on libraries from Dorset Council - find out more WORKING TOGETHER WEBPAGE
COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW (CGR) | After the conclusion of the second wave of consultations the next key date is the publication of the meeting papers around 6th July 2022. Dorset Council's meeting on 14th July 2022 is the key date. CGR WEBPAGE & TIMELINE
AUDIT & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE | I wouldn't exactly describe attending Dorset Council's meeting on Wednesday this week as a bucket list activity, however, it was a first for me both fascinating and reassuring. There was a clear commitment to look at the volume and lower level insights on conduct issues going forward.
FORTHCOMING TRAINING & EVENTS | Just a reminder about some dates in the diary over the next 2/3 weeks that may be of interest. More news also to follow on in person events:
DAPTC AGM | We've written to all Clerks to seek any motions for the 2022 AGM in November and the timeline and submission form can be found on our AGM WEBPAGE
E-LEARNING | DAPTC is working closely with our fellow counties across the South West developing some new e-learning modules. If you want to know more about what is available this short video explains all.WATCH VIDEO
Hope you are enjoying the glorious weather - have an enjoyable weekend.
Neil
Monday 1st August is our next webinar with Dorset Council who will give an update on the Lets Talk Libraries consultation FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER
INFORMATION | GUIDANCE | ADVICE
** NEW ** 1. Webinar update on the Dorset Visual Impact Provision project
Following two and a half years of going underground and all the complex engineering and construction that involved, National Grid is now gearing up to do what it originally set out to do and transform the landscape for good by permanently removing the stretch of 22 pylons which for the Dorset Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project just outside Dorchester.
In anticipation for the moment when the pylons themselves are dismantled, National Grid has organised a free webinar to talk people through the incredible work that has happened on site to date - from the vast array of archaeological finds and the ongoing challenge of the British weather to the complex engineering of the steep slopes. They will give you a preview of what is due to happen around the pylons coming down.
Register here to attend the webinar on Thursday 30 June from 1pm until 2pm.
** NEW ** 2. New legislation - councillor disqualification for sexual offences
The Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022, was passed on 28th April 2022 and comes into force on 28th June 2022. The act inserts a new section 81A to the Local Government Act 1972, essentially disqualifying anyone listed on the sex offenders’ register from being a councillor or being elected to a council whilst they are listed on the register. NALC Legal Topic Note 8 will be updated with the relevant detail when the provision comes in to force.
** NEW ** 3. Quiet Lanes initiative in Suffolk
We thought you may be interested to read about the Quiet Lanes initiative that has been successful in the county of Suffolk. These lanes encourage more active travel including walking, cycling and horse-riding, which around 200 local councils have participated in and 350 lanes have been designated. For more information take a look at the details here.
** NEW ** 4. Learn more about Prevent
Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
Listed below are the associated useful links,
- Handbook – although aimed at Unitary level elected members, you may find the Elected Members Handbook very useful.
If any clerks, or town and parish councillors would like to know a bit more about Prevent, please contact Ian Grant of Dorset Council at ian.grant@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
5. New DAPTC Advice Note on the electronic Register of Interests process
You will all recall that last year your councils went through the initial process of creating ROI forms for serving councillors and these forms have been published on the Dorset Council website A-Z of Parish councils.
As time moves on we are now receiving lots of enquiries coming into our inbox regarding the maintenance of the process, i.e. deleting forms for councillors that leave, creating links for councillors who are new to the role etc.
To help you with these procedures we have create a short Advice Note that you can keep handy to remind you of how to do things.
6. An update to guidance for marking the death of a senior national figure.
An email was sent out to all clerks this week which gave an update on the guidance for councils when marking the death of a senior national figure. If your council has not received the information, please get in touch with us at daptc@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and we can send it over to you again.
7. Platinum Jubilee Beacon certificate
Did you parish council organise the lighting of a beacon for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee? Thanks have been send from Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster of the Jubilee celebrations, for taking part in what was a very successful project. You can find the certificate here.
8. Do you use Plant Protection Products?
Does you council have grounds staff that use Plant Protection Products (PPP)? If you do please take a look at this update provided to us by the NALC Legal Team regarding updated legislation
9. 2022/2023 Governance & Accountability for Smaller Authorities in England
The Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) Practitioners' Guide - Governance and Accountability for Smaller Authorities in England, is now available for download for the 2022/23 financial year.
10. Levelling Up The Rural Economy - An Inquiry into Rural Productivity. DAPTC received this interesting paper which will be of keen interest to those in rural parishes and the county as a whole. This touches on the role rural communities can play in relationship to the levelling up agenda. Insightful report.
11. Levelling up - Community Ownership Fund
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has now published a Prospectus for round two of the fund. The £150 million fund helps communities across the whole country to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of closure. The fund is not currently available to local councils however you may wish to promote the fund to groups in your local area.
Just click on the training you are interested in - it's now easy to book courses either with us or our training partners. Don't forget to check with your Clerk before finalising dates/times.
Dementia-friendly Councils - Survey
NALC has published a new survey on dementia-friendly councils.
In 2020, NALC launched a survey to identify the work that local councils are doing to assist those most vulnerable in their communities and gain insight into potential barriers to this progress. Following this, NALC published the Dementia-Friendly Communities guide, demonstrating the positive impact of building dementia-friendly communities and providing our local councils with the tools to help them develop their own.
The latest survey aims to gather feedback on the usage and effectiveness of this publication. All responses will help support local councils in ensuring that people living with dementia and their families continue to be included in all aspects of community life.
NALC is celebrating Pride, a month dedicated to celebrating the LGBT+ community.
NALC On-Line Events
How to review neighbourhood planning policies - 29th June 2022 12pm - 1.15pm Click herefor more information on this event.
Giving local councils more of a say on housing - 27th July 2022 12pm - 1.15pm Click herefor more information on this event.
NALC to hold it's first-ever hybrid conference - Empowering Communities
NALC will hold its first-ever hybrid conference later this year. Empowering Communities takes place on 7 November 2022 between 10am and 4pm at America Square Conference Centre in London.
In person Ticket - up to £130 for NALC member
Virtual Ticket - up to £70 for NALC member
