Please forward this email to elected members for news on training offers and key messages for the sector.
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CIVILITY & RESPECT PROJECT | It's a while since I updated members on the work being undertaken by our national body NALC and the Society of Local Council Clerks. Attached is the project's latest newsletter where you will see details of a pledge and bespoke training for both clerks and councillors. We will be tapping into these resources for parish and town councils.
The topic of conduct and standards in public life will feature at the Clerks' Conference on 14 September. This is an important area for councils to focus on for 2023 where our attention will turn to promoting the role of local councillors ahead of the May 2024 elections. Conduct can be one of the main barriers to filling council seats and also creating turnover in clerks.
There are a series of new courses that have just been released by the project which councillors, clerks and councils as whole can tap into. These will feature in a one off Training e-news next week. The courses focus very much on the behavioural aspects of conduct. Look out for the communication next week.
WORKING TOGETHER WEBINARS | This week we held the latest in our webinar series and the topic for Dorset Council was the future libraries strategy and consultation. Thanks to those attending and Liz Crocker and Lisa Cotton from Dorset Council for presenting and taking questions. The video and support material can be viewed on our dedicated webpage: Working Together Webinars
PLANNING TRIO | We have just agreed new dates for the end of 2022 for our popular planning trio with Dr. Andrea Pellegram. For the dates and times and to register click here: DAPTC PLANNING TRIO
DAPTC AUGUST e-news | There will be a break next week from the e-news with the next publication being 19th August 2022.
DORSET COUNCIL LOCAL PLAN UPDATE | Dorset Council published an update from their cabinet this week. You can read the full news article here and video recording.NEWS - DORSET COUNCIL LOCAL PLAN
Clerks please look out for your email invite to 14th September conference at Kingston Maurward which will be out today - Registration is now open
** NEW ** 1. Green Flag Awards 2022 won by Dorset councils
As part of the Love Parks Week run by Keep Britain Tidy a number of awards have been received by town councils in Dorset. The councils who have been given the prestigious awards for parks and open spaces within their towns are listed below:
Congratulations to all the towns who worked so hard to achieve the awards!
** NEW ** 2. Do you need some Capital Funding for a project?
Are you looking to make a difference to people living in your community? Do you need some capital funding for your project? Dorset Council launched a new grant earlier this year to support not for profit community and cultural organisations, including Parish and Town Councils, to deliver new and improved facilities for local communities.
The Capital Leverage Fund can help fund a range of projects, including village hall or community building enhancements, renovations, maintenance, or new build projects, including car parks, play areas, multi-use games areas, theatres, community sports clubs, sports pitches and landscaping.
Applications are welcome for projects that help to address climate change themes, new public art, or heritage capital projects including accredited museums.
You can apply for a capital grant of between £1,000 and £25,000, to fund up to 20% of your total project costs. For more details on criteria, fund aims, and how to complete your application form please follow the link to the CL Fund webpage on the Dorset Council website.
Applications can only be accepted via the online application form. Applications will close at 12pm on Friday 6 January 2023. The next assessment panel is taking place next month so applications for this round need to be submitted no later than 12 September 2022.
** NEW ** 3. Have you received any odd emails from DAPTC?
We've been advised by some of our members that you are receiving spam emails from DAPTC this week, main along the lines of advising you of an 'Email Compromise Alert'. When you receive something in your inbox that looks suspicious you can first of all check the 'From' email address to see if you think it looks correct.
Be alert!
** NEW ** 4. Sign up for the free service at the Cyber Resilience Centre for the South West
Following on from the item above you may be interested in signing up to the Cyber Resilience Centre for the South West. For all the information on the free service follow the link here for their informative website.
** NEW ** 5. Have your council insurance premiums gone up?
Parish Council sector insurance brokers BHIB give a general view on what is driving insurance premiums up so that you can explain some of the reasons to councillors when renewing your agreements. Find out more here.
For further information on the charter and how to sign up contact the Dorset Watch Association here.
NALC On-Line Events
Working between the Tiers - 28th September 2022 12pm - 1.15pm Click herefor more information
** NEW ** Local Councils and communications strategies - 26th October 2022 12pm - 1.15pm Click herefor more information
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
