PREPARING FOR THE POSSIBLE RETURN OF FACE TO FACE MEETINGS
Whilst there has been considerable lobbying to extend or make the ability to meet virtually permanent at the present time the outcome is uncertain. So, Councils should really start preparing for returning to physical meetings from 7 May.
It is not totally clear whether changes made at Step 3, which will not before 17 May, will allow the return to face-to-face meetings. Step 4 of the Government’s ‘Roadmap out of Lockdown’ would see the lifting of all restrictions, but this will not be before 21 June.
When face-to-face council meetings do resume, there will still be a risk to attendees of COVID-19 exposure. Councils should conduct a risk assessment in advance of a face-to-face meeting which should give consideration to what can be done to reduce risk to councillors, staff and public.
Councils (or venue operators) will need to identify a maximum capacity in their risk assessment, taking into account the need for social distancing, and consider how to ensure this capacity is not exceeded and how it will manage the situation if more people wish to attend than capacity allows. For example, meetings could be live-streamed or members of the public to submit questions via email.
Councils must also make the workplace (including council meetings) as safe as possible for their staff, this includes undertaking a risk assessment, taking reasonable steps to reduce risks identified in the risk assessment, and ensure it is acting in compliance with the latest Government safer workplaces guidance. ACAS have produced useful guidance for employers and employees related to COVID-19, including advice on how to support staff to return to the workplace and how to manage situations where staff may be worried or not wish to return.
COVID TESTING FOR TOWN AND PARISH COUNCIL STAFF IN NORFOLK
Norfolk County Council is offering Town and Parish Councils in Norfolk the opportunity to obtain free rapid Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing for Covid‑19 for staff. There are two ways this can happen.
Workplace Surveillance Testing (WST). This is available where two or more staff are working together in an office/work setting. If relevant to you, visit https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/workplacesurveillancetesting, to read the information and complete the declaration form. Testing must then be carried out in the workplace.
Community Testing at District Asymptomatic Testing Sites (DATS). Councils which only have 1 member of staff working in an office/work setting can use NCC’s DATS locations. If interested, visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/rapidtesting to check the locations and book 2x tests/week (preferably Monday and Thursday, or Tuesdays and Fridays) at the link provided. Spacing out the testing days means that there is then less opportunity for asymptomatic individuals to spread Covid-19 to families and communities.
AGAR UPDATE
Annual Governance and Accountability Returns (AGARs) will be sent out by PKF Littlejohn soon. Audit timescales are expected to revert to AGARs being completed by 30 June and audited accounts published by 30 September, although NALC has urged the government to maintain the currently extended timescale and so we will keep you updated. An updated practitioner’s guide will be published by the end of the month, with main changes being the staff cost definition and a rewrite of Part Four. Sadly, the wet-signature requirement remains.
There were a few outstanding AGARs from last year in Norfolk, mostly from parish meetings, which we have been following up. At an SAAA briefing last week, there was an opportunity for me to raise the high cost of additional work in investigating objections (often vexatious) as a concern.
NALC GUIDE TO CYBER SECURITY
National ALC has published a guide to cyber security, as the latest of its good councillor guides. This can be obtained from the documents section of our website (login reguired).
CHANGING PLACES - TOILET FUNDING
On 4 March MHCLG announced a new £30 million fund for the installation of Changing Places toilets. This funding is being distributed through principal councils and local councils interested in installing Changing Places toilets are being recommended to get in touch with their principal council to register interest in working in partnership to deliver a Changing Places accessible toilet.
Separately, we are also finally expecting news soon on the delayed enactment of the legislation for the NDR exemption of standalone public toilets.
BUDGET SUMMARY
Budget items of interest to parish and town councils included:
the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until September 2021
principal councils provided with an additional £425 million of discretionary business grant funding.
a £150 million Community Ownership Fund to help ensure that communities across the UK can continue to benefit from the local facilities and amenities that are most important to them, albeit sadly local government is not eligible to apply to this fund.
launching the prospectus for a £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund which may secure funds for some parts of Norfolk
a Build Back Better: our plan for growth publication setting out plans for investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation, with the devolution white paper mentioned.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO COSIPL REPORT
Following representations from the NALC Chairman, the local government minister has written to nalc apologising for the delay in responding to the Committee on Standards in Public Life (COSIPL) review of local government ethical standards, confirming the intention to respond shortly and at the same time consult on taking forward recommendations it agrees with. The local government magazine LGC also covered this in their story (National ALC login required).
SURVEY – CLERK HOURS
Please help Deborah McNeill with her review of the clerk's role in relation to the number of hours employed at a parish council in Norfolk. Her survey is targeted at councils with a budgeted spend of between £100K and £200K and has a deadline of 5pm, THIS Friday. Deborah is more than happy to share the results with participating councils. Please complete the survey Any queries, contact deborahsarson@yahoo.co.uk and completed surveys to be sent to Deborah at this email address.
AGREEMENT FOR USE OF A PLAYING FIELD – REMINDER OFREQUEST FOR HELP
We have a request to provide a fellow clerk with examples of where a council owns a playing field with use by a football club or bowls club or similar, that is for the club exclusively, with them adding buildings etc. They would like to know what other councils have in place in terms of agreements and the management of this arrangement. Please contact Russell at countyofficer@norfolkalc.gov.uk for contact details.
LONDON BRIDGE
Operation London Bridge is the codename of the plan for what will happen in the days following the death of a senior member of the Royal Family. You may have seen our upcoming training event later this month being delivered by Phillip Peacock from Huntington Town Council. A process template is also available in the documents section of our website to adapt if needed. We suggest joining the mailing list of the National Association of Civic Officers at: http://www.naco.uk.com. You can also access a document explaining what images are available from www.royalimages.co.uk.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN MARCH Armed Forces Covenant update and lecture from Naval Historian: John Johnson Allen " Rosy Wemyss, Admiral of the Fleet, the Man who Created Armistice Day" . This will be jointly hosted by Norfolk ALC and The Royal British Legion Norfolk on Tuesday 16 March at 7pm Book via wellbeing@norfolkalc.gov.uk with reference RBLN. Green ways to green spaces with the Norfolk Local Access Forum and the NCC Walking and Cycling Team, on Thursday 25March at 7pm. Book via wellbeing@norfolkalc.gov.uk with reference Greenways Meet the Lieutenancy on Tuesday 30 March at 7pm. The Lady Dannatt MBE, HM Lord‑Lieutenant of Norfolk will explain the role of the Lieutenancy, with project descriptions from some of her Deputy Lieutenants. There will be a Q&A session at the end. Book via wellbeing@norfolkalc.gov.uk with reference CL.
OUR AGM IN MAY
For this year’s AGM, on 20 May, we have confirmed as guest speakers Jackie Weaver, of Handforth fame, and the incoming Police and Crime Commissioner. We will also be providing an update on our activities over the last year and our future plans, introducing our new Board and considering proposals/motions from our Member Councils. Please register for this free Zoom event BookWhen.
STAR COUNCIL AWARDS 2021
The National Association is again running its awards programme to recognise the local council sector’s achievements. The Star Council Awards are the only ones to recognise and celebrate the local council sector’s brilliant contribution to our communities. Therefore, the awards are an excellent opportunity for councils, councillors and clerks to showcase how they have made a real difference across Norfolk. Award categories include: Clerk of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Councillor of the Year and Council of the Year. NALC will announce winners in September. You have until 25 May 2021 to submit entries. Details at: STAR COUNCIL AWARDS 2021
2021 CPRE AWARDS
The 2021 CPRE Norfolk Awards are designed for projects carried out by local organisations such as parish councils. Please can you help promote the scheme in your parish, and with nominating projects. The entry categories are: (i) rural living (for projects that improve the sustainability of rural living such as reducing energy, carbon, water use etc. in rural communities); (ii) countryside champions (for projects that enhance wildlife, landscapes or improve countryside access); (iii) digging deep (for businesses, local authorities and parish councils that are putting something back to benefit the environment or landscape); (iv) good lighting design (to recognise schemes which keep light pollution impacts to a minimum in the rural countryside). Size of projects doesn't matter, especially where initiatives can be replicated throughout the county. Entries can be made until 28 May 2021 and there will be an awards evening in September. Find out more at www.cprenorfolk.org.uk/awards-2021. Download a leaflet at http://bit.ly/AwardsInfo1 and an entry form at http://bit.ly/AwardsApp2 . Contact info@cprenorfolk.org.uk if you have any queries.
TRAINING
Hot new courses added to our Spring programme:
Responding to demand and requests for an evening course, we have added 7pm on Wednesday 28 April as another date for Planning for Councillors with Michael Rayner.
Following on from the successful Well-being Seminars we held exclusively for Norfolk Clerks during February, we have commissioned Nicki Williamson of The Wellbeing People Ltd, to deliver two new courses focusing on communication skills and personal resilience.
Effective Communications for Positive Outcomes
This two-hour course helps delegates to understand their own and others communication styles, helping them to build better rapport with colleagues, staff and peers resulting in positive exchanges and outcomes. The course covers: -
• Communication styles – understanding your own and others
• Body language in communication
• Building Rapport
• Shaping outcomes
Two dates to choose from – Tuesday 27 April at 10am or Thursday 29 April at 7pm
Building Resilience
This two-hour course helps delegates to understand and increase their own resilience levels, manage expectations and effectively communicate with others. The course covers:
• Resilience – what is it and how do we increase it?
• Understanding Ourselves and Others
• Expectations – how to manage them
Two dates to choose from – Wednesday 5 May at 10am or Thursday 6 May at 7pm
Do not forget to book your courses at the link below.
KEEPING IN TOUCH SESSIONS
Our sessions for chairpersons continue on Wednesdays at 5pm. If you would like an invite, contact countyofficer@norfolkalc.gov.uk.
Our next Wednesday 2pm clerks Café Cluster event will be on 17 March. Please Book your place and you will get an automatic reminder.
SHARING OF NEWSLETTERS
Clerks, to save you time in forwarding our newsletters, it is possible to arrange for them to be sent directly using this link.
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You can re-visit our earlier newsletters and wellbeing bulletins at Latest Norfolk ALC e-Bulletin
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