CARRY FORWARD OF ANNUAL LEAVE FOR 2020/21
We have had a few enquires regarding the carry forward of annual leave. Here is a response from our HR advisor, Chris Moses:
"If an Employee has been prevented from using their leave entitlement due to illness or pregnancy they automatically get to carry it over into the new holiday year. If they have been prevented from taking leave during the pandemic due to being a key/front line worker, the Government has said that they can carry the unused entitlement over into the following two years. There is also case law which states that if an Employee has not used all of their entitlement, and they have not been given reasonable notice by their Employer during the holiday year that they need to get it booked and taken or they will lose it, they can carry it over into the following year."
CLOUDYIT MEETING AND DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SUMMIT
With local elections looming and the prospect of lockdown easing, we are sure many councils are continuing to consider how to run meetings and looking to digitise operations more effectively. National ALC's dedicated Coronavirus webpage includes guidance for local councils on remote meetings and approaching hybrid meetings. National ALC are supporting CloudyIT's online Meeting and Document Management event on 30 March to help councils get the most out of the Microsoft 365 suite. Industry experts will show you critical tools for accessibility, document management, and how to simplify agenda pack creation and meeting management. Book here to reserve a place and receive exclusive event offers, including free Microsoft Office 365 training for new councillors and 15% off licensing for new CloudyIT customers.
UPDATED LEGAL GUIDANCE ON PRE-ELECTION PUBLICITY PERIOD
With just under eight weeks until local elections on 6 May, National ALC have re-issued their legal briefing L01-21 on the pre-election publicity period, which contains a link to the up to date LGA short guide to publicity during the pre-election period, also known as purdah. You can find the briefing (last published in November 2019 as L01-19) in the member’s area of the website(login required).
MAKE A CHANGE EVENT RECORDING
The recording of National ALC’s recent Make a change, be a councillor event is now available to view.
FIND GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES NEAR YOU!
Do you run or know about an activity or group that takes place regularly in your local community? Do you want to advertise parish council events in your area? If so, why not add it to Bright Map? Bright Map is a free interactive map that highlights regular local groups or activities across Norfolk and Waveney. It aims to highlight some of the amazing community engagement and support across Norfolk. It was initially founded by the Church of England Diocese of Norwich to promote groups and activities churches run for the benefit of their local communities. Today the site is open to all and promotes projects and community activities run by a wide range of organisations and community groups. This map is a really useful way for people to find out which activities and groups are going on in your local area, and also a useful tool for group organisers to reach out to the people who are looking for their event.
If you run a group in your local area, or perhaps you coordinate your organisation’s groups across the county for the benefit of the community, they would love you to add it to the Bright Map by visiting www.brightmap.org
UPCOMING EVENTS IN MARCH 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.
TRAINING
Final Call for Operation London Bridge - delivered byPhilip Peacock SLCC, clerk to Huntingdon Town Council
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 7 April. 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.
PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS
You can re-visit our earlier newsletters and wellbeing bulletins at Latest Norfolk ALC e-Bulletin
Click here to access news from Breckland Council
Click here to access news from Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Click here to access news from Broadland District Council Click here to access news from Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Click here to access news from Norfolk County Council
Click here to access news from North Norfolk District Council
Click here to access news from South Norfolk Council
