Knowledge Bites – Clarifying what Assertion 10 means – emails, domains and online website compliance – in plain English! September 26th at 1pm Online
Presented by: Mark Tomkins, Founding Director at Aubergine – parish & town council website & .gov.uk experts and parish councillor
Audience: Parish & Town Council Clerks, Officers, and Councillors
Join Mark Tomkins, a leading expert in council website compliance and the Founding Director of Aubergine, as he explains the key updates in the 2025 edition of the Smaller Authorities Practitioners’ Guide (SAPPP) with a focus on Assertion 10 of the Annual Governance Statement.
This session is designed to help local councils understand their responsibilities regarding the governance and management of their digital presence — including domain names, official email use, website standards, and IT policies.
Key Topics Covered:
Overview of SAPPP 2025 updates
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- Key changes and additions that impact digital governance.
Deep Dive: What Assertion 10 Really Means
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- Understanding the assertion around trust and how it now extends to councils’ IT governance and data integrity.
Domain Name Ownership & Security
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- Why councils must own and control their .gov.uk or .org.uk domains.
- Risks of third-party-managed domains.
Official Email Use for Councillors & Officers
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- The importance of using council-issued email addresses (not personal or generic ones).
- Benefits for FOI/SAR, GDPR, and accountability.
Website Compliance Expectations
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- Accessibility, transparency, and the need for up-to-date, compliant council websites.
- What to check and how to stay compliant.
IT & Data Policies for Councils
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- Minimum IT policies now expected under Assertion 10.
- What to include and best practices.
Who Should Attend: Clerks, RFOs, councillors, and anyone involved in council governance, digital communications, or compliance.
Takeaway: Gain clarity on Assertion 10’s digital implications and learn practical steps to ensure your council meets its compliance obligations by AGAR 2025/26.
