Halfway through June and we’ve had a week of Autumn, this has caused havoc around some of our open spaces with some branches down and damage to fencing and buildings. In the BMKALC office, we started off at pace with Bespoke Training, NEP Boards, Cllr Essentials training. I should have been at the BC Licensing workshop but was held up. Not many people did join so when they produce a fresh date I shall prompt you!
Before you launch it the rest of this week’s View I want to reiterate again the importance of voting to accept or reject apologies. Noting them does not cut the mustard and will not be helpful in determining the 6 month clause. You must vote by a show of hands and that decision must be recorded.
HIGHLIGHTS
HMRC – Mileage Rates
Lone Working Fact Sheet and Employment Law Roadmap
MHCLG / NALC Updates and Resources
Vacancies – Home and Away
Courses
Consultations – BC, MK and National
What’s On – Camphill MK Midsummer Fair & Great Get Together in memory of Jo Cox
BC Planning Forum 17 June, online 10:00.
HMRC Mileage Rates
From James Corrigan from CHRGS, our newest member support partner.
Announced on 21st May 2026, the HMRC mileage rate has been increased by 10p to 55p per mile, backdated to 1st of April 2026. This will not automatically apply to individuals in local government unless their policy or contract states mileage is paid at the prevailing HMRC rate.
Councils will need to adopt the new rate through the usual policy adoption process before paying at these rates, which can be backdated to the 1st April 2026.
Obviously good news for all those local government employees who have to use their car for work duties. If you do, don’t forget to make sure you are covered for business use on your policy of insurance.
Lone Working?
From Worknest
Most of our councils will have a single employee probably working from home with only occasional forays out into the parish. Despite this seemingly independent, attractive working pattern, it does not reduce the responsibility on the Council in its role as employer, to ensure the safety of it’s employees. This week we include a factsheet from our other HR member service partner, Worknest, to help you review and ensure you are doing the most you can.
Up to Speed with Employment Law Changes?
From Worknest
There has been so much noise over the last two years relating to employment law and it’s hard to know where we are up to. Worknest have produced a road map and time-line to help you. Attached as a pdf.
MHCLG & NALC Updates and Resources
Reminder: Councillors in England access the Local Government Pension Scheme
On 2 June, the government announced that local councillors in England now have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) following the introduction of new regulations.
The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) used actuarial analysis to support a consultation about the change.
The development means scheme membership has been extended to councillors, mayors, deputy mayors and London Assembly members in England for the first time.
The change aligns England with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where elected members have continued to have access to the LGPS.
The new rules took effect on the first Monday (11 May) following the May local elections. It means that service from that date onwards will be pensionable in the scheme. Membership is on an opt-in basis, placing particular importance on clear communication to elected members about their options.
Vacancies – Home and Away
Clerk & RFO – Hackleton Parish Council
Clerk & RFO – Croughton Parish Council
(Advertised via BMKALC)
For National Vacancies check out Jobs on the NALC website and the SLCC.
We are really keen to hear from Clerks or key officers who may be able to provide local locum support. We often receive calls for support over meetings and for maternity cover. These positions may range from a couple of hours to full time maternity support. If you are interested, please give me a call to discuss.
Courses Next Week
We have a third in the series of Councillor Essential Training. Remember to look at our website for the latest additions to our training programme. We’ve also revamped our whole Council Bespoke Training delivery. If you feel your council would benefit from receiving training on the remit, roles, code of conduct, civility and respect, then do get in touch.
Don’t forget to look at The Parkinson Partnership and also Breakthrough Communications for courses suitable for Councillors and Officers.
Current Consultations
Buckinghamshire Council
Milton Keynes City Council
There are currently no open consultations advertised.
Nationally
A number of important Government consultations are currently open which will directly affect planning, housing, and development in parish areas. I have used AI to produce a list and have then picked the ones most relevant to us.
Consultation on permitted development rights: schools, assets of community value, defence and conservation launched 10 June,
MHCLG launched a new consultation proposing a package of amendments to permitted development rights (PDRs). The consultation contains proposed changes to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, as amended. It covers the following areas:
| Extending the existing temporary permitted development right for schools affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Removing assets of community value from the demolition permitted development right Changes to the permitted development right that allows development by the Crown on closed defence sites New permitted development flexibilities to enable the development of conservation measures within Environmental Delivery Plans |
The consultation closes on 5 August. If you have any questions, please contact: pdrconsultation2026@communities.gov.uk
Reminder: Planning Committees and the National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions: Government response and statutory guidance for local planning authorities in England
On 1 June, MHCLG published the government response providing a summary of the responses received to the statutory consultation on the draft regulations and guidance related to the reform of planning committees. It also sets out the government’s response on each of the consultation proposals.
Alongside this government response, the government is laying the draft regulations for Parliamentary scrutiny and publishing the accompanying statutory guidance. The intention is that the final regulations will be made in July and come into force on 31 October 2026.
The statutory guidance aims to help support local planning authorities in England in implementing the national scheme of delegation for planning functions.
WHAT’S ON
See attached an invitation from Emily Darlington MP, to this years Camphill MK Midsummer Fair & Great Get Together in memory of Jo Cox to be held on Saturday 27 June, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Camphill Milton Keynes Communities, Japonica Lane, Willen Park, Milton Keynes, MK15 9JY.
BC Planning Forum next week, 17th June, 10:00 till 11:30
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/353632958603914?p=STycgb1Gvvu1Mif2Yq
Meeting ID: 353 632 958 603 914
Passcode: jR272Sp7
We wish you all a relaxing break this weekend and look forward to speaking with you next week. We are missing Jess who’s quickly become a key part of the team and who is enjoying a break away.
Kind regards,
Mel, Lorraine and Jess