NALC new website, Martyn’s Law Steering Group, Handling online abuse and intimidation, New positive duty to prevent sexual harassment, NALC Survey, Democracy In Action
Dear Colleagues
The very fact that you haven’t heard from me in a couple of weeks demonstrates how busy we’ve been here in BMKALC, so lets bring you up to date.
Firstly and with great relief I can confirm that NALC’s new website is live. You will need to all create new accounts to access it, individual councillors may set up their own accounts. The new natural language search, makes it so much easier to find everything. It’s going to take Lorraine and I a little while to familiarise ourselves with the new layout, I think it’s going to be worth it.
I attended the SLCC conference for the first time, this year. I did repeated trawls of the exhibitor area and made some very useful contacts. Whilst I acknowledge that two days away from your councils is difficult to justify I would urge you to think about attending Conference or the Practioners Day, it is immensely useful and a constructive use of your time.
In other news from the last two weeks…
Martyn’s Law Steering Group – The Martyn’s Law Steering Group, co-chaired by NALC and Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), reconvened on 2 October 2024 following the first reading in the House of Commons of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill on 12 September 2024. NALC and SLCC will track the bill’s progress through the Commons and Lords stages, and we will issue parliamentary briefings as required, including ahead of the bill’s second reading. The group remains aware that terrorist activity can still happen on a small scale at premises whose indoor capacity is less than the 200-person threshold for the standard tier. NALC and SLCC are considering proposing that parish and town councils managing premises whose capacity is less than 200 persons should affirmatively opt in or opt out of the application of the final requirements of the bill by council meeting resolution.
Handling online abuse and intimidation event – The LGA is hosting a free Zoom event on 31 October 2024 at 2 pm. The event is open to all parish and town councillors and is designed to provide practical tools and aids for handling online abuse and intimidation. The session will focus on real-world solutions, offering guidance on navigating hostile online environments, protecting personal well-being, and responding effectively to inappropriate or threatening behaviour. It will also provide useful resources to help councillors build resilience and confidence when engaging in digital spaces. You can learn more about the event and register on the LGA website.
New positive duty to prevent sexual harassment – NALC are recommending that all parish and town councils review their current policies and arrangements and take steps to ensure they comply with the new positive duty for councils to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, which comes into effect on 26 October 2024. Our partners, WorkNest, have produced a detailed guidance note to help councils as employers undertake this review, which will soon be available on our website. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also provided updated and detailed technical guidance.
Working with NALC and our county association colleagues, we’ve joined a campaign to lobby for legal changes and ensure councils can access the Financial Ombudsman Service. To help our campaign, NALC are gathering an evidence base of examples. Please take five minutes to complete the short survey by 1 November 2024.
Did you know that Neighbourhood Plans are now 10 years old! Keep in touch with updates and helpful advice by looking at the Locality website.
Local Elections are coming up for the majority of our council members in May next year and the LGA are offering a free course to help us prepare for it.
Democracy in Action – 13 November 2024 — 12.00 – 13.15, full details below.
Do you want to give something back to your community? To empower your place in uncertain times? To use the momentum from the recent general election to renew your local area?
This NALC Make A Change and LGA Be A Councillor event aims to promote the idea of standing for election as a local (parish, town and community) and principal authority (district, county, borough or unitary) councillor at the May 2025 local council elections. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election. Join us to hear from experts in the field who have become brilliant local councillors at various local government levels, from all quarters.
Whether you live in a parished or un-parished area, this unique free event will provide a valuable opportunity to learn about the work and role of local councillors in your community and answer your questions about standing for election as a local councillor in May 2025.
A diverse panel of experts will share their insights, experience, and advice. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions with representatives from areas which held local council elections in May 2024 and elsewhere, to find out how you can change your place for good.
Speakers: Tamsin Hewett, advisor at the Local Government Association, Cllr Jackie Drake, Ulverston town and Westmorland and Furness district councillor, Neil Wedge, chief executive of the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils and Cllr Chidi Nweke, Loughton Residents Association representative on Epping Forest District Council.
Register for Tickets here
Next week we look forward to BC’s Planning Forum (slides and agenda circulated under separate cover) in the morning followed by Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas training on Monday, Allotments – Theory on Tuesday, an SLCC branch meeting, BC Parish Liaison and Councillor Training on Wednesday, CILCA training on Thursday and …T&PC Forum slides Sept 2024 – Copy.pptx if I make it to Friday… I shall be catching up on all the things I’ve neglected earlier in the week ????. Lorraine will be taking some well earned holiday from Wednesday.
We wish you a wonderful weekend and look forward to hearing from you next week!
Kind regards
Mel & Lorraine