Whether you’re new to the sector or have years of experience, our range of membership means that there is a level to suit everyone.
The Professional Development Scheme (PDS) contains grades of membership which are awarded on a combination of experience, Continuous Professional Development (CPD), and qualifications. As you progress in your career, you can apply for a membership upgrade to ensure your level always reflects your ability.
“I am glad to be a member and I would say that any clerk ought to belong to the SLCC as a matter of course. Membership of one’s professional body is just one of those things that should be automatic – it is a constant source of information and fellow-feeling and you never know when you will need more substantive support.” David O’Driscoll, clerk to Forest Row Parish Council, SLCC member since 2015
“I’ve just read through the latest edition of The Clerk and wanted to let you know that you’ve reached a new high. Virtually, every page was useful to me and my staff. And I’ve booked on the webinar elections training already.” Paul Wynne, Town Clerk, Frome Town Council
Full Membership
Membership for clerks (or other senior employees) in paid clerking positions.
Full members receive all the services the SLCC has to offer.
Benefits
- Contact our team of experienced advisors by telephone or email for answers to your professional queries.
- Read our bi-weekly news bulletin containing the latest sector news and information.
- Join the professional e-Forum which provides networking opportunities with local council colleagues.
- Access best practice advice on a range of topics in the members’ area of our website.
- Review our bi-monthly magazine called ‘The Clerk’ packed with advice, information and case studies from fellow members.
- Discover the latest legislation and regulation at our conferences and events at a discounted rate.
- Save on a range of council products and services, including office stationery, books and energy supplies.
- Advertise your councils’ job on the SLCC website and take advantage of member discount.
- Maintain good practice by studying for a sector qualification or attending a continuous professional development course at a discounted rate.
- Network with fellow clerks and discuss current issues at regular county based branch meetings.
- Access the free confidential 24hr counselling service for any personal issues.
- Free membership of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), an international professional body for clerks with members based in a number of countries worldwide, particularly in The USA and Canada.
Cost
Use your gross annual salary or gross pro-rata salary from all councils to calculate your Full membership subscription. View the membership subscription calculator.
Criteria
To qualify for full membership of the SLCC you must be a clerk or other senior employee in a paid clerking position of:
– Town, parish or community councils
– Joint committees of town, parish and community councils
– Parish and community meetings
– Charter trustees
You do not need to acquire CPD points to apply for this membership.
Student Membership
Student Membership is a first step on your professional pathway with SLCC. You receive all the services which the SLCC has to offer (as with the full membership above) but with the benefits of joining the Professional Development Scheme (PDS).
Cost
In addition to your full membership subscription cost, the cost to become a Student member is £15 per annum. This entitles you to have the designated letters ‘StSLCC’ after your name, and you will also receive a £10 training voucher when joining the PDS and each subsequent year upon renewal.
Looking to upgrade?
Full members can upgrade to Student at any point. Your additional membership subscription will be based on the full months remaining until your membership renewal date. This ensures that your membership renewal date stays the same.
See Your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for more information on claiming and recording your CPD.
Criteria
To apply for the Student membership you must meet the following criteria:
Full membership
AND
12 CPD Points per membership year
See Your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for more information on claiming and recording your CPD.
You can hold Student Membership for a maximum period of 3 years. During that time, we hope you will be able to advance to Principal Level.
Principal Membership
Principal members receive all the services the SLCC has to offer (as with full membership above) as well as the benefits of joining the Professional Development Scheme (PDS).
Cost
In addition to your Full membership subscription cost, the cost to become a Principal member is £55 per annum.
Looking to upgrade?
Full members can upgrade to Principal at any point. Your additional membership subscription will be based on the full months remaining until your membership renewal date. This ensures that your membership renewal date stays the same.
See Your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for more information on claiming and recording your CPD.
Criteria
To apply for this membership you must meet the following criteria:
Full membership
AND
– Passed the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA)
OR
– Passed the CertHE at Level 4 of Local Policy
OR
– Passed Level 4 of Community Engagement & Governance
OR
– Passed Level 4 of Community Governance
OR
– Passed the Certificate in Local Council Administration Parts 1 & 2 before 1993
AND
18 CPD points per membership year
“I would recommend the scheme to other clerks as it is very important in our wide and ranging role to keep up to date and to continually improve in order to do the best that we can in what is a very demanding and important role.” Derek Snowball PSLCC, Ferryhill Town Council
Fellow Membership
Fellow members receive all the services the SLCC has to offer (as with full membership above) as well as the benefits of joining the Professional Development Scheme (PDS).
Cost
In addition to your Full membership subscription cost, the cost to become a Fellow member is £85 per annum.
Looking to upgrade?
Full members can upgrade to Fellow at any point. Your additional membership subscription will be based on the full months remaining until your membership renewal date. This ensures that your membership renewal date stays the same.
See Your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for more information on claiming and recording your CPD.
Criteria
Route 1
Full membership
AND
Passed Foundation Degree in Community Engagement & Governance
OR
the Foundation Degree in Community Governance
OR
the Diploma of Higher Education in Local Policy
AND
5 years’ relevant sector experience and made a significant contribution to the sector
AND
24 CPD points per membership year
Route 2
Full membership
AND
Passed the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA)
AND
A relevant qualification at Level 5 or above
AND
8 years’ relevant sector experience and made a significant contribution to the sector
AND
24 CPD points per membership year
Affiliate Membership
Membership for town, parish and community councillors, officers of county associations and any others with an interest in the local council sector.
This membership includes some of the benefits of Full membership, however, members may only attend branch meetings with the agreement of the relevant branch, may not vote and are not eligible to attend the SLCC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Benefits
- Contact our team of experienced advisors by telephone or email for answers to your professional queries.
- Read our bi-weekly news bulletin containing the latest sector news and information.
- Join the professional e-Forum which provides networking opportunities with local council colleagues.
- Access best practice advice on a range of topics in the members’ area of our website.
- Review our bi-monthly magazine called ‘The Clerk’ packed with advice, information and case studies from fellow members.
- Discover the latest legislation and regulation at our conferences and events at a discounted rate.
- Save on a range of council products and services, including office stationery, books and energy supplies.
- Advertise your councils’ job on the SLCC website and take advantage of member discount.
- Maintain good practice by studying for a sector qualification or attending a continuous professional development course at a discounted rate.
- Access the free confidential 24hr counselling service for any personal issues.
Cost
Affiliate membership costs £206 per annum plus a £15 joining fee for new members.
Criteria
Anyone with a role or interest in local councils may apply for Affiliate membership. This includes town, parish and community councillors, officers of county associations and any others with an interest in the local council sector.
If you are in a clerking role please apply for full membership.
You do not need to acquire CPD points to apply for this membership.
Affiliate (Principal) Membership
Principal members receive all the services as with Affiliate membership as well as the benefits of joining the Professional Development Scheme (PDS).
Cost
In addition to your Affiliate membership, the cost to become a Principal member is £55 per annum.
Criteria
See the criteria for becoming an Affiliate member and Principal member above.
Looking to upgrade?
Affiliate members can upgrade to Principal at any point. Your additional membership subscription will be based on the full months remaining until your membership renewal date. This ensures that your membership renewal date stays the same.
Affiliate (Fellow) Membership
Affiliate (Fellow) members receive all the services as with Affiliate membership as well as the benefits of joining the Professional Development Scheme (PDS).
Cost
In addition to your Affiliate membership, the cost to become a Fellow member is £85 per annum.
Criteria
See the criteria for becoming an Affiliate member and Fellow member above.
Looking to upgrade?
Affiliate members can upgrade to Fellow at any point. Your additional membership subscription will be based on the full months remaining until your membership renewal date. This ensures that your membership renewal date stays the same.
Past Service Membership
Membership for those who are no longer in a paid clerking role.
Left your council? Remain a member at a reduced rate by becoming a Past Service member. Past service members have access to all the benefits of a full member except for the advisory service.
Retiring Principal or Fellow? Become a Past Service member and retain the use of your designatory letters.
Cost
Past Service membership costs £42 per annum.
Criteria
Membership for those who are no longer in a paid clerking role.
If you are in a clerking role please apply for full membership.
You do not need to acquire CPD points to apply for this membership.
Clerk Magazine Membership
Need more copies of The Clerk magazine? The Clerk magazine is included in the price of all the memberships above, although some members like a second copy to share with their council.
Cost
The Clerk magazine membership costs £36 per annum.
Criteria
You do not need to acquire CPD points to apply for this membership.