Basics Bootcamp Agenda – Midlands 2025

Commenting Effectively on Planning Applications
Andrew Towlerton, SLCC National Planning Advisor

The session is designed to help clerks effectively comment on planning applications.  It will explore the role of local councils in the planning application process; what to include in responses (including material and non-material considerations); the different types of planning applications, what are planning conditions and planning obligation and much more.  It will also touch on the Government ‘blitz’ of planning reforms and what this means for local councils.

English Devolution – Developments Following the White Paper
Michael King, SLCC Head of Policy & External Communications

The government published its English Devolution White Paper – Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, on Monday 16 December 2024. The White Paper is designed to embed devolution into the country’s constitution. It will, in the government’s own words, achieve ‘growth, more joined-up delivery of public services, and politics being done with communities, not to them.’ Since then, the government has consulted on the Code of Conduct and the future of local audit. We can expect a draft Bill before the year-end. What changes may be in the pipeline for local councils in England and how should the sector respond?

SLCCE
Andrew Maliphant, SLCC Environmental and Sustainability Advisor

As environmental issues continue to move up the national agenda, we will be looking at opportunities for parish, town and community councils to get involved and how SLCC is working to support new local initiatives.

CiLCA – Tick. What’s Next For You?
David Mears FSLCC, SLCC Community Governance Module Tutor

Community Governance Module Tutor, David Mears, talks about the SLCC’s highest professional qualification – the Level 4 Community Governance Certificate in Higher Education – and introduces the SLCC’s Academic programme: the level 5 Foundation degree, the level 6 Bachelors degree (Hons.), and the level 7 Masters in Public Leadership

What ‘s Happening in Employment Law
Ian Smith, SLCC National Employment Advisor

This session is a rundown of what you need to know in employing staff, the changes that have already happened and those that are due to occur in the next couple of years. Learn about what will happen to employment tribunal claims and the impact on your organisation when the current two year time limit is abolished and a lot more besides. It is aimed chiefly at clerks as employers, but many of the items featured apply equally to employees.