Write a case study
SLCC publish six editions of The Clerk magazine every year and the bi-monthly publication is distributed to members in hard copy as well as being made available on our website. The informative read contains articles providing advice, information and best practice which many of our members use to refer back to at a later date. The publication is highly respected in the sector and 94% of respondents to the 2021 Membership Survey voted it ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. Case studies within the publication represent officers working for all sizes of parish, town and community councils across England and Wales.
Our upcoming special features for 2024 and 2025 are as follows, although your 600-word case study does not need to fall within the theme:
- November 2024 – Staff Management and Retention
- January 2025 – No special feature
- March 2025 – Audits
- May 2025 – Recruiting and engaging councillors
- July 2025 – No special feature
- September 2025 – Local government partnership working / The purpose and principals of the public sector
- November 2025 – Technology and the Future
If you have been involved with a project and want to share your experience with your colleagues, as well as gaining 3 CPD points, please contact Line Djuve-Wood, [email protected]
To support you with writing your article, click here to view the Editorial Requirements.
Speak at an event
SLCC deliver over 400 training webinars each year covering everything from ‘Agendas and Minutes’ to ‘Code of Conduct’ training. We also offer a variety of events from one-day Themed Summits to two-day conferences such as the National Conference.
We believe that one of the best ways to learn is by connecting what you learn to something you know. Therefore, our training programmes are packed with relatable case studies delivered by clerks who have actually undertaken the project(s).
Our speakers represent all sizes of parish, town and community councils across England and Wales and we have a wide range of opportunities available to suit your requirements – whether you prefer speaking to a smaller audience or a large audience in our high profile keynote sessions.
Speak at an SLCC event and you can claim CPD points as well as a discounted place at the conference!
Contact Helen Quick, Head of Conferences, Training & Education, for more information on [email protected]
Become a mentor
SLCC’s New Clerk Mentoring Scheme is here to help new clerks (who have been clerking for 12 months or less) settle into the profession by guiding them through their responsibilities.
We have a network of mentors across England and Wales and their main responsibility is to help new clerks to understand their role and the roles of others by providing guidance and support over the telephone and/or email. Mentor’s will also introduce the new clerk to local, countywide and national networks to make sure that the new clerk knows who to contact when needed as well as answering basic technical questions and, when appropriate, referring the clerk to the SLCC’s advisory service or CALC officer for a response.
On occasion, the mentor might also help a clerk who is not new to the sector if a clerk is undergoing a period of change that requires a listener and the skills of the mentor (as opposed to the skills of an advisor).
To understand the role of a mentor or to become a mentor please contact Head Office on [email protected]
Help your local branch
SLCC has 45 branches across England and Wales and the role of each Branch is to support SLCC members in their area and to develop and promote relations with other bodies in the local council sector. Branch meetings provide an invaluable resource to local members by offering training, friendship, support, and the sharing of informal advice and good practice. Branches appoint their own Branch Officers and organise their own meetings and events. They receive modest funding in the form of an annual grant, called a capitation fee, to cover Branch expenses, which is based on the number of members in the Branch. Branches should, as a minimum, hold an annual meeting, and appoint the following roles:
Branch Secretary
The main role of the Branch Secretary is to be the first point of contact for their Branch members and potential Branch members. The secretary works in conjunction with the other Branch Officers to increase the Branch membership and is responsible for organising, promoting and attending Branch meetings and taking the minutes of the meeting.
The Branch Secretary liaises with the SLCC Head Office on a regular basis to update them on their planned Branch events.
The Branch Secretary takes reasonable steps to ensure that any vacancy for the post of National Forum Branch Representative or National Forum Reserve Branch Representative is brought to the attention of Branch members and, wherever possible, that an item about forthcoming elections is included on the agenda of the relevant Branch meeting. The Branch Secretary will also pick up on local concerns raised at Branch meetings and pass them to the Branch Representative on the National Forum.
Branch Chair
The Chair presides over the Branch meeting and manages and provides leadership to the Branch. The Chair ensures that the meetings run smoothly and remain orderly, and works at achieving a consensus in AGM decisions.
Branch Treasurer
The Treasurer oversees the financial administration of the Branch, manages the branch funds and advises the Branch on financial strategy. The Treasurer is responsible for submitting the Branch accounts for the previous year every January, in line with the SLCC financial year.
Branch Membership Officer
It is recommended that, where possible, the Branch enrols a Membership Officer to maintain a list of new clerks in the county by liaising with various local sources including Monitoring Officers and County Associations. The information on the new clerk should then be communicated to SLCC Head Office in order for a new clerk pack to be sent and membership discussions to take place.
National Forum Branch Representative
The National Forum performs an important role in providing the opportunity for representatives from each branch to meet together, represent the views of their branch members, participate in collective decision-making and report back to their branches on matters considered by the Forum. It can submit matters to the Board which have been raised by branches, and, in turn, it receives reports from the Board for consideration and action. It may, if it chooses, request the Board to reconsider a decision previously taken by the Board.
The Forum is also a platform for colleagues to develop shared knowledge and good practice, and so assist in developing and improving the branch network.
The National Forum comprises of one member from each county branch.
Each branch appoints one representative to serve on the National Forum, plus a reserve representative to attend if the main representative is unavailable. These must be full members of the SLCC and members of the branch from which they are appointed, but cannot also be Directors on the Board. The term of office of the branch representatives (and reserve) commences immediately following the SLCC’s AGM and ends at the conclusion of the SLCC’s AGM a year later. Each branch therefore needs to appoint its National Forum representative (and reserve) at a branch meeting prior to the SLCC’s AGM of that year.
National Forum Reserve Branch Representative
Each Branch appoints one representative to serve on the National Forum, plus a reserve representative to attend if the main representative is unavailable. These must be full members of SLCC and members of the branch from which they are appointed, but cannot also be Directors on the Board. The term of office of the branch representatives (and reserve) commences immediately following the SLCC’s AGM and ends at the conclusion of the SLCC’s AGM a year later. Each branch therefore needs to appoint its National Forum representative (and reserve) at a branch meeting prior to the SLCC’s AGM of that year.
Should a vacancy for a branch representative (or reserve) occur during the year, the branch can appoint a replacement branch representative (or a reserve) to serve until the conclusion of the SLCC’s next AGM.
If you are interested in becoming a Branch Officer please contact your local Branch or contact Head Office on [email protected]
SLCC Annual Awards 2024
Celebrate the skills, dedication and professionalism of senior officers serving councils throughout England and Wales by putting forward your colleague(s) for SLCC’s Annual Awards 2024 – now open for nominations!
Submit your nomination(s) before the closing date on Friday 16 August 2024. A panel appointed by SLCC’s Board of Directors will determine the best three nominees in each category and winners will be announced at National Conference 2024.
The various categories of awards are:
- Heart of the Parish Award: this new award aims to recognise the invaluable contributions made by clerks to smaller parish councils, and celebrates those who through their tireless efforts, whether as a sole employee or as part of a smaller team, serve as the beating heart of their communities, embodying dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment.
- New Clerk of the Year Award: celebrates the achievements of a clerk who has demonstrated exceptional promise and excellence in the early stages of their career. We’re seeking nominees who have displayed unwavering commitment to their role and who has less than three years of service in the profession (entering their role after 1 October 2021).
Previous winners have been recognised for revitalising struggling councils, having tackled challenges efficiently and effectively, introducing new and innovative projects, or for simply being an inspiration. - Bryan Metcalf Award for Volunteering: in memory of one of SLCC’s greatest and longest serving volunteers, this award honours clerks who have generously given their unpaid time and effort to support SLCC’s mission, showing exceptional service and commitment to our members and the sector.
Previous winners have been recognised for serving as board directors, various branch roles, mentoring roles and much more. - Long Service Award(s): recognises a select few nominees annually who have dedicated themselves to serving the local council sector and SLCC over an extended period of time. Please note that successful nominations must have 30 years’ of service as a clerk and active involvement with SLCC.
Complete the nomination form here.
Become a Locum
The Local Council Consultancy (LCC) is the consultancy arm of SLCC Enterprises Ltd dedicated to ensuring best practice and continuous improvement in the local council sector. LCC was launched in late 2018 by the SLCC as an additional capability to the advisory and membership services. LCC draw on the wide and deep expertise of the SLCC and seek to provide councils with a value for money, sector-leading consultancy service.
LCC is often contacted to provide locum support through our team of clerks. The requirement may arise due to sickness, maternity leave, vacancies or helping with workload, or a combination of factors. The work varies on an assignment-by-assignment basis and can be relatively short term for a few hours a week to a full-time or long-term commitment.
Locum work is rewarding, providing job satisfaction knowing that you are helping when help is needed. As assignments can be chosen to suit your skills and existing working patterns or personal commitments, being a Locum offers you flexibility, variation and valuable experience to enhance your CV.
You don’t need to have completed your qualification to join our team, we’re now looking for administration and deputy locums who meet the following criteria:
- Administration Locum – currently studying or completed ILCA
- Deputy Locum – currently studying or completed CiLCA
- Locum – completed CiLCA
We employ our locums and manage all aspects of PAYE, National Insurance, pension contributions and holiday entitlement which means that if you work with us in this capacity everything is taken care of.