As part of the Coronavirus Act (2020) the government has introduced necessary changes to neighbourhood planning. Firstly, no neighbourhood planning referendums (or indeed any election or referendum) can take place until 6 May 2021. The Government has stated that this will be kept under review and may be amended or revoked in response to changing
Following the regulations which enable town and parish councils to conduct ‘virtual meetings’, the SLCC has launched free webinar training for members and non-members on how to hold council meetings online. The pre-recorded 60 minute session is presented by Andrew Maliphant. Andrew is an experienced parish clerk, trainer and published author (Local Regeneration Handbook –
Many of you will operate markets in your area and will be keenly aware of the difficulties that the market trade will be suffering throughout this period of social distancing and restriction on movement. The National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) has been in talks with government to draw up support measures for markets
Many clerks whose external audits are carried out by PKF Littlejohn will have received an email giving the latest update on completion of the 2019/20 AGAR. This situation is fast moving and despite MHCLG announcing a revised timetable for principal authorities on 16th March, the timetable for submission for smaller authorities remains unchanged. PKF Littlejohn
In the unprecedented times we find ourselves in we look to the future and aim to be as prepared as possible once life does inevitably return to normal. Raising professional standards and giving clerks and local council professionals the right tools to best serve their communities will be more important than ever and the SLCC
The Cabinet Office has issued this guidance to electoral administrators about forthcoming elections. Parish councils will be informed by their Electoral Administrators in principal councils, of the exact local situation. The latest guidance about forthcoming elections that may have been due to take place before legislation postponing them will come into force is as follows:-
Local government elections due to take place on 7th May have been postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Government’s announcement, a U-turn on its previous position, follows calls from within the sector and the Electoral Commission. A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: ‘We will bring forward legislation to postpone local, mayoral and
