Environment Agency - Living on the Edge
A guide to your rights and responsibilities as a riverside land owner
If you own land or property next to a river, stream or ditch this guide is for you. It explains both your rights and your responsibilities which are:
- to let water flow through your land without obstruction, pollution or diversion
- accept flood flows through your land
- keep the banks clear of anything that could cause an obstruction and increase flood risk
- leave a development free edge
- keep culverts, trash screens, weirs and other structures clear of debris
It has other chapters on flood risk management, flood defence, other consents and licences.
It is available on the Environment Agency website
or on this website in the Council Documents section
Are you the complete KITCHEN GARDENER?
Is your garden, allotment or window box your pride and joy?
Do you grow your own fruit, veg & flowers and do you know what to do with them?
Silver River Productions are looking for talented amateur kitchen gardeners who have the skills and the dedication to compete in BBC2’s ‘THE BIG ALLOTMENT CHALLENGE’. Someone who can cultivate the perfect carrot, make their green tomatoes into award winning chutney and turn their dahlias and sweet peas into floral arrangements fit for a Queen.
They are offering successful applicants the chance to turn a plot of land into a patch of beauty so if you have the skills to compete and are interested in featuring in our series, please contact grow@silverriver.tv or call 0207 907 3401 for an application form.
The deadline for applications is 12pm on the 13th of March 2014.
From 1st April 2014, registration fees for Cilca will increase to £250.
More information is on the Society of Local Council Clerks website
The Government has invited comments on the draft Openness of Local Government Bodies Draft Regulations 2014. This covers filming and the use of social media at council meetings. The Government is minded to make this as soon as possible. We understand from NALC that officials are hoping to have the Regulations in force by the end of May/early June.
NALC have issued a Policy Consultation (PC01-14) seeking your views on this.
These Regulations will potentially open up all parish councils to any person for the purposes of reporting. Reporting is defined in the Regulations as – filming, photographing or audio recording of the proceedings and any other means for enabling those not present to hear proceedings as it takes place or later. The aim is to allow any person to use any communication methods, including the internet, to publish, post or otherwise share the results of their reporting activities.
The Regulations will also require a written record of any delegated decision where the effect of the decision is to grant permissions, licences, affect the right of individuals, award contracts or incur expenditure which materially affects the body’s financial position.
These Regulations obviously have potentially far reaching effects on how your council conducts its meetings and how members of the public Tweet, film with their iphone or otherwise report the proceedings of the meeting.
Responses to the consultation to NALC victoria.pymm@nalc.gov.uk
In November NALC Chairman Cllr Ken Browse attended a joint ministerial meeting hosted by Nick Hurd MP and Stephen Williams MP on community rights.
An alliance of national organisations will be making an announcement that it is working together, including holding an initial programme of events, to promote greater uptake of the community rights arising from the Localism Act 2011. The events will be held in Bristol, London and Wakefield. Alliance represents over 200,000 individuals and nearly 10,000 grassroots organisations - Civic Voice, CAMRA, National Association of Local Councils, The Theatres Trust and Supporters Direc.
More information here
NALC are teaming up with the Local Government Information Unit to provide support to develop community energy schemes.
At the end of January, the Department for Energy and Climate Change published its Community Energy Strategy which explained how the Government will incentivise communities to develop their own energy schemes. At the heart of the strategy was an appeal to local government to support and facilitate new schemes.
You can read the strategy in full here
Through LGiU's community energy social enterprise, support will be offered to up to ten councils, prioritising applicants who can demonstrate cooperation across the tiers of local government and a community that has already expressed an interest in community energy.
Organising a voluntary event: a 'Can do' guide from Cabinet Office
Cabinet Office issued a guide last month, to help
you to plan and run successful events with a minimum of red tape. The
guide is in seven parts:
- What do I need to thnk about when planning an event?
- Do I need any licences or other sort of permission?
- How do I keep organisers, volunteers and participants safe?
- How do I make sure that food and drink is safe?
- Can I close a road?
- Do I need insurance?
- Am I planning an event for which there is specialist guidance elsewhere?
The guide can be read or downloaded from here
DCLG Allotment disposal guidance; safeguards and alternatives
This document is a guide to how disposal decisions will be
handled by the decision makers involved. Information and advice is
provided on the criteria used to assess whether local councils can be
granted consent to dispose of land used for allotments. The guide’s main
purpose is to help councils decide whether to apply for consent to
dispose of allotment land and to provide clarity on how disposal
applications will be assessed.
The guide is here
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) welcomes the Government announcement of a cash grant fund to encourage more disabled people into local democratic politics.
The Access to Elected Office for Disabled People Fund will be extended to the local (parish and town) council sector for the first time. The money will help with the additional costs, such as extra transport or sign-language interpreters, that a disabled candidate may face in standing for election as a local parish or town councillor.
NALC Chairman, Cllr Ken Browse, welcomed the announcement, saying “NALC welcomes the extension of this fund to support disabled people to run for local (parish and town) council elections. We are a sector committed to diversity and strong community representation and it is critical that everyone has the ability to run for election at local council level.”
“This fund works alongside our own local democracy campaign, highlighted in our ‘It Takes All Sorts’ publication to encourage more diversity within the local government sector.”
Minster for Equalities, Helen Grant, said:
“Disabled people are still under-represented in politics and I believe a strong democracy is an inclusive one. That’s why we need to do more to encourage a diverse mix of candidates and role models to better reflect the society we live in.
“Disabled candidates can often be faced with additional costs that make standing for election more difficult than their non-disabled counterparts. That’s why I’m delighted that we are extending the Access to Elected Office for Disabled People Fund, so even more people can benefit.”
NALC briefing L01-14 confirms that ordinary elections for councillors will move to co-incide with the European Parliamentary general election on 22nd May 2014.
IF your council has ordinary elections in 2014 (check because different unitary authorities have elections at different times) then the date of the annual meeting should take place between the 4th day after the date of the election which is 22nd May and 31st July.
Bray Parish Council are advertising for an Assistant Clerk, starting from 1st April 2014, 31 hours per week.
The job advert is available via the Vacancies section of this website.
The closing date is midday Friday 28th February 2014.
The draft Legislative Reform Order has been approved by Parliament which repeals s. 150 (5) Local Government Act 1972.
NALC financial advisers, DCK Beavers has issued a briefing setting out the necessary steps before the LRO comes into force. All member councils have received a copy of the briefing (F01-14) which can be found in the Documents section of this website under NALC guidance
CLERK WANTED FOR FRILSHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Are you a self-motivated, friendly person looking for a new challenge?
Frilsham is a small rural parish set in the Berkshire Downs with approximately 230 electors.
On the retirement of the Clerk/ Responsible Finance Officer we are looking to appoint a person to carry out administrative duties as required by law and be responsible for the financial records of the Council and the careful administration of its finances as required under the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
Previous experience in a similar role would be an advantage but is not essential.
Good written and verbal communication and IT skills are vital.
Some evening work will be required to take minutes at the meetings held every two months at Frilsham Clubroom.
The post is offered from April 2014 at 4 hours per week with the work being carried out at the Clerk’s Home.
Salary: £8.43 - £12.05 per hour dependent on experience.
Approved expenses are reimbursed.
Closing date: Midday Monday 10th March 2014
For an informal discussion phone Rosemarie Bateman, Frilsham Parish Clerk on 01635 200945
To apply send a CV with an accompanying letter to: Frilsham Parish Council,
White Shutters
Hampstead Norreys Rd
Hermitage
RG18 9RT
Or via e-mail to: frilshamparishcouncil@newburyweb.net
