REMENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
A vacancy has arisen for the position of Clerk (and Responsible Financial Officer) from 1st May 2014.
The position requires an average of 15 hours per month. It is home based.
The clerk must have a computer with word, excel and broadband. There are a minimum of 12 evening meetings in Remenham per year and an occasional meeting in Wokingham. The position is salaried. Expenses are paid.
The clerk will ideally have a knowledge of local government procedures, financial (to audit), administration, communication and IT skills. Applicants with proven administration/financial skills who are willing to undertake the required training will be considered. Resident in or a connection with Remenham is desirable.
The closing date for applications 31st March 2014. Please contact the Chairman on 01491 576190 or email cherwell@btinternet.com
posted on 28th March 2014
Cllr Ken Browse, Chairman of NALC, is pleased to announce that Jonathan Owen has been appointed to the role of NALC Chief Executive. He will be taking up his post on 1st April 2014.
Jonathan has gained extensive experience of lobbying civil servants, MPs, Peers and MEPs on local government matters. Further to this he has managed high level human resources, communications, public affairs, ICT, audit and finance projects in a series of public sector organisations.
He has over 10 years of corporate change management and director level experience at various public sector bodies.
He has gained this experience working at senior level with Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Havering Borough Council and the LGA (Local Government Association).
Published 14th March 2014 by SLCC
Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has told the Communities and Local Government Committee that the Government plans to legislate to allow councillors to be sent agendas for council meetings electronically.
It was raised during the Committee’s #AskPickles evidence session that councils are currently required to send councillors meeting agendas in hard copy. A number of Twitter users, including several parishes, had submitted questions asking the Government to change the law so that councils could send agendas electronically, something for which SLCC has been pressing for several years.
Commenting, Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee, said:
“I was surprised to learn that councils in the 21st Century are prevented by law from sending out electronic copies of their agendas. Judging by the number of tweets we received, however, this is certainly a matter of concern for those working in local government. We hope to run another #AskPickles session within a year."
The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 sets out a new audit framework for local public authorities which are currently covered by the Audit Commission regime. Under the new framework local councils with an annual turnover not exceeding £25,000 will be exempt from routine external audit. They will be subject to the new transparency requirements laid out in the draft Code.
This consultation asks questions on the content and application of a draft audit-substitute transparency code for local councils. Specifically, the consultation requests feedback on:
• whether the code should be mandatory for parish councils with an annual turnover not exceeding £25,000
• whether parish meeting should be exempt from complying with the code
• whether authorities should publish the required information online
• how much additional staff time and cost will be involved for authorities in publishing the required data online.
The proposed code:
• will be mandatory for local councils, but will not apply to parish meetings. The Government believes this will ensure local electors have access to the documents and information previously seen by the Internal Auditor.
• will not replace or supersede the existing legal framework for access to public information.
• may include a threshold of expenditure for specific items, over which individual items must be published.
DCLG is also asking for an estimate of staff time and resources to meet the obligations of the proposed code.
The full consultation document can be downloaded here
In order to help shape NALC's submission it would welcome your responses by close of business on 22 April to Victoria.pymm@nalc.gov.uk
 |
| ocv.com |
The Legislative Reform Order comes into force on 13th March 2014; this repeals sec. 150 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and allows town and parish councils to use electronic forms of payment.
This is not mandatory but if your council wishes to take advantage it must formally put in place effective systems and arrangements compliant with the proper practices.
All member councils have been sent a Financial Briefing (F04E-14) which sets out where to find proper practice guidance on making electronic payments and revised model Financial Regulations.
F02-14 Accounting for council tax support grant in your council Annual Return
F03-14 Electronic payments of VAT, PAYE/NIC to HMRC
Two briefings have been sent to BALC member councils today.
- Our Big Gig returns to host hundreds of music events in communities across the nation from 11-13 July
- Grants and support available for event organisers who wish to programme community events in their areas
Our Big Gig, England’s largest community music festival is to return in 2014 from 11th to 13th July, Communities Minister Stephen Williams has announced today. Community organisations are now being urged to apply for an Our Big Gig grant to organise an event.
Funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, Our Big Gig will see the country unite to celebrate local music at community events, showcase new and existing talent and give people the opportunity to have a go at making music.
Last summer, over 200,000 people attended 326 Our Big Gig events which saw a wide variety of musical activities take place in a range of unusual spaces. From schools to skate parks, beaches to boats, some 14,600 people performed across the length and breadth of the country.
For 2014, all types of community organisations are being urged to apply to put on an event in their local area and bring together diverse groups of people through music. Be it a sports club, faith group or another, all successful applicants receive grant funding and event management training is provided.
Organised by music and arts organisation Superact, Our Big Gig grew from the Bandstand Marathon; an iconic London 2012 festival event that helped close the London Games with 9000 people across Britain simultaneously performing Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’.
As an official ‘Spirit of 2012’ legacy event, the Olympic feel good factor pervaded Our Big Gig in 2013 as 5,800 people volunteered to help at events and nearly 35,000 people took part in new musical activities.
Launching Our Big Gig for 2014, Communities Minister Stephen Williams said:
“Our Big Gig is a great opportunity for local people to take the lead in putting on a musical event that unites their local community, celebrates home grown talent and inspires people without a background in music to get involved.
“Like taking part in sport, making music has the power to transform lives and I’m really looking forward to events that inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved and make music part of their lives.”
Katharine Lane, Director at Superact added:
“Our Big Gig is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to put on a musical event in their community and reach out to people that they may not yet know.
“While Superact has been running community music events across the UK for years, we never cease to be amazed at the unifying power of music.
“We’re looking forward to receiving event applications from across the country and would encourage as many people as possible to apply before 4th April”
To apply to host an Our Big Gig event visit www.ourbiggig.co.uk and fill out the online form.
Deadline for applications – 4th April 2014
When: Wednesday 26th March 2014
Where: Galleon Suite A, Royal National Hotel, Bedford Way, London
With local government at all levels and public services facing unprecedented challengers to their funding and services, and a general election rapidly approaching in 2015, this timely one day conference explores What next for Localism? and Where next for parish councils?
Hear from the main political parties, members of Parliament, think tanks, academics, local government bodies and councils themselves about what the future might be for parish councils.
Click here for the NALC website which has more details of speakers and how to book a place.
