Dear Colleagues,
I am writing in my capacity as Chairman of the National Stakeholders to the Quality Council Scheme [1].
At our recent meeting the stakeholders discussed feedback from county associations (staff and members) and county accreditation panel members on the proposals for a revised quality scheme. I therefore wanted to let you know how we will be taking your feedback into account and how this will affect the timetable for the review and launch of the new scheme.
Overall, the responses confirmed that there is an appetite for a sector-led scheme in most counties and that a majority of respondents were enthused by the idea of making bold changes to the way the scheme looks and is managed.
Many responses presented new ideas for tackling some of the issues raised by the consultation or highlighted concerns about the effects of specific proposals and presented alternative suggestions. The stakeholders therefore agreed that the original timetable, which proposed a launch in autumn 2013, should be extended to allow more time to address and draw on this feedback with the aim of strengthening proposals for a scheme which is accessible to a greater number of councils.
The stakeholders also recognise that, following the agreement of proposals to establish a new Improvement & Development Board (IDB) which will oversee sector improvement including the new quality scheme, the role of the stakeholder group as it is currently formed is coming to an end. They have therefore agreed that the final draft of proposals for the new scheme should be considered by the IDB, which is due to hold its first meeting on 15th January 2014. This will mean that the new scheme will benefit from the improved and strengthened mechanisms for consultation which are built into the way the IDB will operate.
As Tamsin Hewett, NALC Improvement & Development Manager, will be leaving us at Christmas there will be some delay in producing a final draft of proposals for a new scheme. I would like to reassure you, however, that I am looking into alternative arrangements for producing revised proposals and we are still hoping to share the details of the new scheme with the sector in early 2014, with briefings for county associations and accreditation panels taking place before a formal launch in advance of the 2014 elections. We will be publicising a more detailed timetable in due course.
Thank you again to all of you who have contributed to the review of the scheme at any stage: I have no doubt that the time and thought that has gone into your contributions will be vital in helping us to shape a dynamic and successful new scheme which will raise the profile, credibility and quality of our councils.
With kind regards
Councillor Ken Browse
Chairman of the National Stakeholders to the Quality Council Scheme
Chairman, NALC
[1] The national stakeholders are: the National Association of Local Councils, the Society of Local Council Clerks, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Local Government Association.
Following the resignation of John Findlay, NALC are advertising for a new CEO.
The CEO is expected to have gained senior management experience leading a member organisation of similar comparable complexity.
The post holder will be responsible to the Chairman and Council and will provide leadership to NALC in a changing political environment, delivering value for money in terms of service.
The requires are that he/she will
- Manage the Association on a day to day basis and ensure the effectiveness of the Association in meeting the Council’s objectives in a changing political background;
- Promote and represent the Association and local council sector with government and other stakeholders in the community and nationally;
- Manage service delivery and ensure the provision of clear, regular, effective and timely communication with the National Council, County Associations of Local Councils and member councils (CALC’s) ;
In particular the CEO will:
- Work closely with CALCs in delivering quality and timely service deliver to Local Councils
- Ensure the continued growth and development of the sector and its standing and profile in the national political environment;
- Deliver an increase in business related activity to boost income and maximise the commercial potential of the Association;
- Working with National Council to develop strategies which will result in tangible improvements to the sector and ensure their delivery;
- Provide the leadership needed by the Council to manage the organisation and develop a culture which supports the values of the sector in all aspects of its business;
- Be an ambassador for the Association with national, regional and local bodies; be knowledgeable and aware of local issues, and recognise the sector’s role in the local community;
Enquiries about the role should be directed to, Caroline Green at nalcceo@the100company.com or telephone her on 0121 647 1100.
Dept of Transport consultation on car parking 
The consultation invites views on current local authority
parking strategies and specifically on options the Government is
considering to change the balance of how parking is enforced with the
aim of ensuring that parking strategies complement and enhance the
attractiveness of our high streets and town centres.
The Secretary of State for Transport is announcing that parking
penalty charge levels will be frozen for the remainder of this
Parliament. In addition under new requirements laid out in the
Transparency Code of Practice all local authorities will be required to
make clear all revenues from parking in annual reports and where that
revenue goes.
There are ten questions that the consultation is seeking responses to:
- Do you consider local authority parking enforcement is being applied fairly and reasonably in your area?
- The Government intends to abolish the use of CCTV cameras
for parking enforcement. Do you have any views or comments on this
proposal?
- Do you think the traffic adjudicators should have wider powers to allow appeals?
- Do you agree that guidance should be updated to make clear
in what circumstances adjudicators may award costs? If so, what should
those circumstances be?
- Do you think motorists who lose an appeal at a parking tribunal should be offered a 25% discount for prompt payment?
- Do you think local residents and firms should be able to
require councils to review yellow lines, parking provision, charges etc
in their area? If so, what should the reviews cover and what should be
the threshold for triggering a review?
- Do you think that authorities should be required by regulation to allow a grace period at the end of paid for parking?
- Do you think that a grace period should be offered more
widely – for example a grace period for overstaying in free parking
bays, at the start of pay and display parking and paid for parking bays,
and in areas where there are parking restrictions (such as loading
restrictions, or single yellow lines)?
- If allowed, how long do you think the grace period should be?
- Do you think the Government should be considering any
further measures to tackle genuinely anti-social parking or driving? If
so, what?
The consultation can be found here. The consultation closes on 14th February 2014
Draft regulations to simplify the listed buildings consent process have been published for consultation.
Based on an
article from Planning Resource by Michael Donnelly
The consultation seeks views on the draft secondary legislation that has been prepared to accompany the heritage elements of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013.
The Act contains a number of provisions that directly affect the historic environment with the majority relating to listed buildings. Some of these require the preparation of secondary legislation before they are commenced on 6 April 2014.
The consultation document contains three draft regulations which relate to Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreements, Local Listed Building Consent Orders and Certificates of Lawfulness of Proposed Works.
It also considers the "principles and approach in taking forward a programme of National Listed Building Consent Orders". Draft regulations on these will be published at a later date.
Under the government's plans, Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreements would be established between councils and owners of large heritage estates to help manage changes over the long term without needing lots of repeat applications.
The consultation says these "have the potential, particularly when used as the basis for a management agreement, to act as a focus for owners, local planning authorities and other partners in reaching a consensus view on the medium-long term management and maintenance of the listed building(s) covered, to increase certainty over the aspirations and requirements of all parties, and to save time and resource for the partners".
Local Listed Building Consent Orders would be created by local planning authorities to grant general listed building consent for certain works of alteration or extension (but not demolition) of certain listed buildings in their area.
Certificates of Lawfulness of Proposed Works would allow owners and developers to obtain formal confirmation that works of alteration or extension (but not demolition) of a listed building which they wish to undertake do not require listed building consent because they do not affect the special architectural or historic interest of the building.
National Listed Building Consent Orders would be similar to Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreements but would allow the secretary of state to grant a general listed building consent for works for the alteration and extension (but not demolition) of listed buildings.
The document says initial ideas on what could be included in a prospective order "should be discussed between key interested parties including the owner or manager of the group of nationally distributed listed buildings to be covered by the proposals, English Heritage, and relevant local planning authorities".
The consultation says each draft order would be "debated and voted on in Parliament".
The document says a pilot National Listed Building Consent Order is being developed with the Canal and River Trust which would be used to test the methodology for developing future orders
Amongst other questions the document asks whether the duration of a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement should be left to the discretion of individual local planning authorities and whether councils should only consult English Heritage on draft Local Listed Building Consent Orders where they cover Grade I and II* listed buildings.
Heritage minister Ed Vaizey said: "These provisions will provide real benefits for owners and local authorities by cutting costs and reducing bureaucracy. But they will also ensure existing levels of heritage protection are maintained whilst allowing local authorities to deliver a more effective and efficient service."
The consultation will run for 6 weeks and closes on 27 January 2014.
Neighbourhood planning: a simple guide for councillors (mainly aimed at ward councillors)
Update December 2013
The Localism Act sets out how communities will be able to get more involved in planning for their areas – specifically around creating plans and policies to guide new development and in some cases granting planning permission for certain types of development.
Neighbourhood planning is about letting the people who know about and care for an area plan for it. It is led by the residential and business community, not the council, and is about building neighbourhoods – not stopping growth.
Neighbourhood planning is optional but if adopted by the Council, neighbourhood plans and orders will have weight becoming part of the plan making framework for your area.
Neighbourhood planning is also not entirely new – it can build on existing community planning work. If you felt a bit removed from planning as a ward councillor then neighbourhood planning is an opportunity for you to get more involved – even if you've previously been put off planning by perceived complexity, controversy or jargon. -
Download the guide and see more on the Planning Advisory Service website
The European Commission launched a consultation how VAT rules may be reviewed. The consultation can be viewed here.
The consultation is open until 14th February 2014. Many of the major organisations such as ACRE and NALC are aware of the consultation and will be putting forward their views. However, your council may want to be aware as it may affect the recoverability of VAT on non business activities and if so minded respond to the consultation.
NALC's briefing is in the Members Area of the NALC website under Financial Briefings in the Legal section
SWALLOWFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE POSITION OF PARISH CLERK (part time)
Overall Responsibilities:
The Clerk to the Council will be the Proper Officer of the Council and as such is under a statutory duty to carry out all the functions, and in particular to serve or issue all the notifications required by law of a local authority's Proper Officer. The Clerk is expected to advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of the Council's activities and in particular to produce all the information required for making effective decisions and to implement constructively all decisions. The person appointed will be accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and will report to them as and when required. The Clerk will work with the Responsible Financial Officer towards the careful administration of the Council’s finances.
We are looking for a self-motivated and friendly person, preferably living within the Parish or with strong links to the community,
to replace our Parish Clerk who is retiring
Applicants should have strong organisational skills, the ability to manage an office and small team, be IT literate and have good people skills
Training for other necessary skills will be provided
Hours: 28 per week, based at the Parish Office, Swallowfield - some evening work will be expected (attendance at meetings)
Pay range – £20,000 to £30,000 (pro rata)
Dependent on experience
Applicants should send a CV and covering letter in the first instance to the address below. For further details please visit the website or contact the Clerk.
Closing date: 3lst January 2014
Swallowfield Parish Council, Parish Office, Swallowfield Street,
Swallowfield, Berks RG7 1WX
Tel: 0118 988 5929 or email clerk@swallowfieldpc.gov.uk
Website: www.swallowfieldpc.gov.uk
