Area Meeting Presentation February 2015

1. Area Meeting Presentation February 2015 Justin Robinson, Somerset Association of Local Councils

2. Local Government Finance Settlement • Announced December 2014 but was not confirmed until early February 2015 • Continued reductions in government grant for principal authorities • Strongest indication yet that DCLG is minded to extend capping • Council Tax Support Grant now included in the general figure of government grant

3. Capping • Strong response from NALC, CALCs and member councils • Announced that capping will not be extended to town/parish councils for 2015/16 • DCLG indicating that if capping were to be introduced, it would only apply to larger precepting parishes • Band D equivalent figure of £150 per household likely threshold

4. Council Tax Support Grant • WSDC has already decided to keep the grant • Other districts likely to pass on what they receive but the future outlook is very uncertain • Remember it was introduced as a transitional grant • SALC advice remains the same: don’t rely on this too much!

5. Local Council Award Scheme • Launched January 2015, to replace Quality Council Scheme • Existing Quality Councils can register for a free year at Foundation Level but this needs to be done by the end of February • The central principle: The scheme is designed to recognise achievement and set a framework for continuous improvement

6. LCAS: The Benefits • Improved performance and confidence, with policies in place for continuous development • Recognition and respect for commitment and hard work • Assurance of being up-to-date and progressive • Providing the community with confidence that the council is delivering to a national professional standard

7. LCAS: The Scheme • Three Levels: - Foundation (minimum standards) - Quality (good practice) - Quality Gold (best practice) • Three key themes: - Good governance - Community leadership - Council development

8. NALC Register Update records CALC Ready to start Panel assessment Decision Aware of registration I want to take part Council Criteria in place Celebrate!

9. LCAS: Info • Section currently under development for the SALC website • A full briefing session will be held after the elections • Likely to be a regional conference in the summer on the theme of best practice

10. CiLCA • CiLCA 2015 likely to be launched in April 2015 • Does not replace existing CiLCA which will remain fully valid; no requirement to take extra modules • Stronger academic focus, NVQ level 3 recognition • Those currently studying will not be disadvantaged in any way

11. Transparency Code • Likely to be placed before Parliament this March, with elements coming into force in April 2015 and July 2015 • Read the guidance issued by DCLG – available on the SALC website • Lack of clarity around whether this will run alongside the current external audit arrangements in the interim

12. Elections 2015 • Parish/Town council elections this May • What do clerks need to do? – absolutely nothing prior to the elections! • What do councillors need to do? - organise themselves - publicise in the local community • Elections are a basic democratic right and not something to fear

13. Elections Info • New section available on the SALC website, with public access • Be aware of the key dates (Please see separate sheet) • If standing for election or re-election it is best to get forms in promptly so that any mistakes can be rectified • SDC election session for clerks March 3rd

14. Post Election Training • Multiple sessions will be held in each district area by SALC to cover basic new councillor training • SDC will also offer some training in specific areas, eg. Equalities training, Code of Conduct • There may well be some joint training in certain key areas such as planning • SALC can also offer bespoke training for individual/groups of councils

15. Other Issues • Review your Financial Regs!!!! The external auditor is almost certain to want to see evidence of this • Parish Polls consultation • SALC is on the move! • ??? Any Other Questions ???