Sally Longmate, our CEO and two members of the SALC Board (Janet Davies and Mark Valladares) attended the NALC AGM held on Thursday 7th November via Zoom representing SALC and using our voting rights for relevant items on the agenda.  Agenda papers, reports and the NALC Annual Report are available using this link on the NALC website.  [To access locked documents on the NALC website you will need to set up an individual account (SALC members only).  Video guidance on how to do this is available here - https://youtu.be/zapNDmP8jjY?si=jtXhLh0Wm5ANHrO4

In summary:

• The AGM considered a 5% increase in the NALC subscription fee which was agreed following a vote.  A separate email about increases to membership fees will be sent direct to councils. 

• There have been a number of initiatives and changes over the past 12 months and some new services coming on board too.  We encourage councillors and clerks to subscribe to the NALC bulletins once registered on their website so that you can receive more details direct.   SALC will highlight relevant items too in their weekly bulletins and some of our own initiatives are designed to link in with national activities and support too.

• The work in the pipeline includes a re-write of the Good Councillor Guide on Finance, review of model standing orders, promotion of the local council award scheme, civility and respect, peer challenge support, job evaluation framework review.

• Councils are also encouraged to engage with the current consultation on remote meetings – details available here.

With a new government it has never been more important for us to use local and national networks to have our voice heard and demonstrate the value town and parish councils and parish meetings bring and the role they play.  Challenges continue to grow but that means it is even more important that we work together as a collective voice to highlight opportunity and change for the better where we can. More details will be circulated by NALC through their bulletins.