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Services

WALC provides a comprehensive range of services and benefits for its members. Training seminars carry a reasonable extra charge. Please contact us for more information.

Legal advice

Legal advice and assistance tailored to the needs of parish and town councils. WALC will seek legal advice on behalf of members from NALC's specialist solicitors.

Advice and guidance for council chairmen and clerks

Guidance on correct procedure and changes in legislation. General support is particularly important to Council clerks, who are often working on their own.

Protecting the rights and interests of member councils

Protection and advancement of members' interests at local and national level. NALC is recognised by Central Government as the representative body of town and parish councils and was instrumental in ensuring the enhanced role given to councils in both Urban and Rural White Papers.

Training

WALC is the lead body in the County Training Partnership, which was set up to provide training to parish and town councils. All local authorities in Warwickshire and Solihull are partners, as are the Warwickshire Rural Community Council, the Society of Local Council Clerks and the local training associates. The aim of the partnership is to provide bespoke training for councillors and clerks and to promote a culture of training within parish and town councils.

Topics covered in the past have included Induction for New Councillors and Clerks, Safety in Burial Grounds and Responding to Planning Applications. A course of study is also provided for clerks studying for the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CILCA).

WALC is continuing to organise its very popular Annual Training Day, which provides sessions on topical issues and workshops relevant to the work of parish and town councils.

Financial advice

Guidance on:

Borrowing consent forms (required by the Dept of Communities and Local Government before a council is given consent to take out a loan) can be obtained through WALC.

Contact with other local councils

WALC has a network of Area Committees, which provide an opportunity for sharing problems and experiences. Area Committees and larger local councils have an automatic right to nominate members to the County Committee.

Subscription to Local Council Review

Local Council Review, NALC's journal, contains news, information and articles on local council affairs.

Bi-monthly Newsletter

The Association send out a newletter every two months, which provides notice of and guidance on legal developments affecting parish and town councils, as well as current news.