Services Provided to Member Councils

Legal Advice

Confidential legal advice and assistance tailored to the  needs of parish and town councils. The CountyAssociation will take legal advice on behalf of member councils from solicitors dedicated to the law on local councils at the National Association of Local Councils, NALC.

Advice and Guidance for Council Chairmen and Clerks

Confidential guidance on correct procedure in councils, employment matters, and changes in legislation affecting local councils. Support is particularly important to council Clerks who are often working alone. A number of useful Good Practice Notes, and provided by solicitors at NALC, Legal Topic Notes are available in the members’ area of the website.

Two Hours Free of Specialists' Advice from

• Dedicated HR consultant with a knowledge of local councils
• Qualified independent planning consultant
• Experienced Clerk providing a Mentoring Service for New Clerks  and On the Ground Procedural, and Financial Advice.

Contact with Other Local Councils

The Association has a network of Area Committees, which provide an opportunity for sharing problems and experiences. Officers from other tiers of authority are invited to speak on topical issues. Area Committees and Larger Councils have an automatic right of nomination of members to the County Committee of the Association.

Rights and Interests of  Member Councils

• At national level, The National Association has been instrumental in raising the profile of parish and town councils with Government, which has resulted in for eg the Quality Parish Status Scheme. It is recognised nationally as the representative body of town and parish councils.
• At regional level the County Association with neighbouring Associations in the West Midlands is recognised by the remaining regional Government offices.
• At local level the CountyAssociation is recognised as the representative body in the local area, and has put in place the Local Councils’ Charter. Regular meetings are held to discuss highway and other issues.  Warwickshire County Council has made available HR advice to the Association.

Quality Status and the Power of General Competence

Guidance on Achieving Quality Status and making use of the Power of General Competence is available.

Training and Qualifications

Finances permitting, the subsidy of 2 for 1 places for councils with a budgeted income of less than £30K to attend County Training Partnership and Association briefing events will be continued. Through the County Training Partnership, WALC also provides a subsidised training scheme for the bespoke qualification for Clerks - The Certificate in Local Council Administration.

Financial Advice and Consent to Take Out Loans

Councils may seek guidance on the preparation of budgets, audit process VAT, financial risk management, regulations, reserves etc. Applications to obtain consent to take out Loans are made through the County Association.

Contact with Other Local Councils

The Association has a network of Area Committees, which provide an opportunity for sharing problems and experiences. Area Committees and Larger Councils have an automatic right of nomination of members to the CountyCommittee of the Association.

One Free Subscription to Local Councils’ Specialist Journal

Local Council Review is published by the National Association and contains news, and information on local council affairs.

Publications

Essential to all councils: Standing Orders for Local Councils, includes guidance on administration law, Governance and Accountability for Local Councils.  Supply of information booklets The good councillors’ guide, Being a good employer, Planning Explained: leaflets for the promotion of councils at election time All About Local Councils, Becoming a Parish Councillor