Free Member Services

Councils who employ more than 2 members of staff have direct access to the HR consultant.  

• General Employment Law Advice.

• Disciplinary and grievance matters.

• Redundancy and restructuring.

• Recruitment.

• Local Government Terms and Conditions.

• Coaching, mentoring and mediation on employment issues.

• Appraisals, and performance management including capability issues.

• Sickness and absence management including stress risk assessments.

• HAY Job Evaluation.

Eric Knibb of Castle Bromwich Parish Council said this about the service in August 2019

"Can I thank & praise the excellent advice that we received from Graham Elston yesterday.  I am sure that it will lead now to a positive outcome and the Council will now progress forward due to the valuable help, advice and guidance options Graham offered us. The free 2 hour service is an absolute boon that WALC makes available to its membership."

• Mentoring Service for new Clerks – to go through their role.
• Assist with Procedural and Financial Matters – this can assist both the clerk and the Chairman.
• Relationship Problems within Councils.
• Provide guidance on health and safety issues.
• Any other assistance which is best provided face to face.
• Free desk top legal advice service

There will be a limit set by the Association on the number of occasions the same council can benefit from the two free hours in the year. 

Remember the first two hours of these specialists’ time is offered free of charge to member councils. 

Extra hours will be charged by the specialist by agreement with the council.

Contact WALC to access this service

The first two hours per enquiry per council of any of these services is FREE TO MEMBER COUNCILS every year of your membership

Requests for WALC funding for the Planning Consultant are made by the Clerk after an agenda item has been approved and minuted for the cCouncil to resolve to make this request.

APS has a proven track record of public sector clients including several parish and town councils in Warwickshire.

• Responses to planning applications.
• Queries on Planning Authority Procedures.
• Representing at public meetings.
• Advising council representatives attending planning committees and hearings.
• Negotiating with developers on behalf of the council.
• Assistance with Neighbourhood Area Applications.
• Assistance with Neighbourhood Development Plans.
• Any other planning related matter.

This service is being provided by Avon Planning Services

Contact Neil Pearce, BA (Hons) DipTp MRTPI  

Mobile: 07786 161872 Email: neil@avonplanning.co.uk  Website: www.avonplanning.co.uk

Subject to availability Neil will provide an out of hours service, so if during a  meeting your council has a query on planning matters you may ring him on his mobile.