WALC Events and Training

Transparency Fund Networking Event - Help your council comply with the Transparency Code

Applications must be received by WALC no later than Wednesday 7th February 2018. This is an opportunity to gain advice from representatives from both WALC and NALC on applying for grants from the fund, meet representatives from other councils and share best practice.

This training session will cover what all clerks and councillors need to know in preparation for the end of year accounts on 31st March.

The course wil be led by Gill Lungley -  Gill has represented Worcestershire as county representative at SLCC’s NEC and is a member of the Institute of Local Council Management.  Currently Gill works part-time for two parish councils as well as delivering CALC training.

In order to reach as wide an audience as possible, PKF Littlejohn are running an interactive webinar on Tuesday 23rd January at 11am – 12.30pm.

Please note this event is not being run by WALC

So you think you know what a Councillor does?

• Do you make decisions on behalf of your Council?
• Spend Council money as you see fit?
• Fall asleep in meetings and forget what you offered to do?
• Exhibit extreme behaviour with officers and fellow members?

Perhaps there are better ways of conducting Council business......

This training session will cover what all clerks and councillors need to know in preparation for the end of year accounts on 31st March.

The course wil be led by Gill Lungley -  Gill has represented Worcestershire as county representative at SLCC’s NEC and is a member of the Institute of Local Council Management.  Currently Gill works part-time for two parish councils as well as delivering CALC training.

The course focuses on the management and operation of cemeteries in compliance with the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 and associated legislation. Common problems are discussed and ways to avoid these by using the law.

Focus on Local Democracy

DUE TO THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN

CANCELLED

March 2018 will only be a little over a year before the next round of elections for most of our councils.  We are very aware of the difficulty many councils have in attracting people to stand as Councillors and with that in mind we are getting together a wide range of contributors to look at varying aspects of this problem and they will provide ideas on how you might encourage your communities to get involved.

‘Dragging Data Protection into the 21st century’

This course will run again on 3rd May 2018

This half-day course will give an overview of the changes to data protection introduced by the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR). This will become law on 25^th May 2018.  It is the most significant updating of the law relating to personal data in two decades and includes the (qualified) “right to be forgotten”, the creation of a statutory “data protection officer” and the obligation to have explicit consent to process data.

To ensure that safeguarding and safe practice is understood and embedded within voluntary and community sector organisations and groups.

This free event is open to delegates from the WALC area.  You do not need to be in membership or even a councillor to attend, however you do need your local council to endorse your registration.

This short seminar will explore the different types of planning applications, what those applications include and how best to respond to them.  There will also be a brief overview of the appeal process and the use of planning conditions.

The course will be led by WALC Planning Advisor Neil Pearce of Avon Planning Services

We are re-running this event on 15 September 2018

Please note the change of venue of this event (previously Corley Village Hall)

‘Dragging Data Protection into the 21st century’

This half-day course will give an overview of the changes to data protection introduced by the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR). This will become law on 25^th May 2018.  It is the most significant updating of the law relating to personal data in two decades and includes the (qualified) “right to be forgotten”, the creation of a statutory “data protection officer” and the obligation to have explicit consent to process data.

Please note the change of venue for this event (was Eathorpe)

Two sessions focusing upon setting up your council's social media; attend one or both

The growth in social media use has been rapid; and today it is used by all ages and all types of organisation. There is no doubt that Facebook and Twitter are the most widely used; and so we are running two workshops, looking at why and how to put your parish on these social networks.

10am - 12 noon: Getting Started with Twitter 

12.45pm - 3.15pm: Putting Your Organisation on Facebook 

The training will be led by David Green, Green Pepper

Maximim two delegates per council
once the course is fully booked you can join our waiting list, if we get enough interest we will run the course again later in the year

This session will be led by Bill Robinson and is aimed at both Clerks and Councillors. While it is logical that Part One is taken before Part Two it is not essential as there is no overlap between the two courses

This session concentrates on Parish Councils and the law and how they operate through meetings

This session will be led by Kim Bedford and is aimed at both Clerks and Councillors. While it is logical that Part One is taken before this session it is not essential as there is no overlap between the two courses

This session concentrates on Finance, Planning and Community

Open to councils from Stratford on Avon District

After a very sucessful event held last year, it was agreed that further oportunities should be explored into holding a future event where the topic was of mutual interest to all 3 tiers.

This year's event will therefore be on the topic of Parking with the aims and objectives of the event being:-

• to strengthen partnership working and relationships between Councillors from all authorities
• to have a better understanding and awareness of each other's roles around parking issues, including on and off road parking, enforcement, signage, yellow lines, parking around schools etc.

This short seminar will explore the different types of planning applications, what those applications include and how best to respond to them.  The course will be led by WALC Planning Advisor Neil Pearce of Avon Planning Services

The 3P’s will take delegates through the budget setting process starting with the basics of who will be involved right through to understanding the impact of the council’s decision on the town or parish’s council tax payers. On the way we will identify the plans that are needed to ensure the council and its community can move forward with confidence and understanding.

The course will be led by Gill Lungley

This half day event will cover the basics in managing the inspections of your playgrounds and will consist of both theory and practical sessions.  We will be visiting two playground for the practical parts of the training.

The course will be led by TCL Group RPII inspector Dan Clifft and supported by our Technical Director Jonathan Highley who is also RPII operationally trained.

Places are limited to 2 delegates per council - priority will be given to WALC member councils

Does your council consist of members elected by default because no one else was bothered to stand? 

Do you often have casual vacancies that are difficult to fill? 

With local council elections taking place on 2^nd May 2019 NOW is the time to prepare, to ensure the council’s seats are contested and democracy is alive and well!  

Does your council consist of members elected by default because no one else was bothered to stand? 

Do you often have casual vacancies that are difficult to fill? 

With local council elections taking place on 2^nd May 2019 NOW is the time to prepare, to ensure the council’s seats are contested and democracy is alive and well!  

 This session on Community Engagement will look at how to avoid the pitfalls so that you can be confident you are doing your best for your residents by identifying the individual parts of ‘the community’, your partnerships, resources and potential.

Is every meeting you chair run efficiently and effectively?
Do you encourage and manage the debate and discussion?
If you get to chair meetings, whether they are Council meetings, committee meetings, voluntary bodies, fundraising, or community groups, then this is the session for you.

This training session will cover what all clerks and councillors need to know in preparation for the end of year accounts on 31st March.

The course wil be led by Gill Lungley -  Gill has represented Worcestershire as county representative at SLCC’s NEC and is a member of the Institute of Local Council Management.  Currently Gill works part-time for two parish councils as well as delivering CALC training.

Local councils can only do things for which they have a specific power but the range of powers and the courts’ interpretation of them is in constant flux.   In addition new duties are created at what can seem a frantic rate.   This training session will help you to understand and cope with recent changes and those in the pipeline.

If you are coming to this event please note that parking may be limited; please car share if possible.

This session explains how VAT affects local councils, with practical exercises to help develop your understanding and is suitable for Clerks, Finance Officers, councillors on finance committees and councillors who wish to develop their knowledge in this area. 

Essential for any council contemplating major building projects.

This short seminar will explore the different types of planning applications, what those applications include and how best to respond to them.  The course will be led by WALC Planning Advisor Neil Pearce of Avon Planning Services

This half day event will cover the basics in managing the inspections of your playgrounds and will consist of both theory and practical sessions.  We will be visiting playgrounds for the practical parts of the training.

The course will be led by TCL Group RPII inspector Dan Clifft and supported by our Technical Director Jonathan Highley who is also RPII operationally trained.

Places are limited to 2 delegates per council - priority will be given to WALC member councils

Aimed at newly elected Councillors, or those who have not previously attended training and newly appointed Clerks and Council Officers, this course will give an overview of what a Parish Council is and it's statutory duties and powers.

Registration will be required to attend and will open prior to the election date in May.

Aimed at newly elected Councillors, or those who have not previously attended training and newly appointed Clerks and Council Officers, this course will give an overview of what a Parish Council is and it's statutory duties and powers.

Registration will be required to attend and will open prior to the election date in May.

Who should come?
The training is aimed at experienced Councillors, especially those considering becoming the Chairman/Vice Chairman of their Council or Chairman of a Council Committee.

This course will be repeated further north in the area on 5th October.

Aimed at newly elected Councillors, or those who have not previously attended training and newly appointed Clerks and Council Officers, this course will give an overview of what a Parish Council is and it's statutory duties and powers.

Registration will be required to attend and will open prior to the election date in May.

Aimed at newly elected Councillors, or those who have not previously attended training and newly appointed Clerks and Council Officers, this course will give an overview of what a Parish Council is and it's statutory duties and powers.

Registration will be required to attend and will open prior to the election date in May.

Aimed at newly elected Councillors, or those who have not previously attended training and newly appointed Clerks and Council Officers, this course will give an overview of what a Parish Council is and it's statutory duties and powers.

Registration will be required to attend and will open prior to the election date in May.

Aimed at newly elected Councillors, or those who have not previously attended training and newly appointed Clerks and Council Officers, this course will give an overview of what a Parish Council is and it's statutory duties and powers.

Registration will be required to attend and will open prior to the election date in May.

Understanding Council Meetings and the Law

This is one of a two part essential training session for new Councillors, Clerks and Council Officers (you can attend them in any order)

This session concentrates on Parish/Town Councils and the law and how they operate through meetings.

This event is open to Parish Councillors in Stratford upon Avon area together with District Councillors and those from the County Council that have constituencies in this part of the County.

The theme this year is Rural Transport something that is a concern to all Parish Councils.  We are interpreting this topic in the broadest possible terms so it will involve everything from scheduled bus routes through community minibuses down to volunteer drivers.

We are expecting there will be a high demand for seats on this topic so Councils will be limited to two places each.

Understanding Finance, Planning and Community

This is one of a two part essential training session for new Councillors, Clerks and Council Officers (you can attend the sessions in any order).

This session concentrates on Finance, Planning and Community.

This short seminar will explore the different types of planning applications, what those applications include and how best to respond to them.  The course will be led by WALC Planning Advisor Neil Pearce of Avon Planning Services

Who should come?
The training is aimed at experienced Councillors, especially those considering becoming the Chairman/Vice Chairman of their Council or Chairman of a Council Committee.

Understanding Council Meetings and the Law

This is one of a two part essential training session for new Councillors, Clerks and Council Officers (you can attend them in any order)

This session concentrates on Parish/Town Councils and the law and how they operate through meetings.

This year is the start of a full four-year cycle and is the perfect time to think ahead about what your council can and should be doing during that time.  Many of you will have new councillors and it is important to engage them in a new programme for your Council while they are enthusiastic.  For that reason, we have selected a range of topics that should apply widely and will hopefully inspire you to pick up on some of the ideas.

Understanding Finance, Planning and Community

This is one of a two part essential training session for new Councillors, Clerks and Council Officers (you can attend the sessions in any order).

This session concentrates on Finance, Planning and Community.

The 3P’s will take delegates through the budget setting process starting with the basics of who will be involved right through to understanding the impact of the council’s decision on the town or parish’s council tax payers. On the way we will identify the plans that are needed to ensure the council and its community can move forward with confidence and understanding.

The course will be led by Gill Lungley

This training session will cover what all Clerks and Councillors need to know in preparation for the end of year accounts on 31st March.

Have you got listed buildings; conservation areas or other heritage assets in your community?

Are you worried that they may be threatened by future development?

If so, this is the course for you! Learn about this specialised area of planning and the legislation that you can use to help protect your important historic environment.  

Jane Moore – Head of NALCs legal team will be updating members about recent developments in legislation and will discuss the implications for Parish Councils.

It is a varied programme and hopefully all of you will find something of interest