WALC Meetings & Events

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.

The next meeting of the Solihull Area Committee will be on Tuesday 15^th January 2019 commencing at 7.30 pm, by kind permission of Hampton Parish Council, will be held at Hampton Meeting Rooms, Fentham Hall, Marsh Lane, Hampton-in-Arden. B92 0AH. There is a car park at the rear.

You are reminded that meetings of the Solihull Area Committee (SAC) are open to Local Councils within the Borough of Solihull, whether or not they are in membership of the Warwickshire & West Midlands Association (WALC).  Each Local Council may appoint two representatives to the SAC.  Clerks are always welcome to attend.

Ever wondered what a Parish Councillor does?

Ever thought about becoming one?

Then this meeting is for you!

Ever wondered what a Parish Councillor does?

Ever thought about becoming one?

Then this meeting is for you!

Ever wondered what a Parish Councillor does?

Ever thought about becoming one?

Then this meeting is for you!

Ever wondered what a Parish Councillor does?

Ever thought about becoming one?

Then this meeting is for you!

An Invitation to Meet Your Warwickshire Association Representatives and Fellow Clerks At The WALC Parish And Town Council Liaison Meeting For Those Parishes in The Stratford Area

and

Planning Procedures with Stratford District Council

Ever wondered what a Parish Councillor does?

Ever thought about becoming one?

Then this meeting is for you!

The next meeting of the Solihull Area Committee will be on Thursday 18th April 2019 commencing at 7.30 pm at The Pavilion Kingshurst PC.

You are reminded that meetings of the Solihull Area Committee (SAC) are open to Local Councils within the Borough of Solihull, whether or not they are in membership of the Warwickshire & West Midlands Association (WALC).  Each Local Council may appoint two representatives to the SAC.  Clerks are always welcome to attend.

The next meeting of the Solihull Area Committee will be on Thursday 4th July 2019 commencing at 7.30 pm at The Pavilion, Meriden Sports Park.

You are reminded that meetings of the Solihull Area Committee (SAC) are open to Local Councils within the Borough of Solihull, whether or not they are in membership of the Warwickshire & West Midlands Association (WALC). 

Each Local Council may appoint two representatives to the SAC.  Clerks are always welcome to attend.

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.

An Invitation to Meet Your Warwickshire Association Representatives and Fellow Clerks At The WALC Parish And Town Council Liaison Meeting For Those Parishes in The Stratford Area and Planning Conditions with Stratford District Council

Warwickshire County Council and WALC are collaborating to organise a consultation day focussed exclusively on Parish Councils.  The day is free and a buffet lunch will be provided.

The day will help inform the action plans relating to Warwickshire County Council strategies on the Voluntary and Community Sector and Heritage and Culture.

Those that attend will make a difference; you will be listened to.  Please try to attend this important day focussing specifically on the views of your sector

Catch up and chat about the current situation with regards to Parish and Town Councils.

This space is for Clerks and Council Officers only.  No councillors please.

Meeting ID: 272-239-725

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you do not already have the Zoom app installed you can download it here https://zoom.us/download (the app is much better than running Zoom in a browser).

Weekly every Thursday

Catch up and chat about the current situation with regards to Parish and Town Councils.

This space is for Clerks and Council Officers only.  No councillors please.

Meeting ID: 272-239-725

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you do not already have the Zoom app installed you can download it here https://zoom.us/download (the app is much better than running Zoom in a browser).

Parish Online is a powerful digital mapping tool, enabling Local Councils to store and manage assets, produce neighbourhood plans and engage with the public. 

This free introduction session to their services will look at the basic tools, function and mapping data and how to use it to maximise benefit to your Council.  They will also look at Local Council case studies and answer any questions you may have.

Parish Online is a powerful digital mapping tool, enabling Local Councils to store and manage assets, produce neighbourhood plans and engage with the public. 

This free introduction session to their services will look at the basic tools, function and mapping data and how to use it to maximise benefit to your Council.  They will also look at Local Council case studies and answer any questions you may have.

The next meeting of the Solihull Area Committee will be on Thursday 9th July 2020 commencing at 7.30 pm on Zoom

You are reminded that meetings of the Solihull Area Committee (SAC) are open to Local Councils within the Borough of Solihull, whether or not they are in membership of the Warwickshire & West Midlands Association (WALC). 

Each Local Council may appoint two representatives to the SAC.  Clerks are always welcome to attend.

Catch up and chat about the current situation with regards to Parish and Town Councils.

This space is for Clerks and Council Officers only.  No councillors please.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you do not already have the Zoom app installed you can download it here https://zoom.us/download.

Join planning expert Neil Pearce who will present the Proposed changes to the Planning System and how they would impact on parishes - especially in rural parishes.

The government  is out for consultation on two documents that will be discussed in his session.  The deadlines to respond are 1st October and 29th October. 

This session will give you an understanding of what is proposed and therefore enable you to make responses to the government consultations.

Please note that this is a briefing, not a training, session, only Members who have a good understanding of the current planning regulations should register.

Due to the low capacity of this event places are limited to one representative per Member Council.

This session will be recorded and shared in the Members area shortly afterwards for those who were unable to get a place.

Catch up and chat about the current situation with regards to Parish and Town Councils with John Crossling.

This space is for Member Chairman only.  No Clerks please.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you do not already have the Zoom app installed you can download it here (the app is much better than running Zoom in a browser).

The next meeting of the Solihull Area Committee will be on Tuesday 20th October 2020 commencing at 7.30 pm on Zoom

You are reminded that meetings of the Solihull Area Committee (SAC) are open to Local Councils within the Borough of Solihull, whether or not they are in membership of the Warwickshire & West Midlands Association (WALC). 

Each Local Council may appoint two representatives to the SAC.  Clerks are always welcome to attend. 

Open to all Parish and Town Councils in Solihull Metropolitan Borough, Coventry and Birmingham

Keynote speaker: Jonathan Owen, Chief Executive, National Association of Local Councils

Localism on steroids!

Next steps for local councils in building stronger communities.

Download: WALC AGM 2020 Agenda

Read the 71st WALC Annual Report

Catch up and chat about the current situation with regards to Parish and Town Councils.

This space is for Clerks and Council Officers only.  No councillors please.

The next Stratford Area Committee is Thursday 14^th January 2021 @ 6.00 pm via Zoom

The topic will be “DIGITAL FIRST CENSUS – 21^ST MARCH 2021”

Post meeting update

Link to the recording for the meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/DQ2aOb1b-wOBnlk1ge3E6GXqF9JAJnQawqT37avL5EUZccb_g4fVfgmmRb_twEdK.NFIDvnVJbbb9fRcH

Passcode: 8HZGZL$j

Please find the slides attached below.

To:       All Parish and Town Councils in Solihull Metropolitan Borough, Coventry and Birmingham

The next meeting of the Solihull Area Committee will be a virtual meeting on Thursday 14^th January 2021 commencing 7.15pm

Speakers

• Mark Andrews MRTPI, Head of Planning, Design and Engagement Services
• Jenny Holmes, Adults Principal Social Worker (Adult Care and Support Directorate)

WALC’s CEO, Ja’Neen Day, will open the meeting with updates on latest developments then open the floor to Members. If you have any specific questions, please email events@walc.org.uk in advance of the meeting.

We would like as many Chairmen to attend as possible; our aim is to make these meetings as relevant and worthwhile for all.

This space is for Member Chairmen only.  No Clerks please.

Open to members of the public

We will be explaining how to become a Councillor; what is expected of you and why it can be very rewarding.  

Ever wondered what a Parish Councillor does?  Ever thought about becoming one?  Then this meeting is for you!

Watch the recording on Facebook Live, or YouTube

Focus on speeding and road safety

Guest speakers

• Jo Edwards, WCC Lead Commissioner for Safety Engineering
• Chief Inspector (Warwickshire Police) Faz Chishtry
• Ken Bratley, Community Speed Watch

Free Discussion about Cheaper Power for Parish Councils  while Helping the Planet

Are you responsible for street lighting or running a community building?  Then this talk should be of interest to you. 

This is an opportunity to hear from a company that may be able to save you money on your fuel costs (Gas and Electricity) and to ask them questions. 

They specialise in green energy so they may be able to help you reduce your carbon footprint at the same time!

To:       All Parish and Town Councils in Solihull Metropolitan Borough, Coventry and Birmingham

The next meeting of the Solihull Area Committee will be a virtual meeting on Tuesday 20th April  2021 commencing 7.15pm

We have Paul Tovey (Head of Highways) and Stephen Wilkinson Senior Enforcement Officer joining us for what should be interesting talks . If you think of any specific questions, you would like addressed, please email dave.cuthbert@hamptoninarden.org.uk and I will forward them in the appropriate direction.

Cllr.Dave Cuthbert  SAC Chair

To: All Parish and Town Councils in Solihull Metropolitan Borough, Coventry and Birmingham

The next meeting  will be the Annual General Meeting of the Solihull Area Committee and will be held on Tuesday 20^th July commencing 7.15pm.

You are reminded that meetings of the Solihull Area Committee (SAC) are open to Local Councils within the Borough of Solihull, whether or not they are in membership of the Warwickshire & West Midlands Association (WALC). Each Local Council may appoint two representatives to the SAC. Clerks are always welcome to attend.

To: All Parish and Town Councils in Solihull Metropolitan Borough, Coventry and Birmingham

The next meeting  will be the Annual General Meeting of the Solihull Area Committee and will be held on Thursday 7 October commencing 7.15pm.

You are reminded that meetings of the Solihull Area Committee (SAC) are open to Local Councils within the Borough of Solihull, whether or not they are in membership of the Warwickshire & West Midlands Association (WALC). Each Local Council may appoint two representatives to the SAC. Clerks are always welcome to attend.

Climate Emergency: Practical Steps for Parish Councils

Friday 22nd - Saturday 23rd October 2021

Join us for a two day online Conference with a range of speakers to help local Councils play their part in addressing climate change.

Before the formal AGM there will be a short presentation by Nick Page, Chief Executive of Solihull Council entitled “Perspectives on Policy Development and Roll Out”.  There will be an opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

Please download the agenda and supporting papers from the attachments section.

Join the meeting

Catch up and chat about the current situation with regards to Parish and Town Councils.

This space is for Clerks and Council Officers only.  No councillors please.

WALC’s CEO, Ja’Neen Day, will open the meeting with updates on latest developments then open the floor to Members. If you have any specific questions, please email events@walc.org.uk in advance of the meeting.

We would like as many Chairmen to attend as possible; our aim is to make these meetings relevant and worthwhile for all.

We would like as many Clerks to attend as possible; our aim is to make these meetings as beneficial and worthwhile for all attending.

WALC’s CEO, Ja’Neen Day, will begin by updating you on all the latest developments then open the floor to questions.

If you have any specific questions you would like addressing, please email events@walc.org.uk in advance of the meeting.

Our next meeting has been arranged for Thursday, 7^th July @ 7.00m pm.

Ja’Neen Day, the new CEO of WALC, will be our guest speaker to introduce herself to those that don’t know her and to explain the changes and what benefits can be expected and how she envisages developing the services at WALC.

She will also give advice regarding “Levelling Up”.  

As always, ideas for future meetings are welcome.

I am hopeful of inviting WCC for the September meeting to talk about NetZero and how WCC and local councils can work, as partners towards achieving this goal.

Please register if you would like the Zoom details sending or email info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk

I look forward to seeing you all again and hope as many of you as possible can attend the meeting

Kind regards

Elisabeth Uggerloese

Chairman

WALC Stratford Area Meeting

Throughout the sector, there are growing concerns about the impact bullying, harassment, and intimidation are having on local (parish and town) councils, councillors, clerks and council staff and the resulting effectiveness of local councils.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales, the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations have responded to this by setting up a Civility and Respect Working Group to oversee the Civility and Respect Project.

Sue Baxter, Vice President of the National Association of Local Councils, and Linder Larter, Chief Executive of Sevenoaks Town Council will give a short presentation on the project followed by Q&A and any discussion that is triggered.

Find out more about the project

Please register to get the meeting login details.

Agenda

1. Update on WALC Structure / Introduction of New Chief Executive Ja’Neen Day
2. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Community Risk Management Planning Process
   • An officer from WRFS will attend to to give the presentation and answer questions.

 The session will be chaired by Cllr Sarah Boad of Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, and will last no more than 90 minutes.

Please register to receive the meeting details

Wellers Hedley’s Solicitors LLP – Virtual Parish & Town Council Surgery

Our colleagues at Wellers Hedley’s have offered to host a virtual Parish & Town Council Surgery where WALC member councils can benefit from face-to-face legal advice, free of charge.

Initially, a number of pre-bookable appointments of up to 30 minutes will be available  between 10am - 1pm.  

Wellers Hedley’s are happy to advise on any Town and Parish Council related matters and, to enable them to use the time with each Council most effectively,  they will require a brief summary of the issue from your Council including any relevant paperwork, in advance of the scheduled appointment.  A short email confirming the advice given will be sent after the appointment.