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CORRESPONDENCE MAY 2016

Item 1 - Correspondence regarding Vehicle Activated Signs
DLPS Letter to Andrew Watson
andrew_watson_speed_visors.pdf
File Size: 130 kb
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Subsequent email sent by the Clerk:
From:
DFPC Clerk [mailto:clerk@dartmoorforestpc.net]
Sent: 18 May 2016 19:07
To: Andrew Watson <awatson@dartmoor.gov.uk>; Joanna Rumble <jrumble@dartmoor.gov.uk>
Cc: 'marion@hillbridgefarm.co.uk' <marion@hillbridgefarm.co.uk>; 'Cllr Philip Sanders' <philip.sanders@devon.co.uk>; 'Cllr Philip Sanders' <philip.sanders@dartmoor.gov.uk>
Subject: VEHICLE ACTIVATED SPEED SIGNS
Importance: High 
Jo, Andrew
Could I have an update on where you are with procuring new VAS for Dartmoor please.  DFPC and DLPS have both committed funding for this initiative in October and the ongoing silence is troubling my councillors to say the least.  There are rumours that the Planning Authority has blocked their installation and also rumours that the procurement is bogged down in DCC Highways bureaucracy with their preferred contractor (a procurement route that was meant to be to our advantage).  I do not know whether either rumour is true or not but it is causing disquiet.  We need to move this forward quickly now there are lambs, foals and claves back out on the moor in large numbers.
DFPC is meeting Thursday 26 May and I need to brief them on what is happening and where the problem in procurement and installation exists.  Would you please let me know exactly where things stand in sufficient detail that DFPC and others can use their influence to remove the blockage to progress on this important, albeit local issue.  
Best wishes
Nigel
Andrew Watson's reply regarding Vehicle Activate Speed Signs
20160520_dnpa_reply_to_dlps.pdf
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Emails sent by the Clerk and Gregg Manning in response to Andrew Watson's letter.
email_to_aw_dnpa_re_vas_16_05_20.msg
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gm_email_to_aw_dnpa_re_vas_16_05_20.msg
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DLPS response to Andrew Watson's letter
dlps_andrew_watson_speed_visors_2_16_05_21.pdf
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Item 2 - Selleck Nicholls proposals for remedial work to track behind Stonecliffe Place and Bellever Close.
Note: these are proposals only at tis stage and have not been approved.
selleck_nicholls_track_boundary_fence_proposals.pdf
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Item 3 - Correspondence on Clearway proposal between Plasterdown PC and Cllr Gregg Manning
Dear Cllr Manning,
The Clearway was discussed on last Wednesday evening at the Parish Council meeting. After much discussion it was felt by Plasterdown Grouped Parish Council that the policing of the Clearways would be very hard to enforce and that the area involved is very large. I am sorry to inform you that Plasterdown Parish Council would not support this proposal at this time.
Kind regards,
Holly Leahy
Parish Clerk

Hi Holly
I am very disappointed that the council feel unable to support Dartmoor Parish Council and Burrator Parish in this suggestion as it is seen as the only possible option to safeguard the village during periods of snow.  You say that it would be hard to police, well if all drivers had no respect for the law that would of course be correct but it is my experience that the majority of road users are in fact honest and would simply not park.  This is solely aimed at times when we are experiencing snow.  Still we must respect the decision of your council.
Due to the seriousness of this matter I would request the opportunity to come to a future council meeting and put my case face to face.  Without Plasterdown I do not think the scheme can be used at all putting us back to square one without any options.  
Thank you for your efforts and I look forwards to your reply.
Regards
Cllr Gregg Manning
Just a reminder that next Thursday is the launch of Jo Bradford’s a ‘A Love Letter to Dartmoor’ exhibition at National Park Visitor Centre Princetown.  Please find your invitation from Jo Bradford and Dartmoor National Park attached.
Please RSVP to vc@dartmoor.gov.uk.
Kind regards
Julie Colliety
Business Support Officer (Communications & Visitor Services)
20160526_ll2d_launch_invite_2016.pdf
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Difficult decision for West Devon - GARDEN WASTE COLLECTIONS
​
Councillors at West Devon Borough Council Hub Committee were facing a difficult decision this week, as they looked at the possibility of charging for the collection and disposal of garden waste.
This service is currently free in West Devon and Councillors felt that it should be discussed by full Council so that all of the Borough Councillors could discuss the issue and make the final decision. If the full Council of West Devon Borough Councillors do approve the move to introduce charging for garden waste services, no changes would be made until after the end of the Council’s current waste contract, which ends on 31 March 2017.
Despite the fact that 45% of other Councils across the Country already charge for garden waste services, at the meeting many of the West Devon Borough Councillors made clear that they would rather not have to introduce the charges.
However, as West Devon Borough Council’s, Lead Member for Commercial Services, Cllr Robert Sampson, explains, this is something that if rejected may have to be considered again in the future: “The Council has a working group which is made up of Officers and Councillors. They have done a great deal of work on this subject, looking at models for garden waste collections from many other authorities. I have to say that they have done an incredibly thorough job and looked at all of the issues concerned.
“Personally I would like to leave things as they are. It is a free service and works well, but we have to address the possibility of charging for this service in order to protect the entirety of our council services. 
“Collecting garden waste is not a service that we have to provide, but is something that we have been really pleased to provide throughout the Borough.  With continued cuts in Government Funding, we have to consider seriously if and how we should continue to provide the “nice to have” services in order to protect the vital front line services that we must provide.  If we decide not to do this now, we may have to consider it again in the future.
“Sack could be barcoded to minimise the risk of their “going walkabout” which has been a problem from time to time with the present sacks.”
A garden waste service which is charged for would enable residents to continue to dispose of the same volume of waste, which is twice what most authorities allow.  As mentioned, the service would be a sack collection not a wheelie bin collection and would also create a more cost-effective service for the Council. West Devon Borough Council would be able to design the service to accommodate those people who want it and not on standby for those who may not.

BROADBAND/AIRBAND UPDATE

2016_04_cde_community_briefing.pdf
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Also:-
​Broadband Voucher Scheme

Connecting Devon and Somerset has recently launched its Voucher Scheme to provide subsidies to install alternative broadband technology to premises across Devon and Somerset. Vouchers worth up to £500 are now available for residents and businesses across the entire programme area who experience broadband speeds below 2Mbps. The subsidy will cover the cost of connecting to an improved broadband service to boost broadband speeds to a minimum of 10Mbps.
Eligible residents and businesses that are in receipt of a voucher code can choose to redeem the voucher with one of the suppliers listed on the Connecting Devon and Somerset website. Seven broadband suppliers are currently registered on the scheme offering a variety of technology solutions including fibre to the home, wireless and satellite. We are in discussions with other suppliers, so it’s possible that even more providers will eventually join the scheme offering residents and businesses even more choice.
Those who benefit from the voucher scheme will still be entitled to a superfast broadband connection under phase 2 of the CDS programme if their connection is below 30Mbps. The procurement process for phase 2 is expected to conclude in the Autumn of 2016.
For more information please see the link below.
http://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/cds-broadband-voucher-scheme/  
We would appreciate it if you could spread the word about the programme, especially to the rural communities who suffer from slow broadband speeds.

Devon Voluntary Action Newsletter - LINK

chagford housing development
ashburton masterplan work suspended

DALC Newsletter
Training and Events - book early to avoid disappointment!More information on the courses and events listed below can be found on the DALC website under the 'training and event' tab where places can also be booked:
  • 18/05/2016 New Councillor short courseThe Amory Centre, South Molton
  • 26/05/2016 Chairmanship Short CourseDevon Communities Together, Exeter
  • 08/06/2016 Chairmanship Short CourseThe Amory Centre, South Molton
  • 22/06/2016 Chairmanship Short CourseThe Amory Centre, South Molton
  • 05/07/2016 Chairmanship Short CourseSouth Brent Old School Centre
  • 07/07/2016 Clerks EssentialsDevon Communities Together, Exeter
  • 14/07/2016 New Councillor short course Devon Communities Together, Exeter
  • 27/07/2016 Clerks Summer Social EventPadbrook Park, Cullompton
  • 09/08/2016 Clerks Summer Social EventThe Cedars Inn
  • 23/08/2016 Clerks Summer Social EventThe Passage House Hotel
**DALC would recommend that a 'Chairmanship Course' is listed on your May or June Council Meeting agenda in order that it can be resolved that a place/places be booked (through the DALC website) even if the delegates name is not yet to hand.
Watch out for more news on the website for DALC's 'Employment' and 'Planning' events which will both take place in September.

​Non-DALC training event:
Event:
Media Training for Councillors (including Social Media)
Date:
Saturday, 25 June 2016
Time:
10:00am-2:00pm
Venue:
St Martins C of E Primary School, Younghayes Road, Cranbrook, EX5 7DT
Content:
Contact Janine Gardner, Town Clerk, for further information on 07746 909933 or clerk@cranbrooktowncouncil.gov.uk
Cost:
£40 per delegate including refreshments - bring a packed lunch.

Non-DALC training event:
Event:        Cemetery Management
Contact:     Ottery St Mary Town Council: 
Mrs Christine McIntyre
Town Clerk
enquiries@otterystmary-tc.gov.uk

New Practitioners Guide for EnglandThe Joint Practitioners Advisory Group (JPaG) has published a revised Practitioners Guide for small authorities in England. A copy of the guide and a proforma for completing the Annual Return can be found on the DALC website under the 'Publication's tab or click the link below.  
The Practitioners’ Guide (‘the guide’) has been published by the Smaller Authorities Proper Practices Board to support the preparation by local (parish and town) councils of statutory annual accounting and governance statements.
This 2016 edition of the guide applies to annual returns commencing on or after 1 April 2016.  It can be applied voluntarily to annual returns covering the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.
The guide is intended as a working tool for local councils, providing not only the common ‘rules’ for completing an annual return for use by responsible finance officers, but also as a reference work for auditors, both internal and external, members, other officers and the public to aid understanding of the annual return and the reporting on the smaller authority’s governance and finances within it. View guide

Exclusive cut price offer for DALC members - New Edition of Arnold Bakers Local Council AdministrationThe new edition of Arnold Baker’s Local Council Administration is due to be published on 28th June this year. DALC members are entitled to a 25% discount on the full price so this means that members will pay £69 for the new 10th edition, plus p&p, rather than the full price of £92. You can order your copy directly from www.LexisNexis.co.uk quoting 'DALC' to enable the discount to be applied. 

Public Toilets may no longer be subject to Business Rates -The Budget 2016 announcement could signal an end to parish councils paying ‘toilet tax’ which could lead to parish councils finally being exempt from paying unfair business rates on their public toilets. This has has been described as “very welcome news” by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), which has been campaigning on behalf of its 10,000 grassroots councils.
The ‘toilet tax’ is levied on parish councils for running public conveniences they own or
manage and is costing local tax payers thousands of pounds, leading to many public
conveniences being closed all over the country despite their fundamental importance and value within communities.
The Chancellor's recent Budget announced in Clause 2.125 that 'the government will
allow local authorities in England to use their discretionary relief powers to support
publicly owned public lavatories from 1 April 2018', and NALC will be pressing for an early discussion with the Government and others on what this commitment means and how it will work in practice.
Public toilets have both a public health and economic development benefit, helping keep communities clean and desirable with closures posing challenges for communities where local jobs rely on visitors for the day-to-day success of their businesses, particularly in market towns and coastal communities. 

Section 137 limits for 2016/2017It has been announced that the new limit is £7.42 per elector for the financial year 2016/2017.

Devon Community Resilience Forum Newsletter
Health Watch Devon Newsletter
Citizens Advice Bureau newsletter

South West Water - Volunteer offer ends!
Due to a huge response from Town and Parish Clerks across Devon SWW have today contacted me to advise that the above offer has now closed. They have asked me to thank everyone who has sent in a request.
SWW are currently reviewing over 50 possible opportunities worthy of receiving the free help and will be in touch with everyone involved shortly. SWW will not, however, be able to respond to any further requests received. 
​Could your Town or Parish use the services of up to 50 volunteers? If so read on ....
 
South West Water are offering a Town or Parish a chance to benefit from the services of up to 50 volunteers so if you have a town or village project that keeps being put off or that needs immediate attention then why not apply for some free help?

The offer involves half a days labour of 50 people from South West Water for one project.

The event would need to take place in the last week of June or first week in July.

The workforce could involve one big team of 50 people to deal with a large project or lots of smaller groups of fewer people who could see to several smaller tasks.

The venue would need to be within reasonable distance of Exeter as this is where most of the volunteers are based.
 
If you have a project in mind then please contact Sophie O'Callaghan, Sustainability Co-ordinator, Peninsula House, Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 7HR by telephone on 01392 443757 or 07920 450300, by e-mail to socallag@southwestwater.co.uk or in writing at the address provided. Please do not contact DALC regarding this offer as this is not a DALC event.


Society for Local Council Clerks Newsletter
This latest News Bulletin starts with information about coming elections for branch representatives and reserve representatives on the National Executive Council (NEC). The NEC is considering some potentially very important issues concerning how your Society is managed and it is extremely important that every member has a route to the decision making process through their branch representative. Please take a moment to check whether elections are due in your branch and consider who would be representing your interests. If you are not familiar with the workings of the NEC a useful guide can be viewed in the members’ section of the website under 'Corporate Governance' here.

I am also delighted to announce our very first video tutorial – explaining How to complete the Annual Return in England (the Wales version will follow shortly). This is the latest in our series of videos concerning your Society’s events and activities. You can view the Annual Return video by logging into the website, clicking on 'Advice Library' and 'Finance', alternatively click here.

Finally may I thank everyone who has kindly confirmed that they are able to attend our EGM at Stratford-upon-Avon on 10th June – whether as a full or day delegate at the Leadership in Action Conference or just for the general meeting only. If you are planning to attend (and I hope as many members as possible do so) but have not advised the team, you can help our planning of the event by clicking here.
 
YOUR NEWS
National Executive Council (NEC) Elections 2016
Elections will be taking place this summer for 22 reserve branch representatives as well as by-elections to fill vacancies for 3 branch representatives and 10 reserve branch representatives. More...
Unison becomes second union to accept council pay offer
Unison, the biggest public sector trade union, has decided to accept a two-year pay offer from local government employers following a meeting of its council representatives.
Unison now follows GMB in accepting the offer, despite having originally rejected after a consultation with members in February. More...
Social Media Policy – New Advice Note
A new 'Social Media Policy Example' advice note has been published in the Society’s advice library, under ‘Council Constitution, Procedure and Governance’ and ‘Publicity & Social Media’. More...
Colin Copus to open second day of the Leadership in Action Conference
We are delighted to announce that Colin Copus, Professor of Local Politics at de Montfort University and a leading expert on local politics and multi-published author, will motivate delegates in the opening session of day two of the Leadership in Action Conference to find innovative and imaginative solutions to the multitude of challenges More...
National Minimum Wage Increases Announced
Increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) have been announced to take effect from 1st October 2016.  For 21 – 24 years old the rate will increase from £6.70 to £6.95 per hour, from £5.30 to £5.55 per hour for 18 – 20 and from £3.87 to £4.00 per hour for 16 and 17 years old. More...
Bryan Metcalf retires after 15 years' service
SLCC’s Induction Support Officer, Bryan Metcalf, retired on the 15th April after over 15 years’ service. On behalf of the Society we would like to thank Bryan for all his hard work and commitment to over 2,000 students who studied both ILCA and the original induction course Working with Your Council (WWYC). More...
EGM Agenda now available
An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society of Local Council Clerks will be held in The Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Stratford-upon-Avon, Bridgefoot, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6YR on Friday 10 June 2016 at 1.30 pm. More...
New film to promote SLCC training courses – watch it here first!
Are you looking to grow your confidence, keep up to date with changes in legislation or respond effectively to change? Then watch our new training film to find out how SLCC training courses can help you. More...
YOUR EVENTS & TRAINING
Effective Supervision & Performance Management
18th May, Norwich
This workshop is aimed at anyone who is new to managing staff and those who just want to freshen up their staff management skills.
VAT
24th May, Swindon
Don't be put off by the complexities of VAT, this one day interactive course will give you the tools and understanding to more confidently deal with VAT processing in your council.
Trading for Councils
31st May, Saunderton
This one day interactive training course will give you guidance on legal entities/structures for trading permitted by the Localism Act (companies, co-operative societies) including relationships with principal authority's trading arm.
Quotes, Contracts & Tendering
1st June, Saltash
This one day course will provide you with the knowledge to assist with the process of submitting services to competition.
Leadership in Action
9th & 10th June, Stratford-upon-Avon
Equip yourself with the valuable tools to deal with change and effectively lead, to drive your community forward in 2016.
Common Land & Village Greens
14th June, Bedford
Take advantage of this one day course specifically designed to help clerks and chairman of rural parish and town councils. Leave yourself better placed to deal effectively with the management of Common land.
Parish & Town Council Markets Seminar
29th June, Ludlow
An essential FREE briefing for those managing their local market or aspiring to do so.
Do you require training?
Do you require a particular training course which is not currently available or would you prefer one nearer to your base? Suggest a course on our website – and we will do our best to help!
The subject and location of all courses are entirely demand led.

Highways from John Doswell
I have been asked by a few parishes now about our drainage assets, I think you will find the link below very useful.
If you click on the link below  it will take you to our mapping system if you then click on the BOLD HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE WRITING which says Devon Highways open Data against Map Background:  this will take you on to our mapping system .
Now Click on Devon Highways Drainage .
Then Click continue
Then click Current lays
Then click Highway drainage assets
Now tick all the boxes of the assets  you want to look at .
Now go back and put you Parish in the location search box , this this then should bring up your parish , you can then zoom in and out , you can also click on any of the highlighted icons this will then bring up information about that asset .
 
This is very much a project in progress but there is lots of information on there .  
 
https://new.devon.gov.uk/factsandfigures/open-data/highways-open-data/
 
Ps please note that it has been a long hard winter , so I will be taking a month off from the first of April for the whole month and will return early May.  Can I please ask that any  issues you have could you please send it i via the MY Devon web site or the Call centre on 03451551004 rather direct emailing me as there wont be anybody looking at my email box. 

National Plant Monitoring Scheme Newsletter
A big thank you:
Spring has finally sprung and the first NPMS newsletter is here. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the NPMS in 2015 and to those of you that helped spread the word or have signed up ready to get started this year.
 
Results from 2015:
Follow the link to read see the results from 2015 based on the data you collected. You can also find out about plans for the year ahead.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/dff607ff-4243-4b5d-a845-04071fcedfc7
 
Getting a square:
  • If you are waiting for a square then please keep an eye on our live map to see if one has become available near you.
  • Why not also consider adopting a square in areas you may visit regularly to see family or perhaps on holiday. Remember if you have more than one square you can survey them on alternate years.
 
More please:
This year we are focussing on getting our more remote areas covered as well as increasing the number of plots in coastal and upland areas. We are also asking you to try and increase or identify the following habitats within your square for surveying.
  • Base-rich fens, mires and spring
  • Blanket bog
  • Coastal saltmarsh
  • Coastal sand dunes
  • Coastal vegetated shingle
  • Inland rocks and scree
  • Maritime cliffs and slopes
  • Montane calcareous grassland
  • Montane dry heathland
  • Montane rocks and scree
  • Native conifer woods
  • Nutrient poor lakes and ponds
  • Raised bog
 
The 2016 training programme is available online and there are spaces available on most of the workshops – be quick they are filling up fast.
 
If you have any queries about the NPMS in 2016 then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’ll be sending an update about our new NPMS Mentors to those taking part in the next few weeks and we have some extra online support materials coming soon.

Dear Sir or Madam,
Last year my colleague Katie Cameron emailed parish and community councils to ask for your help in promoting the National Plant Monitoring Scheme, please ignore this email if it is not relevant and we apologise if it has reached you in error.
A big thank you:
The second season of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme is well underway with volunteers up and down the country going out to visit their squares. A huge thank you to everyone who helped to promote the NPMS in 2015, this has resulted in the recruitment of over 1100 volunteers.
Results from 2015:
We thought you might be interested to see what your hard work has helped us achieve. Follow the link to see the results from 2015 and the projects plans for the year ahead.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/dff607ff-4243-4b5d-a845-04071fcedfc7
More help please:
There are still lots of squares available for surveying so we would be hugely grateful if you can use your communication channels to promote the scheme again using either the newsletter (above) or the NPMS flyer (http://www.npms.org.uk/sites/www.npms.org.uk/files/PDF/NPMS%20flyer.pdf). The live map on the NPMS website shows the squares that are available: http://www.npms.org.uk/square-near-me-public?dynamic-return_all_squares=true
We particularly need to promote the scheme in remote areas as well as areas containing coastal and upland habitats.
A reminder of who we are and what we need:
This scheme is a partnership between Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI); JNCC; Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) and Plantlife and is backed by the government. The scheme will recruit and support volunteers to survey 5 plots in a kilometre square close to where they live. The plots will be surveyed twice a year. The kilometre squares to monitor have been identified by stratified random sampling. The plants have been chosen as indicators of the health of individual habitats. There are 3 levels volunteers can participate at depending on confidence and knowledge and support will be provided both through training; web and telephone.
Once again thank you for your continued support, if you have any questions then please do get in touch.
Best wishes
Hayley
Hayley New
NPMS Volunteer Coordinator

Devon County Council Newsletter
dEVON cOUNTY cOUNCIL nEWSLETTER

West Devon Homes Newsletter
advert160518t094602.pdf
File Size: 172 kb
File Type: pdf
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​ 
Council Leisure Procurement Update
 
South Hams District Council & West Devon Borough Council have been working on a leisure review for the past 3 years as the current leisure centre contract comes to an end this winter. A competitive procurement exercise was agreed by both Full Councils last year as Members considered the need for future leisure provisions.
 
The Committees concluded that there was a need for future facilities to run in a way which delivers tangible community and health outcomes while also seeking a cost effective way of continuing the services which benefit residents across the two areas.
 
The leisure procurement evaluation process, award criteria and a joint procurement project were all agreed by Councillors and the procurement process commenced in mid-2015.
 
Organisations interested in running the Council owned leisure centres were asked to submit their initial detailed proposals to the authorities in late 2015. The tender includes the leisure facilities of Dartmouth Leisure Centre, The Pavilion in Totnes, the Quayside Centre in Kingsbridge, Ivybridge Leisure Centre, Meadowlands Leisure Centre in Tavistock and Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton.
 
After successful testing of the market, a strong short list of bidders has been drawn up. This has led to a productive dialogue with the bidders. The process being used to award a contract is a competitive dialogue – this enables bidders to work with Council officers to develop their proposals.
 
The timetable is on track and we are now in the final tender stage, with three experienced organisations being chosen to progress. The three organisations are Fusion Lifestyle, Parkwood Leisure and Sports and Leisure Management – Everyone Active.
 
Cllr Bastone, Portfolio Holder for Customer First, at South Hams District Council, said: “During the competitive dialogue we are not in a position to comment on any of the proposals which are put forward as these will continue to change as we move through the final stages of the project. We know how important leisure facilities are to our communities and they will be key to a  healthy long term partnership with the successful bidder”
 
Cllr Sampson, Lead Member for Commercial Services and Contracts, at West Devon Borough Council, confirmed that: “"A number of providers submitted bids which were rigorously assessed by the Councils' project team. Three have been chosen to progress to the final stages of the procurement process and we are now in the final tender stage."
 
The procurement project is due to run until summer 2016 and a new contract will be awarded before the current leisure contract with Tone Leisure ends on 30 November 2016.
 
To keep updated about the tender process, please visit:
 
West Devon Borough Council: http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/leisureservicesprocurement


SLCC Newsletter
Following the recent terrorist atrocities in Brussels, IIMC and UDITE have agreed to postpone the Brussels Symposium which was due to take place on 2nd and 3rd June. I am sure that all members will understand fully why this decision has been taken, however, our thoughts are with the Belgian people especially our Belgian colleagues in UDITE including its President, Ronny Frederickx, the City Clerk of Essen in Belgium, who is known to many SLCC members.
This News Bulletin includes details of the recent online ballot result. The Constitutional Review Working Party has considered the result and all comments received from members and their report is to be presented to the National Executive Council (NEC) on 13th April. A copy of the agenda and all reports to be considered will be posted on our website under “Corporate Governance/ NEC” on Wednesday this week.
Were you at this year’s Practitioners Conference? If not, you can check out what you missed by viewing the video of the event which can be found in the last news item of this Bulletin.
And finally, a reminder that the early bird discount for Leadership in Action conference on the 9th and 10th June in Stratford-upon-Avon, ends on the Friday 29th April. Click here to view your agenda which is designed to equip you with the valuable tools to deal with change and drive your community forward in 2016.
Kind regards
Richard Walden
Interim Chief Executive
Richard.walden@slcc.co.uk

New Practitioners Guide for England
The Joint Practitioners Advisory Group (JPaG) has today published a revised Practitioners Guide for small authorities in England. A copy of the guide, a proforma for completing the Annual Return together with an explanatory letter from the Chairman of JPaG can be viewed here More...
Protecting your Society's future – The Ballot Results
Thank you to all the members who responded to our recent online Ballot. We have received 1114 responses in total. A summary of the responses can be found here. More...
National Living Wage: Rate for 2016/2017
A reminder that the Government's National Living Wage (NLW) comes into force on 1 April 2016, replacing the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for all workers aged 25 and over. The NLW has initially been set at £7.20 per hour. The National Minimum Wage continues to apply to workers under the age of 25, for example in 2015/2016 workers aged 21 – 25 are still entitled to the NMW of £6.70. More...
SLCC’s Community Governance Higher Education Courses look to expand
The Society wishes to announce that it is looking for an alternative university to validate its Community Governance courses from February 2018.  We are hopeful that a new partner from 2018 will provide us with a greater range of opportunities than we have at present and will work with us to develop the course further.  We aim to strengthen Levels 4 and 5 and make it possible to study Level 6 through the Society leading to an honours degree. More...
Local Councils Markets Seminar
SLCC is pleased to support the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) in holding a seminar for local councils who currently operate markets or those who aspire to do so. More...
Record number of CiLCA 2013 portfolios for SLCC
We are pleased to announce that this month’s submissions of CiLCA 2013 portfolios will peak to a record number with 335 submissions expected in March/April. This high number is due to the last month for registrations on the 2013 course being March 2015, giving students one year in which to complete the programme. More...
Find out what you missed at this year’s Practitioners’ Conference
This year’s Practitioners’ Conference held in Stratford-upon-Avon was a resounding success, achieving a 100% satisfaction rating from delegates. To find out what you missed and hear what our delegates thought, click to watch the video below.
Your Invitation to Wales & West Utilities Annual Stakeholder Workshop
Wales & West Utilities are holding a series of workshops where they will be asking for key stakeholders to give their views on their business priorities. More...
Your Upcoming EventsAgendas and Minutes
14th April, Milton Keynes
This interactive one day training course is designed for anyone who would like to acquire or improve their skills, knowledge and understanding of working effectively in meetings.
Regional Roadshow - Peterborough
20th April, Peterborough
This annual training and development workshop will be thought provoking, interactive, engaging, giving you the opportunity to hear and discuss best practice, meet and speak with other professionals about current issues affecting the sector as well as network with like minded individuals.
VAT
27th April, Sevenoaks
Don't be put off by the complexities of VAT, this one day interactive course will give you the tools and understanding to more confidently deal with VAT processing in your council.
How to Effectively Communicate with your Community
11th May, Clevedon
This one day course is based around ‘the psychology of relating’. We explore our own preferred style of communicating and the styles of others to increase our understanding and flexibility.
Effective Supervision & Performance Management
18th May, Norwich
This workshop is aimed at anyone who is new to managing staff and those who just want to freshen up their staff management skills.
Trading for Councils
18th May, Chester
This one day interactive training course will give you guidance on legal entities/structures for trading permitted by the Localism Act (companies, co-operative societies) including relationships with principal authority's trading arm.
Do you require training?
Do you require a particular training course which is not currently available or would you prefer one nearer to your base? Suggest a course on our website – and we will do our best to help!
The subject and location of all courses are entirely demand led.

Local Council Expo
I am writing to make you aware of a major new event for the Local Council Sector. 
Working with partners, LGRC are staging the first ever Local Council EXPO, a one day trade exhibition showing the complete range of products and services that a Council might need, all in one place. They hope to have up to 100 exhibitors across 6 main themes:
·      Professional Services
·      Finance Services
·      Council Management and Administration
·      Environment and Street Scene
·      Outdoor Services
·      Events and Promotion
Participants will also be able to see demonstrations and specific displays on topics relevant to managing in the local Council Sector such as;-
·      The 21st Century Council office and meeting space, featuring all the best technology working together to simplify the council’s work
·      Managing devolved Services from principal councils
·      Latest grounds maintenance techniques
·      Creating an attractive street scene
·      Tools for community interaction
·      How to manage a successful council procurement.
They  believe this could become a major annual event in the Local Council calendar and are hoping to attract hundreds of Clerk and Councillor participants to what should be an interesting and informative day out.
Tickets, which are subject to an early bird discount before 1 May 2016, are available  at  www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lgrc-local-council-expo-2016-tickets-23430454119?aff=ebrowse
Further information about the event is attached.
Best wishes
Clare Dalley
local_council_expo_2016_participant_information_final.pdf
File Size: 342 kb
File Type: pdf
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©  Dartmoor Forest Parish Council 2014
Photograph credits N K Tigwell unless otherwise stated
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