Incorporating the 2014-15 Accounts in Appendix 1)

Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils

Annual Report of the Executive Committee 2015

(incorporating the 2014-15 accounts in appendix 1)

LRALC, Jubilee Hall, Stadon Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, LE7 7AY Tel 0116 235 3800 Email [email protected] Website www.leicestershireandrutlandalc.gov.uk

LRALC Executive Committee members

Chairman Vice-Chairman Cllr Guy Jackson Cllr John Springthorpe

Cllr Betty Crick Cllr Anne Dames Cllr Pat Crane Cllr Ron Simpson

Cllr Hilary Tansley Cllr Tony Hirons Cllr Pat Thomas

Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils

Annual Report 2014-15

Executive Committee members Cllr John Machin resigned after many years as an Executive Committee member and Cllr Bill Piper also resigned due to other commitments. Finally, though strictly outside of the year covered by this report, we also note the departure of Cllr Mike Fryer who did not seek re-election as a Councillor in the May 2015 elections and who therefore also stood down from the LRALC Executive Committee at the same time. The remaining Executive Committee members would like to thank them for their commitment over the years.

The Association was saddened to learn of the death of Cllr Ralph Raven who had been an Executive Committee member for a short time.

The full list of Executive Committee members as at 31st March 2015 is detailed below:

Name District

Guy Jackson (Chairman) (Investment Trustee) Blaby John Springthorpe (Vice-Chairman) (Investment Blaby Trustee) Betty Crick Charnwood Vacant Charnwood Tony Hirons Harborough Vacant Harborough Mike Fryer Hinckley & Bosworth Pat Crane Hinckley & Bosworth Anne Dames Melton Vacant Melton Hilary Tansley North West Leicestershire Pat Thomas North West Leicestershire Ron Simpson (Investment Trustee) Rutland Vacant Rutland

2014-15 Finances The year-end accounts are attached to this report from which it can be seen that the Association’s financial position remains secure at this point in time, the Association having returned a small surplus for the third consecutive year.

The first year of the 2014-17 contract with Leicestershire County Council commenced in 2014-15 with a further £20,000 being received during the year from the County Council for specific agreed outcomes. LRALC met or exceeded all the outcomes included within the contract, with the exception of Quality Council accreditations due to the continued suspension of the national scheme as part of the ongoing full review by NALC. However, the new Local Council Award Scheme was launched in January 2015 with all

3 existing QS Councils having the option to transfer to Foundation Level without the need to re-accredit.

In addition, during the 2014-15 year LRALC secured a grant for £2000 from Locality to provide a high quality Neighbourhood Planning: Getting Started – the Nuts and Bolts event which was attended by representatives from 8 parishes.

The very successful and expanded range of training courses offered by the Association was a major factor in us delivering our third consecutive surplus. The majority of the courses proved very popular and, as a result, the training income received during 2014- 15 was slightly higher than expected. This is in line with many County Associations who are finding they are becoming increasingly reliant on training income to provide an additional source of income to support core activity, and who are experiencing an increase in demand for specialist courses as the sector experiences continuing change and expanding powers.

The graph below illustrates the Association’s financial journey since 2005-06, with 2010- 12 being a period where a number of grants and other sources of external funding either reduced or ceased, resulting in the loss of a staff post in March 2012. However, with the return to surplus in 2012-13 and a dramatic increase in the proportion of self-generated income, LRALC is now in the most sustainable shape it has been for many years.

Investment of Reserves In March 2014 the Executive Committee members nominated as investment trustees (see list on page 3) made the decision to invest £50,000 of LRALC’s reserves in a conservative Discretionary Fund Management portfolio after taking advice from two separate independent financial advisers during the preceding year. The investment is intended to be long term. The closing balance of £52,472.50 shows unrealised gains of £4030.58 during 2014-15. This figure includes investment charges which had been deducted.

Current membership

4 Membership of the Association has grown slightly through the year with the previous year’s membership being retained and two new members (Great Easton PC and Sheepy PC) joining the fold. Feedback from members remains extremely positive with the Association being seen to provide a much valued, professional service.

Requests for support and advice remain the “bread and butter” of the Association’s services; over the course of the year LRALC officers have responded to around 800 individual enquiries from member councils (an increase of approximately 33% on last year). Some of the queries were simple questions and others, as always, were more complicated and required more detailed and comprehensive assistance.

Finally, the LRALC Strategic Plan is being progressed well, with progress being monitored by the Executive Committee quarterly.

NALC Cllr John Springthorpe continued to represent our membership at National level and is the Association’s National Council member at NALC. He also sits on NALC’s Finance Committee.

Federation of East Midlands Associations of Local Councils (FEMALC) FEMALC is a constituted grouping of County Associations (CALCs) comprising Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire and was created in 1999. Together these Associations represent some 1,054 town and parish councils throughout the region with an electorate of some 1.3 million.

The LRALC representative on FEMALC is Cllr John Springthorpe who represents member councils at regional level.

5 Training Core training (delivered by LRALC officers) for councillors and clerks remained a key priority with the majority of planned training courses being very well attended. During the year 8 councillor sessions were run with approximately 106 members receiving training. These included Councillor’s and Chairman’s courses. Alongside this training for elected members LRALC officers also delivered 8 core training sessions primarily aimed at Clerks which comprised 39 delegates attending Clerks 1, 2 and 3 training. Core training courses will continue to be developed and delivered by the Chief Officer in line with demand and capacity.

Specialist training courses The training schedule was comprehensively extended to include a variety of courses facilitated by external specialists. These courses were added as a result of feedback in the Member Satisfaction Survey conducted during 2012 which identified areas where training required. These courses included:

 Planning Nuts and Bolts  Accounts and Financial Regulations event  S106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) training

All of these courses proved popular and, as such, some will be repeated in the future.

Rurality & Localism – Supporting Rural Parish Councils Following on from the success of this event in March 2014 funding was once again provided by the Leicestershire Rural Partnership (LRP) for a 2015 version which was held in Melton Mowbray on 24th March 2015. The event was, once again, free to delegates

The feedback from those who attended was positive, many commenting that the event was the best they had attended in their role as councillors and clerks.

Local Council Award Scheme (previously the Quality Council Scheme) The new Local Council Award Scheme was launched in January 2015 with all existing QS councils having the option to transfer to Foundation Level until January 2016 without having to re-accredit.

Qualified Clerks A further 4 clerks achieved the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) qualification bringing the total in Leicestershire and Rutland to 56 as at 31st March 2015. As many of you know, a qualified Clerk was a mandatory requirement to obtain the Quality Status, although it is not essential criteria of the LCAS Foundation Level.

Staffing matters The funding received from LCC enabled the Chief Officer’s post to remain a full time position, ensuring that, amongst other outcomes, parish and town councils and their views are represented and considered at various strategic and liaison meetings throughout the year which simply wouldn’t be possible if the post were part time.

The Association office is open from 8am until 1pm on Mondays and Thursdays and from 8am until 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

6 Retained specialist advice Towards the end of 2012-13 LRALC entered into agreement with two commercial partners, one a firm of solicitors the other a firm providing specialist HR advice, to provide an additional layer of support to our members. These have continued to be of great use during the year 2014-15

Guy Jackson Chairman

MEMBER COUNCILS Ab Kettleby Parish Council Anstey Parish Council Appleby Magna Parish Council Arnesby Parish Council Asfordby Parish Council Ashby de la Zouch Town Council Ashby Magna Parish Council Ashby Woulds Town Council Ashwell Parish Council Bagworth & Thornton Parish Council Barkby & Barkby Thorpe Parish Council Barkestone, Plungar & Redmile Parish Council Barlestone Parish Council Barrowden Parish Council Barrow-Upon-Soar Parish Council Barwell Parish Council Belton in Rutland Parish Council Belton Parish Council Belvoir Parish Council Billesdon Parish Council Birstall Parish Council Bitteswell Parish Council Blaby Parish Council Bottesford Parish Council Braunston in Rutland Parish Council Braunstone Town Council Breedon on the Hill Parish Council Broughton & Dalby Parish Council Broughton Astley Parish Council Buckminster Parish Council Burbage Parish Council Burton & Dalby Parish Council Burton on the Wolds, Cotes & Prestwold Parish Council Burton Overy Parish Council Cadeby Parish Council Caldecott Parish Council Carlton Parish Council Castle Donington Parish Council

7 Charley Parish Council Clawson Hose & Harby Parish Council Claybrooke Magna Parish Council Claybrooke Parva Parish Council Clipsham Parish Meeting Coleorton Parish Council Cosby Parish Council Cossington Parish Council Cotesbach Parish Council Cottesmore Parish Council Countesthorpe Parish Council Croft Parish Council Croxton Kerrial & Branston Parish Council Desford Parish Council Dunton Bassett Parish Council Earl Shilton Town Council East Goscote Parish Council Eaton Parish Council Edith Weston Parish Council Ellistown & Battleflat Parish Council Elmesthorpe Parish Council Empingham Parish Council Enderby Parish Council Exton Parish Council Fleckney Parish Council Foxton Parish Council Freeby Parish Council Frisby on the Wreake Parish Council Gilmorton Parish Council Glen Parva Parish Council Glenfield Parish Council Great Bowden Parish Council Great Casterton Parish Council Great Easton Parish Council Great Glen Parish Council Grimston, Saxelby & Shoby Parish Council Groby Parish Council Hallaton Parish Council Hathern Parish Council Heather Parish Council Higham on the Hill Parish Council Hoby with Rotherby Parish Council Hoton Parish Council Houghton on the Hill Parish Council Hugglescote & Donington le Heath Parish Council Huncote Parish Council Hungarton Parish Council Husbands Bosworth Parish Council Ibstock Parish Council Isley-Cum-Langley Parish Meeting Kegworth Parish Council

8 Ketton Parish Council Keyham Parish Meeting Kibworth Beauchamp Parish Council Kibworth Harcourt Parish Council Kilby Parish Council Kimcote & Walton Parish Council Kirby Bellars Parish Council Kirby Muxloe Parish Council Knossington & Cold Overton Parish Council Langham Parish Council Laughton Parish Meeting Leicester Forest East Parish Council Leire Parish Council Lockington & Hemington Parish Council Long Whatton & Diseworth Parish Council Lubenham Parish Council Lutterworth Town Council Manton Parish Council Market Bosworth Parish Council Market Overton Parish Council Markfield Parish Council Measham Parish Council Medbourne Parish Council Misterton with Walcote Parish Council Morcott Parish Council Mowsley Parish Meeting Nailstone Parish Council Narborough Parish Council Newbold Verdon Parish Council Newtown Linford Parish Council North Kilworth Parish Council North Luffenham Parish Council Oakham Town Council Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe & Acreford Parish Council Osbaston Parish Council Osgathorpe Parish Council Packington Parish Council Peatling Magna Parish Meeting Peckleton Parish Council Queniborough Parish Council Quorndon Parish Council Ratby Parish Council Ratcliffe on the Wreake Parish Council Ravenstone with Snibston Parish Council Rearsby Parish Council Ridlington Parish Council Rothley Parish Council Ryhall Parish Council Sapcote Parish Council Scalford Parish Council Scraptoft Parish Council

9 Seagrave Parish Council Seaton Parish Council Shackerstone Parish Council Sharnford Parish Council Shearsby Parish Council Sheepy Parish Council Shepshed Town Council Sileby Parish Council Slawston Parish Meeting Smeeton Westerby Parish Council Somerby Parish Council South Croxton Parish Council South Kilworth Parish Council South Luffenham Parish Council Stanton under Bardon Parish Council Stathern Parish Council Stoney Stanton Parish Council Stoughton Parish Council Stretton Parish Council Sutton Cheney Parish Council Swannington Parish Council Swepstone Parish Council Swinford Parish Council Swithland Parish Meeting Syston Town Council Theddingworth Parish Council Thrussington Parish Council Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council Thurlaston Parish Council Thurmaston Parish Council Thurnby & Bushby Parish Council Tilton on the Hill & Halstead Parish Council Tugby & Keythorpe Parish Council Tur Langton Parish Council Twycross Parish Council Twyford & Thorpe Satchville Parish Council Ullesthorpe Parish Council Uppingham Town Council Waltham on the Wolds & Thorpe Arnold PC Walton on the Wolds Parish Council Wanlip Parish Meeting Whetstone Parish Council Whissendine Parish Council Whitwick Parish Council Willoughby Waterleys Parish Council Wing Parish Council Wistow & Newton Parish Meeting Witherley Parish Council Woodhouse Parish Council Worthington Parish Council Wymeswold Parish Council

10 Wymondham & Edmondthorpe Parish Council

NON MEMBER COUNCILS

Bruntingthorpe Parish Council East Langton Parish Council (subsequently rejoined in 2015/16) Essendine Parish Council Gaddesby Parish Council Garthorpe Parish Council Greetham Parish Council Illston on the Hill Parish Council Little Casterton Parish Council Lyddington Parish Council Mountsorrel Parish Council Snarestone Parish Council Sproxton Parish Council (subsequently rejoined in 2015/16) Stoke Golding Parish Council

Appendix 1

13 Appendix 2

Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils

Development and Member Support Questionnaire 2014

LRALC, Jubilee Hall, Stadon Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, LE7 7AY Tel 0116 235 3800 Email [email protected] www.leicestershireandrutlandalc.gov.uk

This survey, or parts of it, was completed by 70 member Councils with contributions being received from Councils in all Districts/Boroughs.

Of the 70 respondents to Q5 and Q6 92.8% of Councils that contributed were Parish Councils and 88.5% had an electorate of less than 6000.

There were 70 responses to Q1 and in the majority of cases (85.7%) the survey was completed by the Clerk to the Council although formal responses from Council only formed 22.8% of results.

As with the 2012 questionnaire the vast majority of responses were received from the clerks to Parish Councils although in 2012 the parishes which responded were mainly small (with an electorate of less than 1001) and the 2014 questionnaire contained more responses from medium sized councils (electorate from 1001 to 6000).

Of the 70 respondents to Q8, 71.4% of the Councils have a training and development budget. This is a slightly higher proportion than in 2012.

61.7% of the 68 respondents to Q26 indicated that travelling up to 30 minutes to attend training is most favoured. Daytime training sessions are slightly preferable to evening courses. These results mirror those of the 2012 questionnaire.

Responses to Q28 of the survey shows there is an interest in more specialist training on a number of subjects. Most highly rated topics include Taking on Devolved or New Services, the New Law on Transparency Requirements, Community Engagement and Elections.

The majority of respondents to Q9 provide or manage street furniture (91.1%), play equipment (83.8%), recreation grounds (63.2%), and signage/lighting (58.8%). Other assets/services provided include a Community Woodland, Public Toilets and a Defibrillator.

19 Of the 68 respondents to Q17 54.4% considered LRALC to offer excellent value for money and 42.6% considered it to offer good value. Once again, these figures mirror the results of the 2012 questionnaire with a slight increase in those who considered LRALC membership to be excellent value for money.

Of the 69 respondents to Q12 the Email/Member Support System service was rated the most valued benefit of LRALC membership, closely followed by Training, then the Friday Round Robin update/information sharing requests. These results are very similar to those in 2012.

20 Of the 70 respondents to Q7 45.7% believe that the LRALC branch meetings should continue, with an equal amount not having decided. This question was not included in the 2012 questionnaire but the results show a desire for branch meetings to continue.

85.7% of the 70 respondents indicated that they have accessed the LRALC website during the last year.

21 85.9% of the 57 respondents indicated that they have used the Member Support System (MSS) via the website. (Full list of comments available if required).

The above results show that the website is well used although the low response rate should be noted when considering the percentage who indicated they had used the MSS.

If the current LCC county website service (which is available to both Leicestershire and Rutland parishes) were to cease should LRALC itself look to ensure the ongoing provision of such a universal countrywide website service? 76.8% think yes.

Of the 68 respondents to Q21 66.1% have no plans to pursue Quality status.

42.8% of the 70 respondents to Q23 do not know whether their Council is making the most of powers and opportunities contained with legislation.

23 59% of the 44 respondents to Q24 have considered providing services in the future.

What are the three biggest issues facing your Council at this time? Of the 68 respondents who answered this question potential devolution of services, financial restraints and libraries were all mentioned. (Full list of responses available if required). These responses mirror those given in the 2012 questionnaire although libraries were mentioned more frequently in the 2014 responses.

As a Parish Council what achievements are you most proud of in your community? Of the 48 respondents who answered this question community spirit and good relationship with the community were frequently mentioned. (Full list of responses available if required).

These responses mirror those given in the 2012 questionnaire.

24 The tables below show the quality of the respondent’s relationship with their District/Borough Council (69 respondents) and the County Council (68 respondents).

How would you describe the Council's relationship with the County Council as a whole? 35

0 Excellent Good Average Poor

The 2014 results showing the respondents relationship with the District/Borough Councils and the County Council appear to be very similar to the 2012 questionnaire although there appears to be a very slight increase in those respondents who consider their relationship with the County Council to be good.

What does LRALC do well?

 Training and sharing/provision of information and advice  Keeps member councils up to date through its distillation of latest news, changes in legislation etc - it's probably true to sat that, if LRALC doesn't tell me about something affecting how a parish council should operate, I could well not find out until it's too late.  Notify us when there has been changes in law so we are prepared and compliant. Issue of model standing orders, financial regs etc. The training offered has always been excellent. I know that if I have a problem I can ring Jake or Kirstie and they will try to help me, its a bit isolated being a clerk and they are a lifeline to us all.  The staff - excellent and responsive. Training - again, excellent. Round Robins keep us up to date (to avoid embarrassments like Beyton PC!)  Advice - legal and procedural, great sounding board, updates on changes in the law , excellent training  Member Support is excellent; it's not the mechanics around it but the knowledge & willingness of both Jake & Kirstie.  Respond to queries. Provide useful training and events.  Communicate  Keeps us all up to date with current issues and matters that we need to be aware of. Provides good training.  Gives immediate advice when needed  informs  Keep us up to date with legislation  Communicate  The last training day was excellent  Training and providing information on and explanation of national issues  Communication of information, friendly and accurate advice thank you  Advice is always given quickly and effectively Training Courses are well delivered.  Provide information.  Provide advice, support and training. Able to offer some bespoke services e.g. workshop support for the introduction of a business plan, review of PC processes  Advice/Training and finding out answers to queries if they cannot answer themselves  Advice!  Relevant training packages available. Good support for any matters relevant to Parish Council.  Training and advice/support  the Member Support System  Training and events, advice, providing information through monthly newsletters and friday round robins that I may not otherwise receive or become aware of. I clerk in another county and the association is nowhere near as good as LRALC!  Training and communications between all levels of Councils - Parish, Town, Borough and County. The alerts on forthcoming changes are very well received. Communicating changes to NALC LTN's and general legislation are invaluable.  Most things

26  Keeps the councils informed. Excellent training facilities Provides the support needed when needed. THANK YOU !!  Provides information and keeps parish councils up to date.  Training and support  Training. Provision of help and support. Regular news updates and advice  Provides up to date information and support across many different areas.  Very helpful and advice is given quickly and efficiently Summarises important information excellently and highlights things that need to be actioned. Big improvement on the old days when clerk received masses of paperwork and had to prioritise without the help summaries  Training sessions Advice  Advisory Service Knowledge Base Training /Development Clerks & Members  Responds to queries and gives good advice and support  The provision of workshops, advice and being there as a back stop.  Training and advise  Training  Keep us informed with changes to the law. Respond to queries. Training and workshops  Training, advice  Response Training Wide ranging support Approachable  I believe the commitment of those involved at LRALC are what makes it work.  Training and advice  Communication of changes to the law. Briefings on new and changed procedures (e.g. pensions, financial matters, audit)  Information and advice.  Communicate Gives good level of information and sound advice  Support  Advice  Passing on information, assisting with difficult queries, training and other events.  Advice and training.  Provides quick, friendly and informative advice  Advice Training  Advice and legal updates  Training/advice/information  Provide information and support  Central Contact Point Training and Workshop Events Informing Members of Current Developments  Advice on legal and statutory matters. Communication with councils in different districts.  All things legal and all things on point of law. The weekly round robin newsletter is excellent for alerting us clerks to things that we may have overlooked or not realised needed bringing to the attention of the Council members.  Training & advice.  Keeps members informed.  Training and advice; sharing of info; trying to improve relations with LCC  link to NALC

27 What could LRALC do better?

 Don't know  nothing  I would like to see more model documents and templates - and from NALC too  only keep doing the above  Give thought to drop-in mentoring sessions for Parish Clerks.  Push NALC harder. It is clear from SLCC list that some CALCs under perform. We're lucky because ours is good. But the combines sub is a big chunk of cash for small PCs. Maybe revisit the banding? Secondly, find some service that would read all the bumf and then send us a summary with a 'this is what your PC needs to do/think/act on' page.  Don't know  Can't think of anything!  make the newsletter more reader friendly - not so many on line links, more printed extracts  n/a  Training at the weekend for clerks and councillors who have full time jobs  Provide more consistent and reliable access to LRALC and NALC web sites.  LRALC or NALC to provide centralised 'best practice' processes that are kept up to date e.g. HR processes This would be really helpful rather than PC's having to do their own and then be expected to keep up to date with legal requirements as they change  Training  Parish Clerk is an isolated occupation. Every time I attend training or other event clerks seem to lap up the contact with others in a similar position. Is there not an opportunity to get some type of regular clerk’s seminar going so that they could share experiences?  quicker turn-around on answers - as many queries are dumped at the last minute on Clerks who then need a response as soon as possible to be able to advise the Council  The occasional training course where outside organisations are involved are sometimes a little hard to stay focussed  More staff, you must be worked off your feet!  If they were to provide a website, it would need to be cheaper than the cost indicated at the recent website training session. Everything is becoming more costly and it is tax payer’s money that is being spent. In these days of huge government debt (still), all local government bodies should be making efforts to keep costs down, not increasing them with all the new rules and regulations which are constantly being imposed on councils.  Give more help to the major problems i.e. Hr complaints or where professional legal advice might be needed  I have no criticisms.  Provide local training which would encourage us to take part  Invest in a decent coffee machine! Difficult to answer, with your limited resources you provide a 5* service.  Not sure  Doing fine  Expand the FAQs section on the website. It would be very helpful to have a quick reference section for regular but infrequent events i.e. a new councillor joining,

28 the basic requirements for an election, and the basics of the annual parish meeting. Particularly helpful for new clerks.  Possibly support localism thrust in a more proactive manner - but don't know how  I haven't really formulated this idea before I've written it down but maybe further Clerk training that is beyond the basics. Also, acting as a potential commercial hub for co-ordinating or negotiating contracts for devolved services. A co- operative of sorts.  Nothing.  N/A  I doubt anything could be crucially improved. It's a good overall service which I exhort to any non-member - watch out for Sheepy PC enquiry  Not sure.  Can't think of anything.  Sometimes blurred edges between what LRALC and Hayley Cawthorne do  Support for new Clerks especially around first year of accounting. You could co- ordinate a list, by District, of which Councils use, for example, Scribe. When our laptop crashed in March I had so much trouble getting the accounts sorted that I almost gave up.  It would be nice if some more of the training courses could be over our side of the county, but I am sure other councils say the same thing.  Happy with current service

What additional support would you be likely to use if it could be provided by the LRALC as part of your LRALC membership (if resources were not an issue)?

 Don't know  I think a cemetery/burial course would be of benefit to me.  Legal advice. Also I look at other PC's websites and see other clerk's glaring errors (e.g., precept decision-making being delegated to the clerk, or an annual meeting held in the wrong month, etc). There's so much we need to know we can't possibly know it all, so we are all going to make mistakes. This could result in financial or legal challenges. I'd like to see some monitoring of our websites to know if you spot one of my mine. I'd also like to see routine support for councillors when a clerk isn't around to help with recruitment (for example if a clerk leaves without giving notice). This happened at a previous authority I worked for and what councillors got up to on their own doesn't bear thinking about. They also badly needed help with recruitment but didn't realise it!  regular (quarterly perhaps) attendance at Parish Council meetings  A call out service.  More legal advice that is relevant to our situation i.e. a PC with a charity. The former is about OK but the latter can be a nightmare as you need specialist lawyers around.  Advice to Clerks as a separate issue.  Not sure  Can't think of anything!  can’t think of anything  not sure

29  More specific and tailored help on the ever growing complications of legal and financial (HMRC) requirements.  Presenting to Parish Councils on relevant subjects e.g. Localism, Quality Councils etc  A backup service for clerks on Annual Leave.  Wider range of training courses for Members maybe??  assistance with FOI requests  More telephone/personable support than electronic. 'Open' events for Clerks to attend to discuss on-going/current issues - i.e. 'drop in' surgeries with guidance from LRALC and also other Clerks.  Not sure  Regular appointments available with employment law professionals/ solicitors etc i.e. maybe have a professional at the office once per month to offer a variety if advise to personal council issues  Nothing comes to mind, but I will think about it. Although this is not an LRALC matter I sometimes find the NALC web site difficult to navigate.  Online Web based resources and training in e.g. Work Station Assessment, Manual Handling, Violence at Work, Freedom of Information Model documents, e.g. H&S Policy / Expenses Policy / Sickness and Absence Policy / Home working policy / Health and Safety checklist particularly for home working clerks.  Don't know Obviously with an election looming support for new members resource packs etc (which you are doing) If issues develop would raise and seek advice from LRALC whether it could be done. i.e. Job Evaluation.  Holiday cover for clerk  House calls, calling in to see a parish to offer advice & guidance.  You could offer all the support services e.g. Internal auditing, payroll service - develop a business side which may help with the running costs.  Can't think of anything at the current time.  Can't think of anything.  Not sure

LRALC Development & Member Support Questionnaire The response rate are not applicable to all questions. Where direct comparisons to questions can be made they are detailed below. Percentage rates have been rounded down to one decimal place.

Question 2012 (89 responses) 2014 (70 responses) What is your position? Chairman 9.2% Chairman 12.8% Clerk 83.9% Clerk 85.7% Other 6.8% Other 1.4% What best describes your Parish Council 86.5% Parish Council 92.8% Council? Town Council 8.9% Town Council 2.8% Parish Meeting 4.5% Parish Meeting 4.2% What size is your Council? Small 50.5% Small 42.8% Medium 32.6% Medium 45.7% Large 16.9% Large 11.4 District/Borough Council Blaby DC 11.7% Blaby DC 14.2% Charnwood BC 17.6% Charnwood BC 11.4% Harborough DC 20.0% Harborough DC 21.4%

30 Hinckley & Bosworth BC 15.2% Hinckley & Bosworth BC 18.5% Melton BC 11.7% Melton BC 10.0% North West Leics DC 12.9% North West Leics DC 12.8% Rutland CC 10.6% Rutland CC 11.4%

Does your Council have a Yes 51.1% Yes 71.4% training and development No 48.9% No 28.5% budget? When is the preferred time for Daytime 38.6% Daytime 42.6% training? Evenings 28.4% Evenings 27.9% Saturdays 5.7% Saturdays 1.4% No preference 27.3% No preference 27.9% How long are 15 minutes 8.0% 15 minutes 4.4% Councillors/Clerk willing to 30 minutes 56.8% 30 minutes 61.7% travel to LRALC training? 45 minutes 19.3% 45 minutes 20.5% 1 hour 15.9% 1 hour 13.2% Where is your Council with Already achieved 10.2% Already achieved 5.8% Quality Status Working towards 11.4% Working towards 14.7% Considering 12.5% Considering 8.8% No plans 56.8% No plans 66.1% Need more information 7.9% Need more information 2.9% Lapsed 1.1% Lapsed 1.4%

What level of value for money Excellent 43.8% Excellent 54.4% do you think that LRALC Good 44.9% Good 42.6% members offers? Average 5.7% Average 2.9% Poor 7.9% Poor 0%

In general how would you Excellent 14.9% Excellent 8.8% describe the Council’s Good 41.3% Good 45.5% relationship with the County Average 37.9% Average 39.7% Council as a whole? Poor 3.4% Poor 5.8% Don’t know 2.2% In general how would you Excellent 19.5% Excellent 15.9% describe the Council’s Good 52.4% Good 57.9% relationship with the District Average 24.3% Average 24.6% Council as a whole? Poor 3.6% Poor 1.4% Don’t know 0%

Appendix 3 – Annual Review of LRALC Strategic Plan

What? How? When? Maximising return on LRALC reserves. Investing in appropriate and Twice a year as Achieved. £50k FSCS protected 1 year bonds. appropriate (e.g. invested, though March and FSCS has ruled that September) based CALCs are not on reserves and covered by FSCS. interest rates. Retaining and aiming to increase local Contact with non-members (at Ongoing, with Achieved; net council membership (based on 2012/13 least annually), including emphasis on increase of 10 membership figures of 173). speaking at their meetings as September to member councils. required. December period (budget period). Ongoing service offers (e.g. Neighbourhood Plan support) to non-members through project funded work.

Introductory membership offers for non-members.

Ensuring membership fee income is fair and Annual review of membership December each Achieved; 3% sustainable, recognising organisational and rates based on an “in-principle” year. increase followed by staffing needs and grant funding increase of 3% per annum over freeze in 2015-16. environment. the next 3 years. Ensure LRALC is providing members with Repeat Member Satisfaction Every two years Achieved; as value for money. survey every two years and from April 2014. evidenced by the consider action where Member Satisfaction appropriate. Survey.

Delivery and monitoring against Annual reporting Strategic Plan and its targets. against Strategic Plan targets and quarterly exception reporting.

Generating additional trading income to Develop additional trading Ongoing. Achieved in part but support the Association’s core service. income through training, further growth consultancy, facilitation, and possible. other pay to use services, including new services such as:  Web based consultation service for PCs to use.  Facilitation of workshops and council strategic planning exercises.  Evidence collection and report writing for principal authorities, etc. Seek and apply for further grant Seek, explore, and apply for Ongoing. Achieved. LRP and funded/contract activity only where it is funding from principal authorities, Locality funding complimentary to LRALC priorities. partnerships, and other bodies secured. where it compliments LRALC priorities and is on a full cost recovery basis.

33 What? How? When? Support and train LRALC staff to aid Financially support staff Ongoing Achieved. retention and ongoing professional training/qualifications as development to support delivery of strategic appropriate where they are in line aims. with strategic aims of the Association

Chief Officer to attend Ongoing conferences and other events as appropriate to ensure they are best equipped to support and develop member councils.

If practicable increase pool of staffing Investigate the use of existing Report to Achieved in part (two resource available to LRALC to deliver the local council staff to be Executive by new CiLCA trainers Association’s services in a flexible and employed/contracted to deliver March 2014. recruited from sustainable manner, taking into account risks specific LRALC services (e.g. amongst clerks within and liabilities. holiday/sickness cover, CiLCA LRALC area) but pool training and mentoring, etc). could be expanded to provide a sustainable base Retain a full-time Chief Officer post going Continue to budget for full-time Confirm in budget Retained. forward (whilst funds/reserves reasonably hours for the Chief Officer’s each December. allow) in order to support the development of position for the duration of this the Association and the delivery of its plan (whilst funds allow). strategic aims. Ensure staff are equipped to do their jobs to Review of Association IT and December 2013 Achieved. New PC, the best of their abilities and to use the most communication hardware needs as part of budget laptop, and monitor effective working practices to best meet the and renewal/purchase of process bought. needs of members. equipment as appropriate.

34 Invest in office administrative support as Continue to budget for Confirm in budget Achieved, though the appropriate to needs of the Association and appropriate administrative each December. Association may need its business. support hours for the duration of to consider providing this plan (whilst funds allow). additional hours/staff resource in the future based upon current growth in workload. What How When Ensure core training is accessible to all Freeze core training costs until December 2013 Achieved. Costs member councils. 31.03.14 and then review as part of budget frozen until 31.03.14. annually. process Training delivered mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Continue to run core training at a Ongoing Bursary scheme range of different times, dates, introduced. and geographic locations

Seek to introduce a core training Ongoing to secure bursary scheme (funded by funds on an sponsorship) for small councils. annual basis.

Provide rapid access to information and Design and launch a brand new Launch website Achieved, though services by making the website the first port LRALC website and continue to March 2013, councillors and clerks of call for our members meaning that develop the services and ongoing from member councils information and services are available 24 X 7 information accessible through it. development. need further support if and ‘avoidable contact’ is reduced. we are to maximise the potential of the website (e.g. increasing the number of users logging in to access member only

35 resources). Website continues to be developed further. Provide high quality ‘core’ training, which is Continue to monitor training Ongoing Achieved. Feedback relevant, up to date, and well received. feedback forms to identify ways continues to be to improve quality and trainee strong. New courses satisfaction levels. added (e.g. Accounts and Finance, Developer Update training content as statute Chairman’s Contributions, etc.). changes, and undertake a full training – Autumn Chairman’s and review of core training content on 2013 Councillors training a rolling 3 year basis. fully reviewed and Councillor training amended as – Autumn 2014 appropriate.

Clerk’s training – Autumn 2015 Allow councils to meet the training needs of Publish an annual training Nov\Dec each Achieved in part due their councillors and clerks annually in a brochure detailing planned year. to additional courses planned manner training for the calendar year. being added mid-year. Seek to add value to the LRALC membership Consider additional member-only Ongoing. Achieved. Retained offer by developing a range of additional services (including those HR Adviser and Legal member benefits (both free and paid-for). delivered through a 3rd party) Advice secured. which add value to membership Increase in the and meet member demand. number of free briefings delivered (6 in 2014-15. Continue to provide support to those councils Continue to provide CiLCA, Ongoing. Achieved. New (including their councillors and clerks) who Quality Council, and General CiLCA trainers wish to embrace new powers, best practice, Power of Competence support engaged, new CiLCA and quality benchmarks. and guidance/training through the 2015 training developed. New

36 Association, using the most panel recruited for appropriate delivery methods. Local Council Award Scheme. General Power of Competence included in Clerks and Councillor core training courses. Continue to offer high quality support and Continue to develop the LRALC Ongoing. Achieved. Newsletter advice to member councils. Newsletter to be the “must read” developed further and resource for Parish Councillors feedback is positive. and Clerks across Leicestershire and Rutland.

Develop a secure online query Late 2013. system for member councils.

Bring forward proposals for Ongoing specialist services to members; e.g. HR, Legal, etc.

What How When Represent local councils on issues of Respond to local and national Ongoing Achieved. common interest. consultations as appropriate, ensuring member councils have an opportunity to feed their views into responses.

37 Make representations to NALC on issues of concern to LRALC members. Strong lobbying and influencing on behalf of Aim for LRALC Ongoing Achieved. All liaison local councils attendance/participation at all meetings attended by principal authority parish liaison Chief Officer when events within Leicestershire and possible. Number of Rutland. issues raised directly with principal Raising issues of common Ongoing authorities (e.g concern and scale with principal Council Tax Support authorities on a case by case Grant). basis.

Support and encourage new local council Encourage the creation of local Ongoing. Achieved; Shearsby creation. councils where they do not PC created and currently exist, providing general £25,000 grant advice and information to secured. community groups and principal authorities. Ensure that the Association’s democratic and Review LRALC Constitution and December 2014 Achieved. decision making structures are fit for recommend amendments as (3 years since last purpose. appropriate (and in line with review). constitutional requirements).

Adopt financial regulations for December 2013. LRALC to provide a robust financial structure.

38 What How When Maintain strong relationships and positive Active involvement in strategic Ongoing Achieved. engagement with key partners. partnership meetings (e.g. LRP, Stronger Communities, etc). Work in partnership with FEMALC CALCs as Continue to instigate joint activity Ongoing Achieved. appropriate. with FEMALC CALCs as appropriate on a case by case basis. Share and adopt best practice with and from Ongoing attendance at County Ongoing. Achieved other CALCs in order to maximise existing Officer’s Forum and engagement resources (avoid duplication of effort) and through other forums and email benefit member councils. lists to share LRALC practice and learn from others. Ensure strong LRALC National Council Ensure LRALC’s position on Ongoing. Achieved representation. National Council is used and that issues of concern for LRALC are represented effectively, including in the form of motions if appropriate. Deliver events and training in partnership Where existing knowledge base Ongoing. Achieved, e.g. joint with other bodies where appropriate and of or remit requires it, work in RCC/Landmark benefit to our members. partnership to deliver appropriate Planning training and support to members Neighbourhood on matters such as Planning course. Neighbourhood Planning, etc.