Documents
Statement on Local Government Reform from David Williams, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council
Representation to Ministry, Housing, Communities and Local Government by NALC
NALC is in dialogue with the ministry regarding the role of parish, community and town councils that will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper, as mentioned below. With the announcement of a proposal for a unitary authority in Hertfordshire it is vital that we make our views known so that representations can be made during the drafting stage. Please let us have your thoughts and comments.
Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, Councillor David Williams, statement to Hertfordshire Forward on which HAPTC represents you as a member parish, town or community council:
On Tuesday 21 July 2020, I made a statement at the County Council meeting on potential local government reforms – a copy of which is attached for your information.
The Government has made clear that the forthcoming Devolution White Paper, which we expect to be published in the Autumn, will set out the Government's intention to strengthen local institutions, including establishing more unitary councils.
It is clear to me that structural reform could result in substantial benefits for Hertfordshire that would deliver the government's stated ambitions to reduce the cost and complexity of local governance, provide more modern and responsive services for the taxpayer and reinvigorate local communities.
Without considering the opportunities for greater local devolution and associated local government reforms, there are clear risks affecting our ability to respond at pace to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the developing recession and its impact on jobs and livelihoods as well as the need for sustainable growth, housing and opportunities for our residents.
We remain committed to exploring the best way to organise ourselves to continue to meet the needs of our residents and provide the most effective support for the county's economic recovery.
We all need to provide clear, collective leadership to Hertfordshire as a place and engage closely with a broad range of partners. We are just at the start of those considerations and look forward to working with you, with other partners and with all councils in Hertfordshire to determine our best way forward.
I have made available on our website the initial work that we have conducted to assess the potential benefits and other considerations relevant to an assessment of any potential reform. This work shows there are compelling financial and other benefits that may be achievable. It can be accessed at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/news-archive/structural-reform-could-result-in-substantial-benefits-for-hertfordshire
I will be in touch shortly as we continue to discuss these opportunities and seek to form a consensus as to the best way forward.
Yours sincerely
David
David Williams |
Thu, 23 Jul 2020
Funding and Grants Bulletin July 2020
Funding and grants available to communities and local councils
Thu, 23 Jul 2020
Checklist of considerations for holding meetings in person following the easing of Coronavirus restrictions
Face-to-face meetings
Both NALC and SLCC still strongly advise local councils to continue to meet remotely, without the need for face-to-face contact. If your council wishes to consider returning to face-to-face meetings this checklist is designed to help ensure this decision is made in accordance with relevant regulations and requirements.
Fri, 17 Jul 2020
Risk Assessment for COVID 19 play areas and outside gyms - amendable
BHIB Councils Insurance amendable generic risk assessment for COVID-19.
Tue, 14 Jul 2020
National Precept Statistics 2020-2021
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government analysis of council tax levels of local precepting authorities.
Tue, 07 Jul 2020
HAPTC Executive Meeting Agenda 2020 07 10
Agenda for the HAPTC Full Executive Board Meeting
Mon, 06 Jul 2020
Risk Assessment COVID 19 general workplace
Generic Risk Assessment for dealing with COVID-19 in the workplace.
Wed, 01 Jul 2020
Risk Assessment COVID 19 Council reopening checklist/risk assessment
Following a council office closure or change in operating model due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the immediate reaction of many councils is to reopen their offices as soon as possible. However, it is highly likely that the working environment for the next period will be anything but "business as usual" – not just for your council but also your clerks, councillors, volunteers and the community. It is likely that many of the COVID-19 controls put in place during the crisis will remain in place for some time, or only be partially lifted i.e. social distancing requirements etc
Wed, 01 Jul 2020
NALC Guidance on holding remote meetings (temporary regulations April 2020)
On 4 April 2020, the Government brought The Local Authorities (Coronavirus)
(Flexibility of Local Authority Meetings) (England) Regulations 2020 into force to
allow local authorities to conduct meetings remotely.
This guide has been produced by NALC to support local (Parish, Town and Community) Councils to be able to conduct their meetings in a new way.
Should be read in conjunction with:
Legal Briefing: Temporary Regulations April 2020
Wed, 01 Jul 2020
NALC Legal Update June 2020
The six month rule
Electrical vehicle charging points
"A fishy tale..."
Legal guidance
Wed, 01 Jul 2020
HR Bulletin Summer 2020
LEGAL CHANGES/UPDATES
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
- Reducing the risk of unfair dismissals when making redundancies
- Holiday whilst on furlough
- Easing of the lockdown and return to work
- Will the coronavirus outbreak may change the face of work?
- Proposed important employment law changes in 2020
Wed, 24 Jun 2020
Risk Assessment for COVID 19
NALC and BHIB Councils Insurance have produced a new guide on risk assessment for COVID-19.
The guide features guidance and information to help make risk assessments and directs to useful resources from the government and the Health and Safety Executive, with specific details on how to adapt your risk assessments for COVID-19. The guide also contains two templates designed especially for local (parish and town) councils that will help start risk assessments.
Wed, 10 Jun 2020
Website Accessibility requirements
The publication provides practical steps that local (parish, town and community) councils can follow to understand the new regulations, put in place an accessibility statement, and start plans to improve the accessibility of their website.
Wed, 10 Jun 2020
Funding and Grants Bulletin June 2020
Funding & grants available for local communities and councils
Wed, 10 Jun 2020
Job Retention Scheme extension
As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic the Government introduced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which allows all UK employers with employees on a PAYE scheme to designate those employees as 'furloughed workers'.
This briefing outlines some of the key background facts about designating employees as furloughed workers and implementing this type of leave and details, as far as currently known, of the extension and changes to the scheme which have now been announced.
Wed, 03 Jun 2020
Coronavirus and Holidays
The Government has clarified issues relating to furlough and holiday pay in new guidance published by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Wed, 20 May 2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Specimen Furlough Letters
This set of model letters are designed to help you work your way through putting employees on furlough under the terms of the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and certain associated circumstances that may arise during any period of furlough. They have been prepared in a manner that will enable you to cut and paste onto your letterhead and to customise them as necessary to suit your particular circumstances.
Wed, 20 May 2020
Funding & Grants Bulletin April 2020
Funding & grants available for local communities and councils
Mon, 27 Apr 2020
Example notes for Chairman - remote meetings
Example/template notes for the Chairman of a virtual meeting to read out at the start.
Thu, 23 Apr 2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Claims
HMRC has now confirmed that the 20th April 2020 is the intended launch date of an online service for reclaiming wages under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
Fri, 17 Apr 2020
NALC Legal Update April 2020
Coronavirus response– practical general guidance on what councils can do at a local level
New employment changes 2020
Signing the summons
The six month rule
Tue, 14 Apr 2020
Briefing: 2020 Regulations temporarily enabling Local Councils to hold meetings remotely
Summary of the regulations and what they mean for local councils. Should be read in conjunction with NALC Guidance on holding remote meetings:
Holding remote meetings temporary arrangement April 2020
Wed, 08 Apr 2020
NALC HR Bulletin April 2020
This month's theme is health and well-being; it covers:
Assess risks
Healthy working environments
Prevention
Thu, 02 Apr 2020