Northants CALC

Northants CALC is pleased to present its 2010 Training Calendar, which contains details of all the courses to be run throughout the year.

Whether you are looking for Councillor Professional Development, new clerk’s training, or a one off course in managing allotments, we’ve got something for you.

Click here to download the 2010 Training Calendar in PDF format.

Welcome to the Northants CALC eUpdate for January – February 2010.

This issue is packed full of useful information for local councils on a very wide range of topics. From bee keeping to providing play opportunities, from local council awards to Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments. Whatever you need, we’ve got it covered

Download the January/February eUpdate here.

A consultation draft of “Parish Partnerships – the Northamptonshire Councils’ Charter” has been launched today by Northants CALC.  The charter describes the working relationship between Local Councils (parish and town councils) and Principal Councils in Northamptonshire.

The Charter has been developed with extensive input from all levels of the local government family in Northamptonshire.  Northants CALC Chief Executive, Mr Danny Moody says “I believe that the Charter will be a catalyst for the greater involvement of parish and town councils in decisions that affect their local area. I believe that the Charter will assist in creating a new type of conversation between the three tiers of local government in Northamptonshire, one based on mutual respect and a real desire to work together to improve the lives of Northamptonshire residents.”

The consultation is open to all three tiers of local government in Northamptonshire and runs until 31st March 2010.

Download the Northamptonshire Councils’ Charter (pdf)

Download a copy of the Response Form (Word)

Location:   Litchborough, Northamptonshire
Hours:      25 hours a week (flexible, occasional evening/weekend meetings)
Salary:      SCP Range 15 – 17 (£16,054 – £16,830) pro rata (i.e. £10,847 – £11,372)
Term:        Permanent

The Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils (Northants CALC) provides member services to parish and town councils in Northamptonshire. We have an immediate vacancy for someone to join our small, busy team providing finance and administration support.  This is a good opportunity to work as part of a dedicated and vocational team and to help make a real difference to local government in Northamptonshire.

You should:

• Be an energetic organiser who pays great attention to detail
• Have experience in office management/administration
• Have excellent spoken and written communication skills
• Be able to demonstrate organisation, planning and time management skills
• Possess excellent IT skills and have the ability to write clear reports and keep accurate records

Your role will include day to day management of the Association’s finances (using MS Accounting Professional) and provision of financial management data to the Chief Executive. You will manage the Association’s premises in Litchborough, provide administrative support to staff and act as the front line of customer support.

We would be particularly interested in your application if you can show that you have an understanding of the local government sector although this is not necessary and training and ongoing support will be provided.

The post will be based in Litchborough and will involve occasional evening/weekend meetings.

For an informal discussion of this post, please contact: Danny Moody, Chief Executive, on 01327 831482.

Closing date: 5pm, 05 February 2010
Interview date: 16 February 2010
Application details: For an application pack please contact:

Danny Moody
Chief Executive
Northants CALC
6, Litchborough Business Park
Northampton Road
Litchborough
Northamptonshire
NN12 8JB

e-mail: info@northantscalc.gov.uk
web: www.northantscalc.gov.uk

Since 1 December 2008, VAT had been temporarily reduced to 15 per cent but has now returned 17.5 per cent as of 1 January 2010.

As a result, the amount of VAT per mile in the petrol element of the NJC car allowances has been amended. The amended VAT figures – applicable to the current NJC mileage rates until 31 March 2010 can be downloaded here.

Welcome to the latest eUpdate from Northants CALC. This issue is packed full of useful information including details of at least two national projects that could bring funding in to your council. There are two technical articles, one on local council powers and one on committee structures and lots of news, training opportunities and information of interest to your council.

As always, we would be delighted to receive your feedback and comments or ideas for future articles.

Download the November/December eUpdate.

The Parish Councillor’s Guide, written by Paul Clayden and published by Shaw’s has been the foremost source of information on the law and practice of parish, town and community councils. This book has now been updated to a twentieth edition, compiled once again by renowned local government expert Paul Clayden, and incorporates a plethora of important changes implemented in the law since the previous edition was published.

In addition to its comprehensive coverage of all traditional aspects of local council administration, this edition includes explanations of such developments as the new provisions relating to reviews of parishes, with the power to create parishes in Greater London; the extension to some parish councils of the power to promote well-being; the removal of local councils from the ambit of the best value legislation; new codes of conduct for councillors in both England and Wales; new regulations on allowances for community councillors in Wales; new election rules; revised accounting guidance and practice; and the coming into force of much of the Commons Act 2006.

Topics are listed alphabetically, with extensive cross-referencing. The reader is assisted through the complications of the law while avoiding over-technical language and providing practical comments where possible.  The book costs £15.95.

For further details and to order a copy please click here to download a booking form.

The Northants CALC AGM, held on 14th October 2009, elected a new County Committee to serve until October 2010.  For the first time in many years the election was contested with twenty candidates standing for eighteen places.  Also for the first time in years there is at least one representative from each of the county’s seven districts and boroughs.

Download the full election results.

The 62nd Northants CALC AGM will be held this evening, 14th October 2009 at Moulton Village Hall, Moulton, near Northampton.

Click here for the agenda.

Click here for directions to the venue.

The event starts at 6:00 p.m. with free drinks and food for delegates.

The September/October edition of eUpdate from Northants CALC is a special edition focussing on the parish precept.  What is a precept?  How does a council decide how much to precept?  What happens when you want to spend more in one go than the precept will allow?  This edition is timed to coincide with local council’s budget setting.

Other contents include details of seminars and training opportunities, there’s an article about the latest salary settlement for parish clerks and some extremly important news about business use motor insurance; a must read for all those involved with local councils.

Click here to download your copy.