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.

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.

Northants CALC Principal Officer Danny Moody has gained the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA).  Danny attended the CiLCA course organised by Northants CALC during 2007 and after preparing his portfolio submitted his work in September 2009.  Danny says “It was a nervous wait for the results; I’m glad that I passed at the first attempt”.

CiLCA is the professional qualification for local council clerks and covers every aspect of local council business, from basic administration, to project work and building community partnerships.  Since 2008 the qualification has also included a module on the new power of wellbeing.

Danny is the first officer at Northants CALC to achieve CiLCA but is hoped that all staff will hold the qualification by the middle of 2010.

For more on CiLCA please visit http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Training/CiLCA.aspx

On the 1st June 2009 NALC were able to announce the launch of a new training bursary scheme for Parish Clerks and admin assistants.

The scheme has been made possible by funding from the Department for Food and Rural Affairs and the Commission for Rural Communities.

The scheme is designed to help smaller councils with an annual turnover (budgeted income) of less than £25,000 per annum.  The scheme will fund 50% of the cost of training to a maximum of £100.

The bursary can be used for any events or training courses related to Council work or business, so the bursary could be used to attend a training course offered by Northants CALC on a topic such as the Code of Conduct, Finance or Making Successful Grant Applications,  click here to see the full training programme.

Alternatively the bursary could be used to fund a training course from another provider or to attend a conference or seminar perhaps hosted by NALC or the SLCC.

Full details of the scheme and an application form can be found at http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Training/Bursary/Bursary.aspx

We are delighted to announce a programme of training courses for parish and town councils covering February to April 2009.

There is the very popular “Off to a Flying Start” course aimed at new councillors and those councillors that have never accessed any formal training in the past.  It provides a basic grounding in the role and responsibilities of local councillors and is a must for anyone hoping to progress in the role.

There are two briefing sessions on the recently introduced new requirements under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  How should a council respond to FOI requests and what to do about persistent requests.  These sessions are being delivered by an officer from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

For clerks there is our introdcutory day for new and nearly new clerks who will know that the role is far bigger than anyone told them at interview!  This course helps put everything in context and provides a networking opportunity to meet other clerks who are in the same boat.  For more experienced clerks the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA), which starts in April, will be of interest.

Finally there is a briefing session on the all important new Power of Wellbeing.  This gives parish and town councils the power to do anything that promotes the social, economic or environmental well being of residents.  Its a fundamental shift and all councils need to be aware of the impact and potential of this new power.

To register your interest simply telephone 01327 831482 or e-mail amillar@northantscalc.gov.uk and you will be sent the course details and booking form by return.

Click here to download the Spring Training Programme.

Location: Litchborough, Northamptonshire
25 hours a week (flexible)
£25,146 – £28,270 pro rata
2 year fixed-term contract initially
Some evening work

Northants CALC provides member services to parish and town councils in Northamptonshire. As part of the Association’s commitment to improving the first tier of local government we have an immediate vacancy for someone to join our small busy team providing training and development services to member councils.

You should have:

• Previous experience of managing training and development programmes
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills
• Proven organisation, planning and time management skills
• Outstanding presentation skills and the ability to encourage and motivate people
• IT skills and the ability to write clear reports and keep accurate records

Your role will include identifying council training needs through surveys and consultation, designing, delivering and evaluating training programmes, making sure training is cost-effective and delivered within budget and producing training materials. You will take a lead role in promoting the Quality Parish Scheme in Northamptonshire.

We would be particularly interested in your application if you can show that you have an understanding of the local government sector.

The post will be based at Litchborough and will involve travel throughout Northamptonshire, including evening meetings. Reasonable requests for home and/or flexible working will be considered.

Ongoing training and support will be given and the successful applicant would be expected to have, or be prepared to obtain, CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration).

For an informal discussion of this exciting post, please contact: Danny Moody, Principal Officer, on 01327 831482.

Closing date: 5pm, 14 January 2009
Interview date: 22 January 2009

Application details: Please send your CV to:
Danny Moody, Principal Officer, Northants CALC
6, Litchborough Business Park, Northampton Road, Litchborough, Northamptonshire, NN12 8JB
e-mail: info@northantscalc.gov.uk web: www.northantscalc.gov.uk

We positively welcome applications from all parts of the community. The successful applicant will be selected solely on their ability to carry out the duties of the post.

The Northants CALC training programme for 2008 commenced on Saturday 29th March with a course on “The role of clerk & RFO”.

Seven participants spent the day learning about subjects as diverse as agenda building, minute writing and preparing annual returns.

The trainer, Terry Waterfield, stressed the importance of getting the agenda right in the first place.  With a detailed and precise agenda the meetings will be shorter and the decisions made will be clearer and more positive.

The course is aimed at recently appointed clerks and those wanting a refresher.  The course is also suitable for anyone thinking about becoming a clerk.

At least one participant will now go on to study for the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) and it is hoped that others will follow.

Many congratulations to Jane Austin from Moulton Parish Council on becoming Northamptonshire’s 21st CiLCA qualified clerk.

The Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) requires candidates to submit work on twenty five separate modules ranging from the powers and functions of local councils, to the planning framework and employment issues.

Five people went through the Northants CALC CiLCA course in 2007, which involves monthly sessions from April to November with a fair amount of reading hours in between.  Jane Austin was the first of the five to submit her work and gain the qualification.  I hope the others (which includes me!) aren’t too far behind.

If you would like to join this year’s CiLCA please contact me on dmoody@northantscalc.gov.uk.