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Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils LCC Local Councils Conference Leicestershire Councils - The Local Picture Jake Atkinson LRALC Chief Officer Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Perceptions are not always accurate…..! Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Some Leicestershire facts & figures • • • • • • • • • 165 Parish and Town Councils in Leicestershire. 147 of them are members of LRALC. 17 are Quality Councils (all are members of LRALC!). 114 Cllrs and Clerks trained by LRALC to date (‘12-’13) 45 Qualified Clerks (CiLCA) since scheme began. 27 Clerks currently CiLCA qualified. 40 Clerks trained in use of GPoC since power commenced. 2 Clerks have passed the new GPoC CiLCA module. 1 Council has adopted GPoC (a week ago!). Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Membership of LRALC LRALC Membership Analysis - January 2012 100% 90% 80% 70% Associate Member Parish Meeting 60% Member Parish Meeting 50% Non-member Local Council 40% Member Local Council 30% 20% 10% W Ru tla nd es tL ei c s el to n M No rth Ha rb Hi or nc ou kle gh y & Bo sw or th oo d Ch ar nw Bl ab y 0% Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils LRALC 2012 and beyond Member survey results (April 2012 – 100 responses): • Training, newsletter, and telephone and email query service most highly valued aspects of membership. • Over 94% of respondents say LRALC membership represents good or excellent value for money. • Nearly 50% of respondents said their councils didn’t feel prepared for the powers and duties contained within the Localism Act 2011 (37% didn’t know). • Demand for training in areas not previously provided. • LRALC keen to grow its services and membership – Business Plan for 2013 onwards being developed. Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Localism and the Localism Act – “The time has come to disperse power more widely in Britain today.” Coalition Agreement • Localism has broad political consensus • Localism Act (Nov 2011) gives new rights and powers for communities and individuals, and new freedoms and flexibilities for local government. • LRALC and NALC are supporting local councils who wish to embrace Localism. Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Greg Clark, minister for decentralisation: "parish councils up and down the country would like to have greater influence and [the new legislation] will allow them to do this". • While there is no formal target he hopes a number of new councils will be formed and is looking forward to "a great revival" of parish politics. • LRALC is supportive of new local councils being formed in Leicestershire. Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Big Society • “We need to create Communities with oomph – neighbourhoods who are in charge of their own destiny, who feel if they club together and get involved they can shape the world around them.” Prime Minister David Cameron, 19 July 2010 Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Big Society and Local Councils • “Vicar of Dibley” image of Parish Councils • Issues of knowledge and capacity • Lack of consistency in quality and compliance • But, Parish and town councils are localism and Big Society incarnate. • Success stories of active, inclusive, and empowered Parish Councils Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Leicestershire CC & LRALC Some shared priorities: • Training of clerks and councillors. • Quality Council Scheme. • Communication between LCC and local councils (both ways). • Resolution of contact issues between local councils and LCC. • Representation of local council views at a strategic level. • Liaison between local councils and Districts/Boroughs. Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Firm foundations for improvement Relationship with the County Council as a whole 40 30 20 10 0 Excellent Good Average Poor Don't Know