Transcript What does SCAPTC do for its member councils

Formed by Parish Councils - Run for Parish Councils - Delivering to Parish Councils
What does HAPTC and
NALC membership offer?
Carina Helmn
County Officer
What membership provides
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Legal, procedural and employment advice (qualified
and indemnified to do so) on all Parish Council matters
Support for member councils in all that they do
A broad range of quality training for Councillors, Clerks
and officers
A collective voice and representation both locally and
nationally
The latest information, news and guidance for the
sector
Examples of practical support
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Represent the interests of member councils if disputes
arise with Districts & Boroughs, or the County Council
Working with Herts County Council and Ringway to
improve the highways in parish council areas
Support councils at times of emergency and need e.g.
locating a locum clerk, staff recruitment or as an
independent adviser to try to resolve ongoing issues
Administer Borrowing Approval on behalf of
Government
Provide a range of toolkits and model contracts.
New website designed around member needs, allowing
resources to be accessed 24/7 via members section
Examples of practical support
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Free legal advice from specialist solicitors on
specific issues facing individual member councils
Free professional HR advice on staffing matters
Free specialist advice on code of conduct matters
Regular electronic bulletins which saves member
councils hours each month in finding and
interpreting vital information.
Legal Topic Notes (written legal briefings on 85+
local councils topics from specialist NALC solicitors)
Opportunities for networking with other councils
free of charge to members e.g. neighbourhood
planning
Examples of practical support
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Over 100 Local Advisory Information Sheets
providing salient points in a manageable summary
on Government consultations and legislation that
are relevant to parish councils e.g. Sustainable
Communities Act. This assists parish councils in
making individual responses on complex issues
often required within a short time frame
Bespoke training for Councils on areas of specific
interest to them e.g. roles and responsibilities,
business planning, council structures, team building
Specialist training and support on responding to
planning issues effectively
Our Members
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89 member councils out of 124 parish, community and
town councils and parish meetings in Hertfordshire
5 new members joined in 2013
We operate three subscription formula with each
council paying the lowest subscription rates. This
rather complex situation creates fairness across the
large range of member council sizes
Subscriptions range: £54.17 - £3,038.26
20 member large councils with electorate over 6,000
66 member councils with electorates > 1,000
Total HAPTC income 12-13 = £85,000 (surplus of
£8,000 to reinvest into member services)
Testimonials
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“Your recent ‘2013 at a glance email was an extremely useful
way to see the value of your excellent service in these
constantly changing and increasingly bewildering times”
“Extremely informative and very enjoyable. Good training
format as it enabled really good open discussions”
“ All I can say is we would be lost without HAPTC”
“Thank you for your comprehensive reply. The premier service
as usual”
“Your document library has been immensely valuable”
“Thank you for your help it was just what I was looking for. I
understand so much more now”
“Excellent expert speakers”
Testimonials
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“I thoroughly enjoyed this morning’s training and learnt a lot”
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“Thanks you exhaust me! Great stuff keep it up”
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“Thank you for all your support – it’s wonderful”
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“Last night was brilliant I learnt so much and I can see that our
council have been doing it wrong”
“As ever many thanks for all the background work you put into
running these events and ensuring that all goes smoothly. Very
much appreciated”
“I’ve spoken to Carina on the phone, she really is such a help
and encouragement”
“Good to talk with you, and keep up your excellent work!
Always nice to talk with the person who sends such informative
emails which help us greatly on the council”
Finally….
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We ARE our members
We are formed by Parish Councils, run for Parish
Councils and exist to deliver to Parish Councils
We are not-for-profit; any surplus is reinvested into
growing our services and support
We’d like you to join the HAPTC family……………..