Documents
CiLCA 2022 Learning Agreement
This is the Learning Agreement which needs to be completed for the next round of CiLCA training and mentoring which starts in April 2022.
(See training section on website for details and booking form)
CiLCA – The Qualification for you
The Certificate in Local Council Administration is a distance learning course verified by the Monitoring and Verification Board which is directly applicable to "the day job".
On registering for CiLCA, the candidate has one year to complete the portfolio of evidence for submission.
WHY CiLCA?
We feel that the time and commitment you put into offering support and help to your council needs to be recognised and the CiLCA qualification does just this! Expect to put in on average about 50 hours of work and one of the rewards is another notch on the salary scale, providing your council has signed up to the National Agreement. CiLCA also offers an opportunity to ensure you have the basic knowledge to carry out a professional job. CiLCA is the recognised qualification in our sector as a sign of achievement and is required in most job applications. Consider your future aspirations.
CONSIDER
So think about your future, think about your current knowledge, think about your council. This is your next step to professionalism. CiLCA is also a requirement of your council to have a qualified Clerk in adopting the General Power of Competence and obtaining the Local Council Award Scheme. Ask GAPTC for more details.
Now is the time to explore this.
Tue, 01 Feb 2022
New Councillor Induction Pack
Joining a council can be daunting. GAPTC recommends clerks use this document as a checklist and provide all new councillors with the information contained in it. Please let us know if you think there is anything we can add. We also recommend councils assign a 'buddy', a long-standing, active member of the council, to support all new councillors.
Mon, 31 Jan 2022
Clerks' Handover Toolkit
When your clerk retires or resigns it is good practice to ensure a smooth handover period. This toolkit lists what every new clerk will need to know before the former clerk leaves. We suggest a handover period in which this can be achieved. It may be a good idea to name who is responsible for handing over each item listed and noting a completion date.
Fri, 28 Jan 2022
Powers of Local Councils LTN31
A Legal Topic Note on the general powers of local councils including S137 and the General Power of Competence.
Section 22 clarifies that eligibility to hold the General Power of Competence remains in place until the next annual meeting in an ordinary election year, even if the eligibility conditions are no longer met, ie qualified Clerk or two thirds of Councillors elected
Mon, 01 Nov 2021
Closed Churchyards and Disused Burial Grounds LTN65
Definition: process for closing: responsibility: maintenance.
This LTN covers the legislation concerning closed churchyards and disused burial grounds including the definition, the process for closing, responsibility for maintenance of a closed churchyard.
The LGA1894 Act prohibits local councils from spending on property relating to affairs of the church or held for an ecclesiastical charity.
Mon, 01 Nov 2021
Council Meetings LTN05
This deals with the law and procedure relating to meetings of local councils, their committees and sub committees.
Updated in 2021 to apply to England only
Mon, 01 Nov 2021
Website Accessibility Guidance from NALC
A guide published specifically for our sector to assist you in meeting the requirements of the regulations, updated in 2021 by NALC
Thu, 21 Oct 2021
Internal Audit Service - Model letter of appointment for GAPTC
Model letter to be used by parish/town council to ask GAPTC to appoint an Internal Auditor
Wed, 22 Sep 2021
Internal Audit Service - overview of service offered
Brief information on the Independent Audit Service and our responsibilities in ensuring our auditors are trained and indemnified.
Wed, 22 Sep 2021
Internal Audit Service - fee structure
A list of the fees charged for internal audits undertaken by GAPTC, which are dependent on the turnover of the council.
Wed, 22 Sep 2021
Internal Audit Service - Terms of Reference
Details of the objective, responsibilities and scope of the internal audit and an overview of what Internal Auditors will look at.
Wed, 22 Sep 2021
Annual Report 2020/2021
GAPTC's report on its activities and financial statement for the year 2020/2021.
Thu, 02 Sep 2021
AGM Minutes 2021 - draft
Draft minutes from the 2021 AGM held at Highnam Community Centre on 24th July 2021
Thu, 02 Sep 2021
Local Council Awards Scheme
Local Council Award Scheme
The new Local Council Award Scheme was launched in 2015 and updated in 2021 and will help all councils, whether small or large, attain recognition for the work they do and meet the standards set by the sector.
Registration - The process is explained on page 18. Accreditation will be carried out by a national NALC panel and the 2022 submission dates are:
6 May
9 September
Fees - Full information on fees can be found on page 21. There is a registration fee of £50 payable by all councils and a separate accreditation fee, depending on the type of award you are working towards and the size of your council.
Wed, 01 Sep 2021
Cyber Security - The Good Councillor's Guide
This guide helps councillor's understand the importance of cyber security and provides practical advice on minimising the risks.
Thu, 01 Apr 2021
Practitioners' Guide 2021
Updated guidance for completing the Annual Governance and Accounting Return.
Thu, 01 Apr 2021
Governance and Accountability 2021
Updated guidance for completing the Annual Governance and Accounting Return.
Thu, 01 Apr 2021
Freedom of Information LTN37
A comprehensive overview of a council's responsibilities including what the Act does (gives the public access to to all types of recorded information held by public authorities), making and responding to requests, local council publication scheme and exemptions.
Thu, 01 Apr 2021
Good Councillors' Guide to Cyber Security
A guide from NALC on keeping your documents and records safe.
Mon, 15 Mar 2021
CiLCA Portfolio
The SLCC handbook for the CiLCA qualification including information such as how it works, how long it takes and how it is assessed.
Mon, 01 Mar 2021
Section 137 allowance for 2021/22
The amount per elector that can be spent in 2021/22
Wed, 27 Jan 2021
Community Business - The Good Councillor's Guide
This guide will helps councillors find out more about supporting and encouraging local businesses
Mon, 25 Jan 2021
Annual Report 2019-2020
This report was presented to the GAPTC on Wednesday 9th December 2020
Thu, 10 Dec 2020
Village Greens (Easements) LTN57
Statutory and Common Law in relation to use by motor vehicles.
Mon, 30 Nov 2020
Common Land (Easements) LTN57
Statutory and Common Law relating to use by motor vehicles and the rights of way including the complexities of easements over common land and village greens.
Mon, 30 Nov 2020
Website Healthcheck model letter of appointment
Form to complete to arrange a Website Healthcheck for your council
Thu, 22 Oct 2020
Website Healthcheck
In recent years, the parish and town council website has taken on more importance than ever with a whole set of legislation and regulatory requirements to be met.
This new service we are offering will check your website for compliance, good practice and ease of use and provide a written report for council. The aim is to help you be the best council you can be – your critical friend.
SERVICE FEES
For a council with a turnover of £25,000 and under, the fee is £45. For larger councils with a turnover greater than £25,000, the fee is £65.
HOW TO BOOK A WEBSITE HEALTHCHECK
Complete a letter of appointment and you will be sent an invoice for the required amount.
Thu, 22 Oct 2020
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
What you need to do to prepare for the 23 September deadline.
Mon, 07 Sep 2020
Pensions for staff LTN 79
An updated, concise guide to the provision of pensions for staff.
Wed, 29 Jul 2020
RIsk assessment for holding an in-person council meeting
If the council wishes to consider returning to face-to-face meetings, then there are a range of issues that will need to be addressed before this can take place. This checklist will help the council ensure this decision is made in accordance with relevant regulations and requirements.
Thu, 23 Jul 2020