Hampshire Association of Local Councils

Who Are We and What Do We Do?

 

Background

The Association is a member-owned unincorporated association acting as an infrastructure support organisation and representative body for the 256 parish and town councils, and parish meetings of Hampshire.  The Association currently enjoys over 97% membership levels (251/256).

 

It sits in a national triangle hierarchy of local councils.

 

NALC:            National Association of Local Councils.  Hampshire National Council Member is Cllr Joyce Sortwell from West End PC.  She also represents larger councils on the national Local Larger Councils Committee.

 

SERCAF:       South East Region County Association Forum.  Hampshire SERCAF and SEERA (Regional Assembly) Member is Cllr Alan Lovell from Binsted PC.

 

County Association:  That’s Hampshire ALC!  We cover the whole of Hampshire.

 

District Association: Each of the seven Districts with parishes in has a local Association.  These are New Forest, Eastleigh, Winchester, Basingstoke and Deane Borough, Test Valley Borough, East Hampshire and Hart.  Details are available on the website.

 

Local Councils:          That’s you!

 

Location and Resources

The Association is based centrally in Winchester and has the equivalent of 3.5 full-time staff spread over five individuals.  It is also able to call on external partners who together run the Hampshire Local Council Development Team, chaired by the Director of Hampshire ALC, Steven Lugg.

 

The Association’s annual turnover is around £180k and is currently funded roughly in the following proportions; HCC Grant 50%, Member Subscriptions 25% and Self Generated Income 25%.  Subscriptions are amongst the lowest in the country, whilst service levels are amongst the highest.  Subscriptions are based on a formula around number of electors. 

 

Structure

The Association is run by an Executive Committee in accordance with its Constitution, which is available on our website.  Members are elected from District Associations.  The current President is the Earl of Selborne KBE, FRS, DL – a working Peer in the House of Lords and a Hampshire Farmer.  The current Chairman is Cllr John Korbey, who represents Brockenhurst PC in the New Forest, supported by Vice Chairman David Bidwell of Kings Somborne PC in Test Valley. 

Membership of the Hampshire Association also carries automatic membership of the relevant District Association and of the National Association (NALC), based in London, as described above.  For further information see http://www.nalc.gov.uk/

 

Services and Assistance

Representation, Lobbying and Campaigning:  The Association has strong links with all levels of the Statutory and Community Sectors in the County.  County Councillor David Kirk is a Vice President of the Association.  Through its representation on many bodies including the Hampshire Local Government Association, Hampshire ALC is able to influence policy that affects our local residents.

 

Services and Information:    The Association provides a range of services and information to its members.  Information is forwarded through weekly emails, quarterly Newsletters, our website at http://www.hampshirealc.org , regular mailings, and an Annual Report.

 

An important service is a Query Service available to Chairmen and Clerks of member councils.  The Parish Liaison Officers are able to help with anything that life may throw at a council.  This service includes a desktop legal service operated in conjunction with Hedley’s Solicitors.  Help with employment matters is also available within this Query Service.

 

As part of membership, a Health and Safety Advisor is available to councils, for their guidance.  Help with Clerk recruitment and locum/holiday cover is also available.  There are many documents and guidance booklets available, and advice on new legislation and Consultations is forwarded as appropriate.  Funding advice is also available, as well as a network of signposting for other contacts and services.

 

Development and learning is an important part of the package and training for Members and Officers is available at very discounted rates to members only.  Non members are welcome at non-discounted prices.

 

Support and Networking:  In addition to the above, the Association provides a structure for networking and support.  Clerks for example usually work alone, and Hampshire ALC provides a lifeline for these crucial members of any local council.

 

In summary, the Association can normally help with any issue, problem or task that the council is facing.

 

Why Join?

See above!

 

The Association currently has 251 members of a possible 256. The current high levels of customer satisfaction mean that record numbers of local councils belong at this time.  It is both a national, governmental and the Association’s view that no local council can operate effectively without membership to its County Association.  From the Association’s perspective, it can only be a strong lobbying body at County and District level if it has almost full membership of its councils.

 

The amount of external funding brought into the sector, and highlighted for parish council use also mean that subscription fees can be more than covered by claiming external project funding for those proactive councils who wish to.  This means that membership often costs less than the funds attracted through that membership.

 

Contact and Staff Details

 

Email:             hampshirealc@hants.gov.uk

 

Tel:                  01962 841699

 

Website:         http://www.hampshirealc.org/

 

Director:                                 Steven Lugg

 

Administrator:                        Jackie Panakis

 

Parish Liaison Officers:        Kate Rowlandson                  Tue - Fri

                                               

                                    Sheron Gillard                       Mon

 

Communications Officer:     Judy Hickman                        Tue, Wed, Fri AM

 

Treasurer:                              Peter Bulbeck                        Occasional

 

 

Code of Conduct

 

Guidance is available on the website.

 

Quality Parish Scheme

 

Hampshire currently has twenty one Quality Councils.  See the website for more details.

 

Important Resources to Help You For a Start

 

Community Action Hampshire provide assistance in the areas of community planning, community buildings and affordable housing.  Their web address is http://www.action.hants.org.uk/

 

‘The Good Councillor’s Guide’, 2nd Edn.  Available from Hampshire ALC free on collection or £2 posted.

 

‘The Parish Councillor’s Guide’ by Paul Clayden (19th Edn).

Available from Shaw & Sons on the web

 

This Briefing was issued by Steven Lugg on 7 November 2007, and is for the information of new councillors and other interested parties.