Data Transparency Code to be recommended practice not mandatory for parishes - New consultations promised on a lighter touch code for smaller councils

The Government has published its response to last year's consultations on a draft Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency. This was to have been mandatory for any English parish with income or expenditure over £200,000 p.a. However, The government says it has also listened to concerns from SLCC and individual parishes about their capacity to comply with a statutory Code. It has, therefore, decided to exempt parish and town councils from compliance with the revised Code, though it will remain recommended practice for those with an annual income or expenditure over £200,000. The Government also says it will be consulting separately about new lighter-touch transparency Code for smaller authorities below the proposed £25,000 external audit threshold who are exempted from external audit under the new audit arrangements will be subject to a transparency code. This will enable local electors to access relevant information about the authorities' accounts and governance. 

Training opportunity

If you have already achieved CiLCA, then perhaps the time is right to build on your core knowledge.  You could gain greater confidence and a deeper understanding by studying the advanced module on local council law and procedures.

The module costs £900; it is worth 30 CPD points and takes 10 months starting on February 1st 2014.  There are two assignments to do, support from tutors and four optional study days (an additional £70 each).  This is a major investment with many benefits.

The SLCC's Community Governance programme offers many other options including modules on the planning system, local council finance and community engagement (£450 each) or the full Certificate of Higher Education.  If you would like to know more, please visit their website where you will also find an application form or call Elisabeth Skinner, SLCC Academic Leader on 01452 812747 or 07867457276.

Devon County Council local council database

Devon County Council holds contact information for all Devon parish and town councils so that the County Council can contact you when necessary. It is also displayed on the Devon Community Directory so that local people can contact you. You can see this at www.directory.devon.gov.uk

It is important you keep this information up to date.

The information displayed currently is basic contact data. You can change this any time you need to. We are encouraging you to go online and make the most of this record by adding to it and improving it with more details about your parish or town, including web links and photos if you wish.

To this end a Provider Update account has been set up for you. If you are not already using it please:

1. Go to www.directory.devon.gov.uk
2. Select Sign In which is below the Devon logo.
3. Enter your email address then click on forgot your password?
4. Copy this carefully into the box on the sign in page, making sure there are no spaces at the beginning or end. Then sign in.
5. Select Provider Updates.
6. You may have to accept responsibility for your council record, then select edit.
7. You will now be able to change information in the record and add to      it.Remember to tick to accept the validation statement and click save service every time.

If you now want to change the password you were sent to something more convenient, click on my account and then select Account Settings. Here you will see the option to change your password.

If you have any questions email communitydirectory-mailbox@devon.gov.uk or call01392 385522.

News from Healthwatch Devon

Healthwatch Devon have published the Winter issue of Healthwatch Voices. You can download the magazine here.

Their January e-newsletter can also be viewed here.

Date for your diary!

DALC are organising a conference on behalf of the South West Region. This will be held at the Best Western Hotel Tiverton on 30th April 2014. It will appeal to councils keen to keep up to date with new developments such as the new Quality Councils scheme, online banking, the Sustainable Communities Act as well as ongoing pioneer projects.

Further details and information on how to book will be available shortly. 

Insurance assessment drop in session

We have had an offer from Came and Company(insurers) to hold a drop in session here at our offices in Exeter this year.

They would be happy to answer queries on insurance needs, and generally talk over how they handle insurance matters for local councils.  If you would be interested in such a session please contact Lesley at lesley@devonrcc.org.uk

Devon Association of Local Councils, First Floor, 3 & 4 Cranmere Court, Lustleigh Close, Matford Business Park, Exeter, EX2 8PW
Tel: 01392 248919 ext *230   Email: lesley@devonrcc.org.uk   Web: www.devonalc.org.uk

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