TRAINING and EVENTS

New Clerks Short Course
10th March, 10.00 - 12.30pm
South Brent. £25 + VAT

Preparing for Audit
20th March, 10.00 - 12.30pm
Exeter. £25 + VAT

New Councillors Course
8th April, 6.30 - 9.00pm
Exeter. £25 + VAT

Chairmanship Course
29th April, 6.30 - 8.30pm
Exeter. £25 + VAT

Chairmanship Course
20th May, 6.30 - 8.30pm
South Brent. £25 + VAT

New Clerks Short Course
10th June, 10.00 - 12.30
Honiton. £25 + VAT

New Councillors Course
18th June, 6.30 - 9.00pm
South Brent. £25 + VAT

Chairmanship Course
26th June, 6.30 - 8.30pm
South Molton. £25 + VAT

New Clerks Short Course
11th Sept, 10.00 - 12.30
South Molton. £25 + VAT

New Councillors Course
16th Sept, 6.30 - 9.00
Exeter. £25 + VAT

Budgets and Precepts
21st October, 10.00 - 12.30 Exeter. £25 + VAT

More dates are listed on the website.  For more information or to book your place please visit www.devonalc.org.uk/training

SWCLCA Regional Conference

The South West Conference of Local Council Associations is organising a regional conference on 30th April at the Best Western Hotel Tiverton.

This conference will appeal to active councils across the region, small and large. It is a good opportunity to network with other active councils beyond your own county's borders to pick up how others tackle the issues concerning local councils at the moment.

Full details can be seen on our website www.devonalc.org.uk/training

NALC Conference
What next for Localism?

Wed 26th March, London

For more information or to book your place see the NALC website

NALC Conference
Making Localism Work

Thurs 5th June, London
Thurs 18th September, Bristol

For more information or to book your place see the NALC website

DALC Newsletter

March 2014

WW1 Memorial Grants allocated

The Devon Remembers WW1 memorial grant panel met on 25th February, and were very pleased to see 14 very interesting applications for help towards restoration projects.

One thing that stood out from the applications was that the memorials are a valued part of the community, and will form the focus of commemoration events taking place over the next four years. The PCC at Upton Pyne wanted their memorial to look its best when they will host the embroidered banner visits the village on its tour of Devon, where there will be ceremony attended by the Bishop of Exeter. The memorial at Bradninch will also form the focus of a community exhibition. This memorial commemorates the fallen from both the army and the navy and there was clearly some very interesting research being undertaken into the stories that lie behind the names.

It was excellent to see such a variety of memorials being restored – from stone crosses and obelisks, to a stone seat or church clock. The nature of the projects was also varied – from minor works such as replacing worn lettering to more major work such replacement of railings or adding steps to aid safe access to the memorial. All these works, minor or major, will keep memorials in good order well into the future and the Panel was pleased to support the whole range of projects.

The Panel look forward to seeing the next set of applications following the deadline for the second round of grants, which is on 31st May. They are also pleased to be able to consider smaller applications for this round, so communities are welcome to apply for amounts less than the previous minimum of £750. Applicants still need to find 25% of the cost of their projects. All forms and information can be found on the Community Council of Devon (wwwdevonrcc.org.uk) and Devon Association of Local Councils (www.devonalc.org.uk) websites, and any queries on completing the forms can be emailed to Lesley Smith lesley@devonrcc.org.uk.

More funding to support WW1 commemorations

The Heritage Lottery Fund has funds available to support communities wishing to mark the centenary of the First World War through its programme First World War: then and now. Go to the website www.hlf.org.uk – Pick a Programme – First World War: then and now for further details.

Public Libraries: what do you think?

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Communities and Local Government has jointly commissioned William Sieghart to produce an independent report considering the current structure and role of public libraries, including community libraries, in England as well as identifying any opportunities for future delivery.

William is supported by an Advisory Panel. Interested parties are invited to submit evidence to help inform their considerations, on the following areas.

What are the core principles of a public library service into the future?Is the current delivery of the public library service the most comprehensive and efficient?What is the role of community libraries in the delivery of a library offer?

To submit evidence to the Panel, email Library-secretariat@culture.gsi.gov.uk before 5pm on Friday 21 March 2014. Alternatively written submissions can be sent to:

Library Secretariat Department for Culture, Media and Sport 4th Floor 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ

Royal Garden Parties 2014

Very many thanks to all those who sent in their nominations to be put in the "hat" for a Garden Party Invitiation.

The following councils were drawn from the hat, and their nominees will be receiving invitations direct from Buckingham Palace – we wish them all the best and hope they have a lovely and memorable day:

Ipplepen Parish Council, Iddesleigh Parish Council, Barnstaple Town Council and Bishops Clyst Parish Council.