GALC

04/09/2026

Helping communities prepare for flooding

Flooding can have a significant impact on communities, and parish and town councils can play an important role in local preparedness and resilience.

Useful resources are available.

💧 Explore the NALC/ACRE project: https://acre.org.uk/helping-rural-communities-prepare-for-flooding/
🗺️ Check the Environment Agency flood maps: https://flood-map-for-planning.service.gov.uk/

03/09/2026

NALC welcomes the direction of the government's new National Planning Policy Framework while stressing that communities must have a meaningful voice in shaping development and that new homes must be supported by proper infrastructure.

Read the full response https://www.nalc.gov.uk/e/t/c/1B1E3B70-2B41-4E5C-9A831C7E651A67FD/?link=DBA7BCDF-9984-4180-9E9E09A1EDCDE9CF

02/09/2026

📢 Does your council have a Neighbourhood Plan?

NALC is inviting parish and town councils with a completed, designated or made Neighbourhood Plan to complete a short national survey.

Share your council’s experience by 11.45pm on 25 September 2026:

🔗 https://forms.office.com/e/4Pyn1PpHVv

01/09/2026

The National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services has agreed a 3.3% increase in pay rates and allowances applicable from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Stay up to date with news via our website and subscribe to our newsletter https://www.gloucestershirealc.gov.uk/

31/08/2026

26/08/2026

🏘️ What could effective neighbourhood governance look like in Gloucestershire?

As Gloucestershire develops its approach to neighbourhoods, community partnerships and governance within the new unitary arrangements, there is much we can learn from places already putting community-powered approaches into practice.

On 3 September, Common Good Gloucestershire and Collaborate CIC are hosting a free webinar exploring Test Valley Borough Council’s approach to neighbourhood governance.

The session will look at five practical steps for putting residents, communities and place at the heart of decision-making — particularly timely as Gloucestershire considers how its own neighbourhood arrangements could work in practice.

📅 3 September 2026
⏰ 12.00–2.00pm
💻 Online and free to attend

👉 Find out more and book: https://cloud.commongoodglos.uk/index.php/apps/forms/embed/3ncdSqYr2J58DzmnxdkbgiTZ

25/08/2026

🔔 Digital AGAR Portal – important update

Some councils have queried whether recent emails from SAAA about the new Digital AGAR Portal are genuine.

We can confirm that they are legitimate communications from SAAA.

Councils are currently being asked to confirm key contact details and email addresses ahead of registration for the new portal. Further information will follow later this year, including details of free portal training.

SAAA has also published confirmation on its website: https://www.saaa.co.uk

24/08/2026

The Flowers of Proximity Survey explores how people would ideally like to access the places, services and activities that matter most to them. It is a global survey with the developmental potential to support decision making from local to region scales. Responses are being sought from UK-based individuals living in semi-rural, suburban and urban-edge communities.
Complete the survey https://flowersofproximity.com/
And find out more https://www.commonaccessproject.com/

21/08/2026

The first Artificial Intelligence (AI) National Network meeting was held last week, we explored how parish and town councils are using AI, from making everyday tasks more efficient to finding new ways of analysing information and supporting council communication, and where it could take us next.
The network discussed the importance of using AI responsibly, with data protection, accuracy and human oversight remaining key. We provided updates on our upcoming AI tool, NALC's Online Resource Assistant (NORA), which we'll launch later this year.

Join the network: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/support/national-networks.html

National networks connect councillors nationwide to promote best practices.

20/08/2026

We welcome the government's announcement that the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth role now has an explicit reference to parish and town councils as one of the key responsibilities. This is another win for the sector and shows we are making our voice heard.

Read the announcement: https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/parliamentary-under-secretary-of-state--325