AI Summit for Local Councils

Our partners Breakthrough Communications are running a series of in-person summits, including this AI summit for Local Councils, and you’re invited.

These unique, one-day events explore how parish and town councils can use generative AI tools to save time and effort when it comes to community engagement and council communications.

Time for our Clerks Summer Socials! An opportunity to join DALC and the Devon branch of the Society for Local Council Clerks to socialise, network and enjoy a free cream tea

The Clerks Summer Socials are free events which we host every summer in partnership with the Devon branch of the SLCC.

The summer socials are some of our favourite events of the year, and we are so excited to see everyone again this year! The Summer Socials are a perfect networking opportunity for clerks, offering the chance to relax with a cream tea while enjoying a chat with other clerks. Your DALC officers will be there too for a chat, as well as officers from the SLCC Devon branch, so it’s a great chance to catch up with us all.

Feedback in previous years has reflected the enormous value of these events for clerks as they can meet other clerks in their area, build a supportive network and develop friendships. We know a clerk’s time is precious with lots to do and not enough time to do it in, but we would strongly suggest taking this chance to join us for a social afternoon.

Last year, following popular demand, we added a fourth event in West Devon. That event was very successful, so we’re delighted to be able to offer four events again this year so clerks across the county can join us:

• • 18 July, Lifton Farm Shop, Lifton
  • 30 July, Padbrook Park Hotel, Cullompton
  • 20 August, Cedars Inn, Barnstaple
  • 28 August, Passage House Hotel, Kingsteignton

We’d love to see you all there so just book your place through the links above, or email us to let us know you’ll be coming and which event you’ll be attending. You’re very welcome to attend whichever event suits you best, and encourage others to come along as well. If you have any queries about the events, then please just let us know; we’re looking forward to seeing you all there!

The series of Devon County Council Budget and Priorities Meetings hosted by Cllr John Hart have all been held now and are available to view on the DALC You Tube channel.

All of the John Hart briefings for town and parish councils have now taken place and are available to view on our You Tube channel: Devon Association of Local Councils – YouTube

Cllr John Hart (Leader of Devon County Council) is once again hosting a series of online meetings for town and parish councillors during November and December. Read below for more details and how to register for your local event.

Cllr John Hart (Leader of Devon County Council) is once again hosting a series of online meetings for town and parish councillors during November and December.

There are opportunities for parishes and towns in East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge, and West Devon to hear about what the Council is doing and what’s to likely come in next year’s budget.

Most importantly, Cllr Hart is keen to hear about the main issues and concerns in your community. Every council is invited to send a representative to highlight issues and engage in discussion on local priorities.

Cara Stobart, County Officer, says: “The strength of our local communities lies in our ability to come together, engage, and have a voice in shaping our shared future.  As parish and town councils, your active participation in events like this is not just an opportunity; it’s a responsibility.

In these times of financial challenges and ever increase pressure on local authority budgets, where tough choices must and are being made, it is more crucial than ever that we, as parish and town councils, work collaboratively with our principal authorities to ensure that our communities’ needs are met, and that our shared resources are allocated wisely and effectively.

Let’s work collaboratively with Devon County Council to ensure our priorities are heard, and our communities can thrive in the year ahead.”

 

How can I attend?

All briefings will be held online and are free to attend.  Please register in advance using the links below*.

• North Devon | November 29  |  6pm – 7.30pm |  Register here
• South Hams | November 30  |  6pm – 7.30pm  |  Register here
• Teignbridge | December 4   | 6pm – 7.30pm  |  Register here
• Torridge | December 5   |  6pm – 7.30pm  |  Register here
• East Devon | December 11  |  6pm – 7.30pm  | Register here
• West Devon | December 12  |  6pm – 7.30pm  |  Register here
• Mid Devon | December 14   |  6pm – 7.30pm  |  Register here

*Joining instructions will be received directly from Zoom after registration so please keep those safe.

Submitting questions in advance

Councils are welcome to submit questions in advance if they wish.  It may enable a response to be provided at the meeting. Please submit questions at least 3 working days in advance (indicating the meeting you are attending) by contacting us here.

Post-event information

Recordings will be made of each meeting where possible and circulated once all meetings are completed.  However, a recording does not provide the opportunity for you to raise the matters of importance to your community.  We therefore urge attendance and participation.

There are tickets available for a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and we are welcoming nominations from our member councils as to who should have one of these limited tickets.

An opportunity for DALC members to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party! NALC is in receipt of 100 tickets to two Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace this year. Devon ALC has been allocated 4 tickets (2 pairs) for the Party on Tuesday 9th May 2023, and it is always a pleasure to be able to nominate individuals from our membership to attend.

We are therefore welcoming nominations from our members councils as to who should have one of these limited tickets. This year, the themes the palace wishes to promote are youth (young adults), community, diversity and sustainability.

There are strict rules on the nomination process (set by the Palace, not us!), so please read the following guidance:

• Invitations are in recognition of PAST SERVICE OF PARISH CHAIRMAN AND TOWN MAYORS only, and it is therefore appropriate that only outgoing members, rather than those newly selected, should be invited to attend.
• Under data protection legislation, an individual’s consent is required to process their personal data for the purpose of nominating them to attend a Garden Party. You need to obtain consent to process their data from all nominees prior to submitting the completed form.
• Nominated and accompanying guests must NOT have previously attended a Garden Party. It would be helpful if you could check this before submitting their names to us to avoid any disappointment and embarrassment. Once a name has been submitted it is not possible to make any changes to the list.
• All nominated guests should be accompanied unless he or she specifically requests otherwise.
• All nominated guests must be British, Commonwealth or European Union citizens with pre-settled or settled status, although their spouse, partner or companion may be of other nationalities. All guests, nominated or accompanying, must be resident in the United Kingdom.
• Please note there will be no parking facilities offered this year with the exception of disability badge (Blue Badge) holders who may apply for parking. Regrettably no exceptions will be allowed. Requests for disabled access should be entered on the nomination form as in previous years. An additional form will be included with the nominee’s invitation requesting details of their disability badge, upon receipt of which a parking label will be sent to the guest.

As always there is a very tight deadline for submitting nominations. Please can nominations be made via this form by 2pm, Monday 13 February.

 The two successful nominees, and their guests, shall be notified in the afternoon on Monday 13 February. Nominees will be chosen at random i.e. via pulling names from a hat.

If you have any further questions, please do contact us.

Time for our Clerks Summer Socials! An opportunity to join DALC and the Devon branch of the Society for Local Council Clerks to socialise, network and enjoy a free cream tea

The Clerks Summer Socials are free events which we haven’t been able to host for the last couple of years and we are very excited to see everyone again this summer. The Summer Socials are the perfect opportunity for clerks to have a cream tea and a chat! By coming along, you’ll be able to meet other clerks from councils of all sizes across Devon as well as meeting your DALC officers.

Feedback in the past has shown the value of these events for clerks to meet other clerks in their area, build support networks and develop friendships. We know your time is precious with lots to do and not enough time but please do take this chance to take some time out to join us.

There are three events taking place:

• 2 August, Cedars Inn, Barnstaple
• 10 August, Padbrook Park Hotel, Cullompton
•  23 August, Passage House Hotel, Newton Abbot

We’d love to see you all there so just book your place through the links above, or email us to let us know you’ll be coming and which event you’ll be attending.