The registration desk will be open from 8.30am. Sign in to receive your name badge and pick up your copy of our Annual Report.

We recommend arriving early to avoid queues, and to grab a cup of tea or coffee, visit our Exhibitor and Networking Areas, and chat with fellow attendees.

Member councils can send one voting representative, plus additional non-voting representatives to our Annual General Meeting. Please see AGM paperwork* for details on how to participate including advance voting and nominating proxies.

Not attending the AGM?  Then use this time to continue networking in the Exhibitors Area and Team Devon Zone.

Grab a cup of tea or coffee, visit our Exhibitors Area or Networking Zone, and chat with fellow attendees.

Cllr Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking, Chair of DALCs Board of Directors, will welcome everyone to the conference and outline the programme for the day. We’ll be joined by conference sponsors: Wicksteed and Cloudy IT.

Hear from Cllr James McInnes, Leader of Devon County Council, and Donna Manson, Chief Executive of Devon County Council. Futher details to come.

Choose from a range of four workshops:

A. A session with Devon County Council. Details of this session are coming soon.

B. Members Panel: Working with young people. Hear from three of our member councils about the amazing and varied work they’ve been doing to engage young people in their area! Moretonhampstead Parish Council will discuss their school visit to talk about the work of the council, Zishan Adamson-Drage from Uplyme Parish Council will talk about their work engaging young people to help regenerate public land, and Okehampton Town Council will introduce their work setting up their Youth Council with speakers including clerk Emma James and some Youth Councillors.

C. Delivering rural affordable housing with Devon Communities Together. Find out what help and resources are available for rural parishes to get affordable houses built in the right place for local people. We’ll look at assessing local housing need, finding sites, different delivery models and how to retain community control of the process. The session will include a presentation from Alison Ward of Middlemarch Community Led Housing on community land trusts.

D. Cyber-Security: learn the risks with Cloudy IT and James Hallam Insurance. Strengthen your council’s cyber defences, enhance your data protection, and implement best practices that are achievable even for small councils.  Key takeaways will include: cyber essentials framework, practical steps for small councils. Microsoft 365 security, FOI requests, cyber insurance overview, and an interactive Q&A.

If these workshops don’t take your fancy – head to the Exhibitors Area or Networking Zone for some quality one-to-one chats with our various partners.

It’s time for a scrumptious buffet lunch and more networking! Visit our Exhibition Area and our Networking Zone.

Bonus Content:  Head to the Denman Room at 1.15pm for a demonstration of AI tools with conference sponsors Cloudy IT.

In early summer 2024, the Brixham area became national news when cryptosporidium, a illness causing parasite, was found in their water supply. The contaminated water led to weeks of boil notices and the need for bottled water.

Access to clean water may not be a function of parish and town councils, but with the widespread concern, including a need to care for the most vulnerable residents, as well as supporting local business impacted by a rapid decline in visitors, the Town Council played a pivotal role in supporting and representing its community.

We’ll be hearing from Tracy Hallett, Clerk to Brixham Town Council, about their experiences managing in this public crisis, how they had to collaborate with other agencies, and their challenges in communicating and managing the expectations of their residents.

Hearing about Brixham Town Council experience will undoubtedly help inform emergency plans and collaborative efforts happening in other areas.

Melanie Wellman, Monitoring Officer at East Devon District Council, will be talking about the crucial role of ethical standards in public life, with a focus on efficient complaint management in local councils.

Delegates will gain clarity on the role of the monitoring officer in addressing complaints and understand the limitations of this role, with explanations of situations where the monitoring officer cannot intervene.

This session also aims to empower parish and town councils to proactively resolve minor issues/disputes, acting before a situation escalates and preventing incidents which may bring the council or individuals into disrepute.

Choose from a range of four workshops:

E. Crisis communications with Breakthrough Communications. A crisis can happen at any time. Whether flooding or a meeting going viral, there are many ways in which councils can find themselves in the eye of a media storm. This session will look at how you can prepare for a crisis with expert tips and effective steps you can take if the worst happens.

F. Managing stress and illness in the workplace with Tozers LLP. Simon Sanger-Anderson will deliver an overview of employment issues impacting local councils, reminding councils of their responsibilities as an employer, their duty of care towards employees, and offering practical advice about managing sickness absences and work related stress (and avoiding costly employment tribunals!).

G. Understanding your personal impact DALC’s Training Officer, Elise Callaghan, will explore the concept of personal impact and its significance for councillors and officers.  Participants will delve into what it means to have a positive personal impact, the impact of incivility, and a focus on key skills such as effective communication, emotional intelligence and authenticity.  The session will highlight why personal impact matters, emphasising its influence on relationships, reputation, decision making, and conflict resolution.

H. National Living Map with Parish Online. Learn more about the new project launched by Parish Online which maps local council statistics to help visualise organisational, environmental, and technological factors about local councils. This can help build a picture of how councils compare, and supports councils in their work such as addressing the climate emergency or neighbourhood planning.

Join Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking, Chair of DALC’s Board of Directors, for a summary of the day’s events and final thoughts as we close the conference.  A winner for the prize draw will be selected.

The registration desk will be open from 8.30am. Sign in to receive your name badge and book your preferred workshop choices.  Workshops are booked on a first come first serve basis and some sessions have limited spaces.

Grab a cup of tea/coffee, visit our exhibition areas and chat with fellow attendees.

Member councils can send one voting representative and one non-voting representative to our Annual General Meeting.  Please see AGM paperwork* for details on how to participate including advance voting and nominating proxies.

*AGM papers will be available from 30 August 2023.

Not attending the AGM?  Then use this time to continue networking in the Exhibitors Area and Team Devon Zone.

Grab a cup of tea/coffee, visit our exhibition areas and chat with fellow attendees.

Cllr Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking, Chairman, will welcome everyone to the conference and outline the programme for the day.

We’ll be joined by conference sponsors: Blachere Illuminations and Gallagher.

The National Association of Local Councils is the only national body representing the 10,000 parish and town councils in England.  NALC works in partnership with County Associations to support, promote and improve local councils.  Jonathan Owen, CEO, will provide an update on national projects and services, highlight recent policy work and discuss how you can engage with their networks and events.

In three years, Seaton Town Council has transformed itself from dysfunctional to thriving.  Julia Mutlow, Town Clerk, shares their transformational story discussing their challenges, the journey, and the impact it has had for both the council and the community.

Being on the edge of Exeter and Cranbrook, the community of Broadclyst has experienced significant change in recent years.  Angie Hurren, Clerk to Broadclyst Parish Council, will discuss how collaboration is a cornerstone of successful local governance.  Drawing on a range of examples from Broadclyst, Angie will highlight how the council was able to work with others to respond to the community’s needs, find new opportunities and work towards their goals.

Head to the Best Mate room for a buffet lunch.

Visit our exhibition areas in the Best Mate Room and AP Bar, and network with other delegates.

We’ll receive an update from Devon Council Council on the challenges facing Devon’s communities, and how that is influencing their priorities.

A Devolution Deal for Devon could support increased local decision-making, improved public services and infrastructure, sustainable development and economic growth. A submission was made to central government by Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council last year – but where are we now?  Phill Adams, Programme Lead, will update us on the status of the deal and what is emerging from government.

Chris Snow is a County Deputy Lieutenant and Chair of the Lieutenancy Honours and Appointments Committee. He will speak on the work of the Lieutenancy in Devon and how the Lieutenancy can support parish councillors in their work, in particular around Royal visits, and recognising local charity organisations and individuals who make a substantial contribution to their communities

Choose from a range of four workshops:

• Tools and approaches for communicating and engaging with communities
  This session, led by Daniel Purchese, Breakthrough Communications, explores the effective use of tools and techniques for fostering communication and engagement within communities.  Explore how to enhance transparency, gather feedback, build trust and empower councils to create stronger connections and community-driven decisions.
• A legal perspective on working with others in your community
  Simon Sanger-Anderson, Solicitor at Tozers LLP, provides a legal perspective on the challenges that may arise when working with others.  This informal session will explore:  social media comments – what can you do?, GDPR, when written agreements might be needed, code of conduct and more!
• Turning listening into action
  Explore how to transform your listening activities into a robust and actionable plan.  We will explore methodologies to analyse community feedback, identify key priorities and translate them into some concrete initiatives that align with your council, ensuring a responsive and inclusive approach to decision-making and community engagement. This session is led by Hannah Reynolds, Devon Communities Together.
• The value of Neighbourhood Planning in a changing policy environment
  Based on his experience of working on over 50 Neighbourhood Plans, Stuart Todd, Chartered Town Planner and Director of Stuart Todd Associates, will discuss the value of Neighbourhood Planning in the context of a changing national policy. We’ll also hear from councils who have produced plans and their experiences of their value as a community-driven exercise.

Alternatively, head to the exhibition area for further networking.

Join Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking, Chairman, for a summary of the day’s events and final thoughts.  A winner for the prize draw will be selected.

The registration desk will be open from 8.30am. Sign in to receive your name badge and book your preferred workshop choices.  *Workshops are booked on a first come first serve basis, and some sessions have limited spaces.

Grab a cup of tea/coffee, visit our exhibition areas, and chat with fellow attendees.

Member councils can send one voting representative, and one non-voting representative to our Annual General Meeting.  Please see AGM paperwork for details on how to participate including advance voting and nominating proxies.

Download the AGM Agenda Pack | Form of Proxy.  Please ensure your nominated representative has these papers.

Grab a cup of tea/coffee, visit our exhibition areas, and chat with fellow attendees.

Cllr Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking, Chairman, will welcome everyone to our first in-person conference since late 2019, and outline the programme for the day.

We’ll be joined by conference sponsors: Blachere Illuminations, CCLA and Gallagher.

Under the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, Devon was identified as one of the first localities to be able to negotiate a devolution deal.  Hear from Phil Adams, Programme Director for the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay County Deal, about the current status of negotiations and what Devon hopes to achieve from a county deal.  We’ll also hear  how funding allocated under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be used to support the further levelling up of Devon’s communities.

Devon is in the midst of a housing crisis.  There is a shortage of both rental properties and homes to purchase, locals are facing evictions, and many properties are being converted to short-term holiday lets.

Hear from Stephen Walford, Chief Executive of Mid Devon District Council and the Devon Housing Task Force, to find our how our principal councils are working collaboratively to tackle this important issue.

Head to the Best Mate room for a buffet lunch.

Visit our exhibition areas in the Best Mate Room and AP Bar, and network with other delegates.

On the 1st July 2022, a new Integrated Care System was formally established in Devon.  ‘One Devon’ brings together NHS organisations, local councils and organisations, to improve the health, wellbeing and care of our communities.  Dr Sarah Wollaston, Chair of One Devon, will explain what the new structure looks like, how it will improve services and ensure people get the care and support they need.

Choose from a range of 4 workshops:

• The impact of inflation for council budgets, with CCLA, Gallagher, Utility Aid and DALC
  With the cost of living going up, even councils are not exempt from bill increases.  In this workshop we’ll hear how inflation is impacting council investments, insurance premiums and utility bills, with some top tips for budgeting for 2022/23.
• Managing Employees, with DALC.
  Does your council have effective governance arrangements in place to support your staff?  What records should the council be keeping? DALC Trainer, Elise Callaghan will cover these questions and more in this workshop.
• Understanding speeding, speed limits and solutions, with Devon Highways
  Many communities often perceive speeding as an issue on their highways.  Chris Parkes, Senior Traffic Engineer, will explain how speed limits are set, how limits can be reviewed and altered, and what parish/town councils can do to address local speeding concerns.
• Planning and affordable housing, Teignbridge District Council
  Why is affordable housing so difficult to achieve?  Rosalyn Eastman will explain how local and national policy, S106 and other factors contribute to a planning authority’s decision-making processes.

Alternatively, head to the exhibition area for further networking.

Choose from a range of 4 workshops:

• The cost of living crisis and local responses
  Our communities are finding themselves in the grip of another national crisis.  This session will highlight the activities of other organisations, and be an open discussion about how local councils can play a part in supporting the most vulnerable in their communities.
• Encouraging people to stand for election, with Breakthrough Communications.
  In some areas it is increasingly hard to find people who are willing to put themselves forward for election.  This interactive workshop shows you practical and effective ways to encourage more people to come forward.
• How to turn your venue & facilities in revenue generating businesses, with Scribe.
  Maximise your revenue potential with this workshop which provides top tips to generate business including understanding the core building blocks of business strategy and ensuring the right people know about your hall.
• The Devon Climate Emergency, with Devon County Council.
  Learn about the work of the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership, the Devon Carbon Plan and Adaptation Strategy. This session will also demonstrate the Community Carbon Calculator and discuss the first steps communities can take to reduce emissions locally.

Alternatively, head to the exhibition area for further networking.

Join Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking, Chairman, for a summary of the days events and final thoughts.  A winner for the prize draw will  be selected.