Practitioners’ Conference 2022 Agenda

The Power of Community
Shahin Sadafi, Entreprenuer, Inspirational Speaker, Grenfell Survivor and Founding chairman of Grenfell United

Shahin uses his vast and unique experience to shed light on the power of community and how working together as one voice you can achieve anything you set your mind too. An interesting and informative take on collaboration on many levels.

Born in Iran in 1984, Shahin earliest memories were of a country ravaged by war and with his Mum and Uncle, he was forced to flee from his home city for fear of his life. Upon returning to his home he discovered it had been hit by bomb and all of his possessions were destroyed.

Shahin moved with his family to West London in 1994 and in 1997 moved to Grenfell Tower. By 2017 Shahin has established himself as a successful businessman, consultant and trainer working with some of the UK’s leading PLCS and organisations.

He was working away from home on the 14th June 2017 when he received a call in the middle of the night to say that Grenfell Tower was on fire and he raced home as soon as possible to find his family and help others. The end was devastating. 71 people died and 70 people were injured and most of the building was destroyed. Shahin and everyone’s lives were changed forever. But, in this moment of extreme tragedy, a community came together and working with residents and the wider community Shahin established Grenfell United, an association with the ultimate mission to unite the bereaved families and survivors with a strong and dignified voice.

@GrenfellUnited

Digital Levelling Up – Working Smarter Using Microsoft 365
David Hall, Managing Director, CloudyIT, Conference Sponsor
and Linda Chandler Industry Executive, Local and Regional Government, Microsoft

The need for parish and town councils to digitally level up is more important than ever before. The role of the local council in connecting the community and providing key services to its residents is vital.  ‘Smart’ parishes and towns are now becoming a reality and clerks more than ever before need the digital tools to keep pace.  

Join Linda Chandler as she recounts the decade-long journey from smart cities to smart places, how the future of work can help the high street and how stakeholder collaboration at a hyperlocal level is key to place agility.  

David Hall will then be demonstrating how the modern council can achieve this smart status, utilizing the Microsoft cloud and suite of apps to drive productivity and efficiency.   

With Microsoft’s New Commerce Experience (NCE) going live in March 2022, which represents their first price increase in 10 years, this makes attending this session a must for clerks and councils looking to modernise.  

More information on CloudyIT can be found here Councils – Cloudy IT  

@Cloudy_IT_UK

Civility and Respect Project Update
Michelle Moss, Civility and Respect Project Manager

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), the County Associations of Local Councils and One Voice Wales (OVW), as the membership organisations representing the first tier of local government in England and Wales, and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) as the professional body representing town, parish and community council clerks and chief officers, are committed to working together to promote civility and respect in public life, good governance, positive debate and supporting the well-being of councillors, professional officers and staff. These organisations jointly formed the ‘Civility & Respect Project’ which aims to deliver improvement through tangible resources, actions and interventions. Michelle Moss, the Civility and Respect Project Manager gives an overview of the project, progress to date, and forthcoming plans.

GDPR (Subject Access Requests)
Sarah Jeffries, SLCC Advisor and SLCC Induction Support Officer

Join Sarah to discover:

• What is a subject access request?
• Which categories of data can a person access?
• The formalities of the request
• The Data Subject Access Request Form
• Tips when conducting a search
• What happens after I’ve located personal data?
• Exemptions

How to Market your Parish to Attract Visitors
Becky Walsh, Personal Power Specialist, Beckywalsh.com

In this workshop, you will learn how to market something you’re not selling! We will discuss how to make your parish or village an attractive destination choice for visitors. This will be a practical session so please bring a pen and paper.

Becky Walsh is a comedian bringing her humour to subjects of personal development, mental health and is a UK leading expert on intuition.

She is a communications expert and is a communications and marketing officer for Weston Town Council as well as working freelance setting up social media and communications infrastructure for Parish and Town Councils. She is also the community manager for See Monster part of Unboxed events for 2022.

Becky presented an agony aunt style phone-in radio show on LBC Radio. She is the author of four self-help books including ‘You DO Know – Learn to act on intuition instantly’.

Becky is a sought-after speaker and has appeared at the world-renowned seminar ‘I can do it’, as well being a senior curator, coach and script editor for TEDx Bristol. Becky has a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and is a qualified life coach.

Becky has a private practice as an intuitive catalyst online.

VAT: The Basics and Making VAT Digital
Jake Mee, CEO to South Swindon Parish Council

This session will cover:

• VAT and the Council Sector
• Business/Non-Business?
• Zero, Exempt and Taxable Supplies
• Registering for VAT
• Reclaiming VAT
• Partial Exemption
• Where to find the Law and Further Guidance
• Making Tax Digital for VAT

Getting the Best from your Councillors
Lesley Swinbank FSLCC, SLCC Professional Development Officer

An interactive session including tips and advice on how you can encourage positive and constructive contribution to ensure your council runs efficiently and effectively.

Lighting Up Time – Experiences of a Small Parish in Upgrading their Street Lighting
Mark Hunter FSLCC, Clerk to Chelveston Parish Council

This a case study of a small rural parish investing in a replacement lighting system, a common and growing issue with the ‘demise’ of sodium oxide lanterns, with the twin aims of reducing the running costs and moving to a ‘greener’ solution. Simply reducing the energy requirement is not automatically greener, as a young eco-activist in the parish was quick to point out.

Tackling Poverty through Partnership
Sam Scotchbrook, Partnerships Support Officer Advice in County Durham Partnership and Scott McInally, Assistant Assessment and Awards Manager Durham County Council

Join this session to discover the ‘No Wrong Door’ approach and how this approach has been both challenging and successful before and during covid-19 within the sector.

@DurhamCouncil

Self-Compassion Practice
Annie Knapman, Yoga, Mindfulness & Relaxation Teacher

Join yoga and mindfulness teacher Annie Knapman for this short session to explore self-compassion and the benefits it can bring to our wellbeing. We’ll have a go at a short self-compassion exercise followed by a self-compassion meditation.

Your microphone and video will automatically be switched to off when you arrive at your session. Before and after the class, you may turn your microphone on if you wish to say hello or ask any questions. When we start the session, all participants are muted to avoid feedback and so the only sound you can hear is the instructor.  You are encouraged to turn on your video for the session so the instructor can see you, however you are welcome to leave your video turned off if you prefer.

If you are working with an injury or health condition and would like to join the session, please make sure you get in touch with Annie before the class to make sure the session is safe for you to join ([email protected]).

After falling in love with yoga in a dusty community centre, Annie soon discovered that the benefits go far beyond the physical improvements in flexibility, balance and strength that yoga is widely known for. Yoga is about making time to connect with yourself. It’s an opportunity to build our resilience, learn to be kinder to ourselves and to nurture both our physical and mental wellbeing. Annie completed her teacher training in 2015 (Yoga Alliance Certified) and has since completed further training in Restorative Yoga (TriYoga, 2016) and a Diploma in Relaxation, Meditation and Mindfulness (Smart Foundations, 2017).

@annieknapman

Open Space Management
Roger Taylor, Consultant at Wellers Hedleys

Roger will explore the powers of local councils in respect of the acquisition, retention and management of open space, and the challenges of maintaining the same from a practical and financial viewpoint.

Risk Assessments – Getting the Fundamentals Right
Emily Hobbins, Senior Auditor, SWAP and Andy Moss, Health and Safety Consultant, Norfolk County Council

Risk Assessments – Would you like to better understand the processes involved in effective risk assessment, and where risk assessment sits within the wider cycle involved in managing your council’s risks effectively?

This session will provide you with knowledge of the fundamentals required to analyse and score risks relevant to your council, including practical examples.

The health and safety aspect of the session will provide you with an introduction to the importance of health and safety and set out basic considerations that will signpost you to more effective learning. It will focus on some of the preventative measures that, when taken, will help you to develop a confidence that the risk of harm is being effectively managed.

@southwestaudit

@NorfolkCC

How Melksham’s Apprenticeship Programme Works for the Town Council and the Community
Linda Roberts FSLCC, Clerk to Melksham Town Council and Jamie Saddler, Senior Adviser (Workforce) and Apprenticeships Adviser, Local Government Association (LGA)

Join Linda and Jamie to delve into the Melksham Town Council’s investment in apprentices and how it works for them. As well as understanding what it means to have apprentices and getting the best out of your apprenticeship programme.

@MelkshamTC

Qualifications Workshop
Elisabeth Skinner MBE FSLCC, Academic Leader, Johnathan Bourne FSLCC, Community Governance Module Tutor, Sue Hobbs FSLCC, Module & Personal Tutor: Community Governance and Pauline Whitehead FSLCC, Personal Tutor and Module Tutor

Join Johnathan, Elisabeth, Sue and Pauline for a chat about all of the qualifications that SLCC offers including the brand new FILCA course.

Understanding the Public Sector Procurement Process
Patricia Marks, Founder and CEO, Somerset Business Agency

In this session, Patricia will cover:

• Identifying barriers to success
• A pathway to contract readiness
• Gaining experience as part of the process
• Developing contracting skills
• Importance of evidence
• What does a good response look like
• Making use of feedback and continuous improvement

Patricia Marks is a highly client focused and commercially astute senior business professional specialising in business development and project management, significant experience of working with public, private and third sector organisations and a proven record of accomplishment in the successful delivery of programmes and development projects within the areas of employment, education, charity, healthcare, business, environment and agriculture.

Acknowledged as a confident and persuasive communicator, with the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships, both internally and externally, I have considerable experience of leading and motivating effective teams and providing training, coaching and mentoring to enable the attainment of both personal and company goals and objectives.

@SBAenterprise

Levelling Up Locally
Philip Clifford, Senior Advisor, Local Government Association (LGA)

With all eyes on the release of the Levelling Up White paper this session will consider the long term strategic challenges facing people and places and in England and offer a framework for collaboration between principal and local councils.

@LGALocalism

Member Induction: Supporting New (and Returning) Councillors
Mark Galbraith, SLCC Wales Policy Liaison Officer and Clerk to Llanelli Rural Council

With the ordinary local government elections looming on 5 May 2022, Mark Galbraith will explore how clerks can support their newly elected councils to make the best possible start with their communities through the process of formal induction.

New Clerk Introduction: Getting The Basics Right
Yvonne Colverson FSLCC, SLCC Senior Advisor and Induction Support Officer

An introduction to the basics covering:

• Roles and responsibilities
• Essential policies and documents
• How to access help and support
• Starting your training journey

Get Ready for the Changes in Wales
Kevin Griffiths, Head of Local Government Partnerships, Welsh Government

Updates on the General Power of Competence and self-evaluation toolkit.

@WelshGovernment

Acas: Behaviours at Work, your Rights and Responsibilities
David Campbell, South West Publicity Manager, ACAS and Michael Gardner, Senior Advisor, ACAS

Positive behaviour breeds positive workplaces and it is vital for productivity and performance that individuals feel respected and supported at work. This session will outline, from an Acas perspective, what inappropriate behaviour at work is, what legal protections exist and what to do if you witness or are the recipient of such behaviour. Delegates attending will be given insights and awareness to take back to their workplaces.

The session will be split between presentation and discussion, questions are encouraged throughout.

@acasorguk

Play Must Stay
Mark Hardy, Chairman, Association of Play Industries (API)

This presentation will look at how public play areas have developed over recent years and the changing priorities that have influenced development.

Join us to question the current trends and priorities, and the consequences of these for communities and individuals. The presentation will draw upon recent survey data to draw conclusions to support your future planning developments.

Mark Hardy is the independent Chair at the Association of Play Industries (API), an engineer by trade and now a successful businessman. His time leading one of the largest play companies in the mid 2000s gave him a genuine passion for play and a recognition of the importance of play and recreational facilities to local communities.

@apiplay

CloudyIT Big Fat Council Quiz of the Year
David Hall, Managing Director, CloudyIT – Conference Sponsor

Join David Hall and special guests as they test your clerking and general knowledge. Categories include five questions per round:

1. General Knowledge
2. Sport
3. TV and Film
4. Council Picture Round
5. Music

With prizes for winning clerks and councils.

@Cloudy_IT_UK

Time Management
Patricia Marks, Founder & CEO, Somerset Business Agency

Join Patricia to:

• Explore why time management issues arise
• Improve ability to plan and prioritise work
• Discover the importance of setting clear goals
• Minimize wasted time and distractions in the work-place
• Learn how to avoid being deflected from your priorities
• Understand how to use self-motivation as a time management tool
• Deal with unexpected events that steal time
• Learn tools and techniques for effective delegation
• Find out how to say ‘no’ to some ‘now’ requests

Allotment Association – Self-Management for Councils
Liz Bunting, Legal and Operations Manager, The National Allotment Society

This session will outline the following:

• Management Options which can be introduced
• Pro’s and Cons for Councils
• Due Diligence
• Sustaining Self Management
• Legal Agreements
• Management Responsibilities

@NSALG

Contracts and Employment
Ian Smith, SLCC National Employment Advisor

This session is a guide to everything you ever wanted to know about contracts and employment, in particular the 2011 model contract and the clauses and provisions in it. Join us to consider in detail both the disciplinary and grievance procedures and how to use them – when they work and when they breakdown.

The Past, the Present and the Future
Mike Attenborough-Cox, Smaller Authorities Audits and Appointments (SAAA) Chairman

Join this session to discover the history of SAAA, including the positives and negatives from the new regime, and the important role of the clerk.

How to be Assertive and Learn to Say No!
Mia Neupauerova, People Management Training and Coaching

Do you feel uncertain when voicing your opinions? Assertive people have the confidence to make their point or react to situations firmly and fairly. We will talk about different ways to be assertive and you will learn to respond in a controlled and constructive way and get better outcomes. Like any skills, even assertiveness requires awareness, time and practice.

Statutory Training Plans for Welsh Councils and
Preparing your Council for Hybrid Meetings with CloudyIT and Industry Partners
Elisabeth Skinner MBS FSLCC, Academic Leader, Kevin Griffiths, Head of Local Government Partnerships, Welsh Government and David Hall, Managing Director, Cloudy IT, Kelley Chisman, Optomo Projectors and Edward Orchard, Logitech

Training Plans
This session introduces the statutory requirement for training plans in Wales and considers the range of training available.

Hybrid Meetings
Cloudy IT joined by Logitech, Optoma Projectors and Decisions, the agenda pack solutions company, will be presenting a session on how to prepare your council for broadcasting their council meeting as well as hosting hybrid meetings. Simple to use, cost-effective technology is the key to ensuring a stress-free experience and our experts along with council colleagues will be demonstrating the technology and answering questions on this topic.

@WelshGovernment

@CloudyGroupLTD

Local Council Memorial Administration and Safer Burial Grounds
Alan Fairchild MBE, FSLCC, Honorary Vice President and Philip Potts, British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM)

This session will cover two critical subjects, memorial administration and burial grounds featuring training on:

• Memorial Administration – exclusive rights of burial, memorial ownership and stability testing and repair cost recovery.
• Burial Grounds – how BRAMM can help burial authority managers with their legal responsibilities when erecting memorials.

The training will include the opportunity to put your questions to Alan and Philip.

Medium to Large Council Networking
Helen Ball FSLCC, Clerk to Shrewsbury Town Council

Designed for councils with a precept of £50k or more.

Join Helen for a chance to talk about the issues facing medium to large councils in our sector.

@ShrewsburyTC

Small to Medium Council Networking
Katie Walding PSLCC, Clerk to Sway Parish Council

Designed for councils with a precept of less than £50k.

Join Katie for a chance to talk about the issues facing small to medium councils in our sector.

@Sway_PC

Building Resilience and Protecting Self-esteem
Becky Walsh, Personal Power Specialist, Beckywalsh.com

Resilience is the ‘rubber ball’ factor: the ability to bounce back in the event of adversity and the ability to know yourself well enough to avoid the triggers that can cause mental and emotional issues. In this talk, you will learn skills to bounce back and protect your self-esteem no matter what adversary.

Becky Walsh has worked in theatre for fifteen of years, she is a speaker and comedian herself and she works with the globally renowned TEDx conferences helping speakers create dynamic talk scripts. She also works as a communications officer in the second largest town council in the country.

@beckywalshcom

Neighbourhood Planning – Taking a Different View
Faye LeBon, Clerk to Poringland Parish Council

The examination process can make or break a neighbourhood plan and sometimes the recommendations of the Independent Examiner can come as a disappointment to local communities. However, by putting a reasoned case to the Local Planning Authority, a different view from the examiner can be taken. Faye LeBon, Clerk to Poringland Parish Council, explains how their district council took a different view from the examiner, not once, but twice, so the aspirations of the local community could be achieved through the neighbourhood plan.

How to Make Critical Decisions when the Stakes are High
Andrew Pain, Leadership Coach & Keynote Speaker

Join Andrew’s session to discover practical strategies on critical aspects of leadership development, including; decision-making under pressure, burnout, effective delegation, time management and personal performance.

An accredited leadership coach, Andrew is serving business leaders, enabling people to get more done, but without getting busier or burnt out. Andrew helps clients to answer critical leadership questions such as:

• How do you make wise decisions when you’re under pressure and out of time?
• What’s the best approach for big decisions? Your Gut? Your Heart? Your Brain? A mix of all of them? Or an Algorithm?
• How do you know when to play it safe and when to do something audacious?

Andrew’s journey to speaker and coaching began 15 years ago, when stuck in a violent and abusive marriage, with no ambitions of his own and a chronic worrier, he set about taking control of his life and transforming his future.

@andrewpain1974