Benefits of Membership

YLCA will only give advice to parish and town councils and parish meetings in membership of the Associations. Benefits of membership are:

  • Access to an adviser for procedural, technical and legal queries by telephone, e-mail or letter at any time during normal working hours. (The Associations have a policy that advice will be given to the Proper Officer of the council (clerk) and to the chairman of the council if the query concerns the clerk or in exceptional circumstances where the clerk is not available and by prior arrangement). (It is YLCA policy that a response to any enquiry will be sent within 21 days of its receipt).
  • An element of the membership fee affiliates councils to the National Association of Local Councils and YLCA is able to access the services of the NALC Legal Team for more complex legal enquiries.
  • A regular news sheet ‘White Rose Update’ is sent to all members, which contains advice and information relevant to all parish and town councils.
  • Advice notes are prepared on specific topics and issues.
  • YLCA operates a system of branch meetings that allow councillors and clerks to come together three times per year to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. The branches are also used as the electoral college for the Associations Joint Executive Board. There are 12 branches:

Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Leeds, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby, South Pennine, South Yorkshire, Wakefield and York.

The Joint Executive electoral system ensures that the Associations led and directed by representatives of member councils.