Documents
YLCA Advice Note 22: The Recording of Meetings and Officer Decisions revised June 2019
This Advice Note explains that under The Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, anyone can record a council meeting. It also covers the requirement for the recording of decisions made by officers using delegated powers. There is a separate Annex to this advice note which is a template recording policy document for local councils.
Tue, 7th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 21: Travellers Briefing Note revised September 2014
This Advice note sets out the legal and policy position in relation to Travellers and some of the key powers available, including to local councils, to address illegal and unauthorised encampments.
Tue, 7th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 19: General Power of Competence revised April 2019
This Advice Note explains the freedom granted by the general power of competence, the criteria to be met before a local council can use it and some restrictions on using the power.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 16: The Mandatory Publications Scheme revised April 2019
This Advice Note explains the requirement under Freedom of Information legislation for all local councils and parish meetings to adopt a Publication Scheme which gives details of information held by the council or parish meeting which is unreservedly available to the public.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 15: The use of Parish Polls revised April 2019
This Advice Note explains parish polls at a parish meeting.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 14: Number of Councillors revised April 2019
This Advice Note explains how the number of councillors on a local council can be calculated based on the number of electors in the parish and states how a review of the number of councillors can be instigated.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 13: The Three Stages of Local Council Audit revised May 2019
This Advice note explains internal controls, internal audit and external audit.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 12: Committees of the Council revised December 2018
This Advice Notes explains a councils committee structure of council/committee/sub- committee and working party.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 11: Dealing with Members of the Public revised May 2019
This Advice Note outlines public rights in relation to local councils and includes public participation at meetings, suggested rules for a public session at a council meeting, freedom of information and data protection.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 08: Parish Meetings revised May 2019
This Advice Note covers the status, agenda, notice and chairmanship arrangements for Parish Meetings.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 07: Council Meeting Agendas revised March 2019
This Advice Note covers agendas, decision taking and discussion of business at a council meeting including meeting notices, agendas and rights of the public.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 06: Councillors Rights to Time off work revised April 2019
This Advice Note explains the legislation which allows a councillor to take reasonable time off work to attend council meetings.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 03: Local Council Powers revised July 2020
This Advice Note gives a list of local council powers for councils that do not have the General Power of Competence.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 02: Meetings Quick Checklist revised April 2019
This Advice Note gives a checklist for councils relating to minutes including the agenda, convening a meeting, public participation, quorum and minutes.
Mon, 6th Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 86: The Disclosure and Barring Service revised October 2013
This LTN outlines the requirement to carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to monitor the suitability of individuals who work with children and vulnerable adults. It also explains the requirement to maintain lists of individuals who work with children and vulnerable adults.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 85: The Community Right to Nominate and Bid for Assets of Community Value (England) revised September 2015
This LTN explains the rights afforded to local councils under the Localism Act 2011 to nominate an asset of community value to be added to a list maintained by their principal authority. An asset of community value may include, for example, a community centre, village shop, tennis courts or a pub.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 84: The Community Right to Challenge (England) revised January 2013
This LTN explains the 'Community Right to Challenge' which allows local councils (amongst others) to declare an interest in running a service normally provided by a principal authority
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 83: Neighbourhood Planning revised June 2012
This LTN considers the implications of the Localism Act 2011 for shaping development in the community through neighbourhood planning. It covers all aspects of the process including designating the neighbourhood plan area, submitting the proposal, the role of the local planning authority and independent examiner and referendums.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 82: Compulsary Puchase Orders revised January 2018
This LTN describes the circumstances in which a local council may compulsorily purchase land and the procedure for doing so. Updated Jan 2018
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 81: Pre-Determination revised August 2014
This LTN uses caselaw to provide guidance on how decision makers such as local councillors should avoid bias and pre-determination.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 79: Staff Pensions revised July 2020
This LTN explains the requirement on all local councils to enrol eligible job holders onto a qualifying pension scheme such as the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 77: Public Rights of Way revised June 2014
This LTN gives an overview of the law relating to public rights of way. It explains what they are, how they are created and covers issues particular to local councils. Also refer to LTN47 - Easements and LTN57 - Easements over common land and village greens.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 76: Energy Performance Requirements revised March 2023
This LTN explains the requirements to display energy use certificates in council buildings which are open to the public having a floor area of over 250m2.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 75: Lease Negotiations revised July 2012
This LTN explains the information which should be included in a lease and the process to follow in drafting a lease including professional advice. It goes on to advise on rent reviews, repairing obligations and insurance.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 74: Alternative Names and Styles for Parish Councils revised July 2008
This LTN explains the process for a local council to change its style (e.g. parish, town, community or village council) and refers to all relevant legislation.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 73: Community Governance Reviews revised July 2015
This LTN considers the use of community governance reviews to create, abolish, alter or group parish councils.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 72: Highways revised July 2012
This LTN explains the legislative powers of the highways authority to carry out works to the highway including traffic calming and signage.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 71: Naming and Numbering of Streets revised November 2007
This LTN covers the two separate and mutually exclusive sets of statutory provisions which govern the naming and numbering of streets in England.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 70: The Local Environment revised September 2017
This LTN gives an overview of the powers of principal authorities so parish councils can make representations with regard to the environment and the appearance of the local environment. Includes vehicles on the road, abandoned vehicles, graffiti and fly posting, noise and lighting.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 69: Anti Social Behaviour and Harrassment revised July 2016
This LTN gives an overview of provisions to enable local councils to make representations regarding anti-social behaviour following the introduction of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Fri, 3rd Jan 2020