Documents
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, 06 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, 06 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, 06 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, 06 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, 06 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, 06 Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 10 : Casual Vacancies revised April 2019
This Advice Note relates to the process for dealing with casual vacancies on the council including advertising the vacancy and the co-option process.
Mon, 06 Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 9 : Chairmans Allowance revised May 2019
This Advice Note covers the legislation relating to a chairman's allowance, what it can be used for and how payment is made.
Mon, 06 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, 06 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, 06 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, 06 Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 05 : Section 137 revised May 2019
This Advice Note outlines the power of last resort, Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 and gives the current year's spend limit under the power.
Mon, 06 Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 03 : Local Council Powers revised December 18
This Advice Note gives a list of local council powers for councils that do not have the General Power of Competence.
Mon, 06 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, 06 Jan 2020
YLCA Advice Note 01 : YLCA Advisory Service revised April 2019
This Advice Note outlines the service offered by YLCA to member councils.
Mon, 06 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 88 : Event Licensing revised August 2016
This LTN explains licensing entertainments, gambling activities (such as bingo) and alcohol sales.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 87 : Procurement revised June 2018
This LTN covers the legislative requirements for local council procurement i.e. the process by which the council awards contracts to third parties to provide goods or services. The document covers the thresholds that apply in legislation and explains the use of the contract finder website. It also explains the requirement for all local councils to have standing orders on contracts.
Fri, 03 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, 03 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, 03 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, 03 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, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 81 : Pre-Determination revised January 2018
This LTN describes the circumstances in which a local council may compulsorily purchase land and the procedure for doing so.
Fri, 03 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, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 80 : Members' Conduct and the Registration and Declaration of Interests (England) revised March 2017
This LTN outlines the need for councillors to complete a register of interests and also 'declare interests' at council meetings. It explains the code of conduct and the handling of code of conduct complaints against councillors. This is recommended reading for all councillors.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 79 : Staff Pensions revised May 2016
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, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 78 : The Equality Act 2010 revised January 2013
This LTN outlines key provisions of The Equality Act 2010 which protects individuals from discrimination. This act replaced legislation such as the Sex Discrimiation Act 1975, Race Relations Act 1976, Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and Equal Pay Act 1970.
The Act protects individuals from discrimination because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, sex (gender), pregnancy and maternity (a protected characteristic separate to sex), race, religion or belief, sexual orientation.
Fri, 03 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, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 76 : Energy Performance Requirements revised May 2014
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, 03 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, 03 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, 03 Jan 2020