What's on the agenda‪?‬ The SLCC Podcasting Team

Councillor Mike Joyce shares insights into the history and significance of Newton Abbot, a market town located on the outskirts of Dartmoor, between Exeter, Torquay, and Plymouth. The town, founded by the abbots of Tor Abbey, has a rich historical background, and is often referred to as the heart of Teignbridge. Councillor Joyce reflects on his experience as a councillor and the importance of working together for the benefit of residents and businesses. He expresses his admiration for Clerk Phil Rowe PSLCC, who has been instrumental in supporting and guiding the council since 2016. Highlighting the unique role of the clerk, Councillor Joyce praises the clerk's professionalism, knowledge, and the vital role they play in maintaining harmony and efficiency within the council. The council's recent achievements, such as the transformation of a derelict church into a museum and council offices, further demonstrate the impactful collaboration between councillors and the clerk.

Parish, town, and community councils play a vital role in local governance, and the role of a clerk is central to the success of the council. This podcast episode features Shaun Fishenden PSLCC, Clerk to Meopham Parish Council, and his Deputy Clerk, George Duffort StSLCC, as they discuss their journey into the world of parish councils from a young age. They share their experiences from both the clerk, and councillors perspectives, highlighting the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of both roles. They emphasise the need for clerks to have a deep knowledge of their community and to engage with various groups and volunteers. 

The episode also explores strategies for attracting young people to the sector and enhancing community engagement through social media and networking. George and Shaun also highlight how having a network of fellow clerks available through their local branch can provide vital support when facing new challenges.

In this episode we talk to Donna Smith FSLCC, Clerk to Taunton Town Council and Marcus Prouse, Deputy Clerk who provide insights into how the newly created council in Somerset started out through a Community Governance Review, and evolved into what is now a local council successfully working with, and for its community.

The journey involved close collaboration with the principal authority and external experts and despite the lengthy challenges faced, the establishment of Taunton Town Council was successful, leading to a diverse council made up of experienced and new councillors.

In this episode we speak to Shivani H. Menon. Shivani is a Senior Researcher on Onward’s Levelling Up and Social Fabric programmes. She is co-author of the report ‘Levelling Up Locally’, and has worked on topics like philanthropic giving, devolution, vocational education, and economic strategy.

Shivani gives a detailed insight into the ‘Levelling Up Locally’ report and highlights how low cost, fast action policies can be implemented by local leaders with the resources that are already available, despite the financial hardships faced by local councils.

From protecting local community assets, high streets, and town centres to providing support to the most disadvantaged members of the community, Shivani discusses how a range of different policies can be applied to enable local councils to level up.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Galbraith, SLCC’s Former Wales Policy Liaison Officer, and Emma Smith, SLCC’s Welsh Advisor who will be taking over the Wales Policy Liaison Officer role.

Mark discusses the wide variety of projects and work he has completed following on from the Williams Commission Report on Public Sector Reform in 2012 that started his formal relationship with SLCC, from writing regular articles for The Clerk Magazine, to taking on the role of Wales Policy Liaison Officer. Mark also offers some advice and guidance to Emma on taking over the role.

At our National Conference last October, we had a chance to chat to the Chairman of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), Councillor Keith Stevens. NALC is a really important partner for SLCC, and here we can listen in on how the organisation works and how its hugely experienced Chairman uses his role to promote the work of England’s town and parish councils and campaign on their behalf.