Hampshire Association of Local Councils

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Hampshire Association of Local Councils

The Hampshire ALC is a not for profit membership organisation serving member parish and town councils across Hampshire.

The Hampshire ALC is a not for profit membership organisation leading, representing, informing and supporting the 262 parishes of Hampshire. We also offer Consultancy, HR advice and Training across the country where a request is made.

29/10/2026

Upcoming Course: Local Council Governance – Understanding Your Responsibilities

Ensuring effective governance is the most critical aspect of a local councillor’s role. Councillors are responsible for maintaining oversight, and ensuring the local Council acts lawfully and transparently.

Hampshire ALC’s upcoming course supports you with this responsibility by considering what governance means within a local council and considering the the processes that support accountability and appropriate use of public money.

The session will help you connect governance principles with your council’s everyday work, giving you a stronger basis for asking questions, scrutinising decisions and contributing to council business.

📅 Tuesday 17 November 2026
🕥 10.30 am to 1.00 pm
📍 Basingstoke

View course details and book your place today: https://bookwhen.com/hampshirealc/e/ev-sry8u-20261117103000

27/10/2026

Upcoming Training for Councillors, Clerks and Council Staff: November 2026

Hampshire ALC’s November courses cover governance responsibilities, community engagement, preventing sexual harassment and political awareness.

Our upcoming sessions include:

Local Council Governance: Understanding Your Responsibilities
📅 17 November | 10.30 am to 1.00 pm
📍 Basingstoke
Develop your understanding of councillors’ governance responsibilities and processes that support appropriate use of public money.

NEW: Community Engagement - Turning Local Views into Useful Conversations
📅 18 November | 10.30 am to 1.00 pm
📍 Alresford
Consider how to plan meaningful engagement and put effective approaches into practice.

Prevention of Sexual Harassment Training: Your Obligations
📅 24 November | 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
📍 Online
Explore how councils can help prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

NEW: Political Awareness
📅 26 November | 10.30 am to 1.00 pm
📍 Basingstoke
Explore how political dynamics affect local councils and how clerks and officers can manage them.

View course details and book your place: https://bookwhen.com/hampshirealc

23/10/2026

A special thank you to our outgoing President, John Denham, for eight years of support and commitment to Hampshire ALC.

Our Annual General Meeting on Saturday provided an opportunity to recognise John’s contribution to the Association and thank him for the time and experience he has shared throughout his presidency.

On behalf of our members, Board and staff, we extend our sincere appreciation for his support for our work with parish and town councils across Hampshire.

Thank you, John, and we wish you all the very best for the future.

23/10/2026

Congratulations to Sway Parish Council, winner of our Excellence in Employment Practice award, presented at Hampshire ALC’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

The award recognises the importance of good employment practice within local government and the responsibilities councils hold as employers.

Clear policies, fair procedures and appropriate support for staff provide an important foundation for an effective council. Good employment practice helps employees understand their roles, access development opportunities and contribute to the council’s work on behalf of residents.

We were pleased to recognise Sway Parish Council’s commitment in this area and congratulate its councillors and staff on this achievement.

22/10/2026

Congratulations to the recipients of our Commitment to Continuous Learning and Development award, presented at Hampshire ALC’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

It was a pleasure to recognise councils that demonstrate a continued commitment to developing the knowledge and skills needed to fulfil their responsibilities.

Learning and development supports councillors and staff in understanding their duties, maintaining good governance and responding to the changing demands of local government. Investing in this knowledge strengthens a council’s ability to make informed decisions and serve its community effectively.

🏆Winner:
• Rooksdown Parish Council

Runner-up:
• Dummer Parish Council

Highly commended:
• Shedfield Parish Council

We congratulate all three councils on this achievement and thank them for their commitment to continued learning and effective public service.

21/10/2026

Preparing Your Council’s CIL Report Before 31 December

Parish and town councils that received Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts during 2025/26 should prepare their annual report ahead of **31 December 2026**.

CIL provides funding from development to support infrastructure. Councils receiving a neighbourhood share must report on how those funds have been used and what remains unspent.

For the year ending 31 March 2026, the report must include total receipts and expenditure, the items funded and the amount spent on each, unspent balances from current and previous years, and any required repayment information.

It must be published by the deadline and sent to the charging authority, normally the district or borough council, unless it is, or will be, published on that authority’s website.

October and November provide an opportunity to check figures, resolve discrepancies and confirm local reporting arrangements, allowing sufficient time for publication.

Hampshire ALC members can access further finance and governance guidance through our website:
https://www.hampshirealc.org.uk/member-area/

21/10/2026

Congratulations to the recipients of our Excellence in Community Engagement award, proudly sponsored by Smart Marketing, presented at Hampshire ALC’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

The morning provided an opportunity to recognise the work of local councils in building relationships with residents and encouraging participation in community life.

Community engagement is an important part of effective local government. Listening to residents, understanding their priorities and providing opportunities for people to contribute helps councils make informed decisions on behalf of the communities they serve.

🏆Winner:
• Eastleigh Town Council

Runner-up:
• Elvetham Heath Parish Council

Highly commended:
• Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council

We congratulate all three councils on this recognition and thank their councillors and staff for their continued commitment to community engagement.

20/10/2026

Congratulations to the recipients of our Council of the Year award, presented at Hampshire ALC’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

It was a pleasure to bring together colleagues from across the county to recognise the work of local councils and their contribution to the communities they represent.

The Council of the Year award celebrates the commitment of councillors and staff to effective local government. It recognises the important role councils play in representing residents, responding to local priorities and supporting the services and facilities that communities rely on.

🏆Winner:
• Wellow Parish Council

Runner-up:
• Elvetham Heath Parish Council

Highly commended:
• Hook Parish Council

We congratulate all three councils on this achievement and thank their councillors and staff for their continued dedication to public service.

19/10/2026

Congratulations to the recipients of the Clerk of the Year award, presented at Hampshire ALC’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday!

The award recognises the professionalism and commitment of clerks in supporting effective council administration, good governance and service to their local communities.

🏆Joint winners:
• Sophie Thorogood, Wickham & Knowle Parish Council
• Tracy Hamer, Elvetham Heath Parish Council

Runner-up:
• Jane Ray, Braishfield Parish Council

Highly commended:
• Sarah Dignan, Hook Parish Council
• Shelly Webb, Overton Parish Council

We congratulate all recipients and thank them for their valued contribution to local government.

16/10/2026

Getting Ready to Approve and Submit Your Council’s Precept

As parish and town councils prepare their 2027/28 budgets, they should also plan for the approval and submission of their precept request.

Councils should confirm their billing authority’s deadline, required information and submission process. Local timetables vary, so a particular January date should not be assumed.

October and November provide an opportunity to work backwards from the deadline, allowing time for members to consider the draft budget, resolve questions and formally approve the budget and precept at a full council meeting.

A change in the total precept does not necessarily result in the same percentage change in the parish or town council’s Band D charge. Considering both figures helps members understand the implications for council finances and council taxpayers.

Planning ahead helps avoid rushed decisions or administrative delays as the deadline approaches.

Hampshire ALC members can access further practical guidance through the Members’ Area:
https://www.hampshirealc.org.uk/member-area/

Address

Floor 2, Eastleigh House
Eastleigh
SO509YN

Telephone

+442381730060

Website

http://www.hampshirealc.org.uk/

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