Hampshire Association of Local Councils Hampshire Association of Local Councils

About Us

19th January 2009

Click here to view our Annual Review 2012 Online

Background

The Hampshire Association of Local Councils (Hampshire ALC) is a member-owned association acting as a support organisation and representative body for member parish and town councils, including the 21 parish meetings, across Hampshire. The ALC currently serves 244 member councils and meetings out of the total of 262, two further training partners, and four associates.  Please refer to our latest Annual Review for more information.

It sits in a national triangular hierarchy of local councils:

  • National Association of Local Councils (NALC)
  • South East Region County Association Forum (SERCAF)
  • County Association (Hampshire ALC)
  • District Association (Each of the seven parished Districts and Boroughs in Hampshire has a local association - Basingstoke, East Hampshire, Eastleigh, Hart, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester)
  • 9,700 Parish and Town Councils

 A Hampshire Parish Boundary Map from 2010 can be found here.


 Location and Resources

The ALC is based in Eastleigh and has five employee posts (and a Company Secretary in addition).  The Chief Executive is a full time post, whereas the Executive Officer, Member Support Officer, Business Support Officer and Business Support Assistant are part time positions; current staffing levels run to 135 hours a week. The ALC is the lead body for the Local Council Development Team, chaired by the Lead Member for Learning and Development, currently Cllr Mike Evans of Whiteley PC.  

The ALC's annual turnover is currently around £200k and is currently funded roughly in the following proportions:

  • Hampshire County Council Grant - 40%
  • Member Subscriptions - 40%
  • Self Generated Income - 19%
  • Interest - 1%

 

Subscriptions are average amongst the 38 county associations, whilst service levels are at the very highest end. Subscriptions are based on a formula around the square root of the number of electors, with a minimum figure for the smallest councils and 'maximum' county subscription of £900 for the very largest councils. 

Structure

The Association is run by seven County Directors in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles.  they are normally the Chairmen of our seven local associations.  Board members are elected from the seven District Associations, who in turn come from our member councils.  The Association's President is Professor Gerry Stoker, Professor of Politics at the University of Southampton.  Our Chairman is currently Cllr Anne Winstanley of Bishopstoke, Eastleigh District and is supported by three Vice Chairmen, Cllr Dr. Colin Mercer of Botley, Eastleigh District and Cllr Caroline Dibden of Hambleton, Winchester District and Cllr Mike Evans of Whiteley, Winchester District.  Colin is also Hampshire's NALC National Council Member and Barbara sits as a parish representative on the South Downs Park Authority.

Services and Assistance

Representation, Lobbying and Campaigning The ALC has strong links with all levels of the Statutory and Community Sectors in the County. County Councillor Dr Ray Ellis is a Hampshire County Council representative of the ALC. Through its representation on many bodies, including the Hampshire Senate and Local Government Association, the ALC is able to influence policy that affects local residents.  The ALC enjoys strong links with Hampshire SLCC, and the Branch Chairman attends County Board Meetings.
Information Information is forwarded primarily through our website, but the ALC also issues a monthly e.journal, and an annual report. There are also many documents and guidance booklets available. Advice on new legislation and consultations is also given through our LAIS service.
Query Service This service is open to clerks and chairman of member councils. The Member Support Officer is able to help with anything that life may throw at a council. This service includes a desktop legal service operated in conjunction with Hedley's Solicitors. Basic support with employment matters is also available within this service.  Those councils that wish to opt-in to our CIPD and ACAS backed specialist employment service may do so if they wish at a member-subsidised price of £50 per council.
Health & Safety Guidance We have an honorary Health and Safety Advisor who is available to councils by phone or email.
Clerk Recruitment The ALC offers support with clerk recruitment, and locum/holiday cover may also be available.
Councillor and Officer Development Training for members and officers is offered at discounted rates. Non-members are also welcome to use this service at standard rates.
Support and Networking The ALC provides a structure for networking and support. Clerks for example often work alone, and the Hampshire ALC provides a lifeline for these crucial officers in any local council.

In summary, Hampshire ALC can help a local council to resolve the majority of the issues, problems or tasks it is faced with. However, occassionally when we are unable to help you find a solution we will be delighted to put you in touch with one of our network of expert contacts who can advise you further.

Why join the Hampshire ALC?

All local councils and parish meetings in Hampshire are welcome to join the ALC. For further information on this please contact Steven Lugg, the Chief Executive.

It is a national, governmental and the Association's view that no local council can operate effectively without membership to its county association. From the Association's perspective, it can only be a strong lobbying body at County and District level if it has high membership of county local councils.

Membership also carries automatic membership of the relevant District Association and of the National Association (NALC), based in London.  Memberships are intertwined and not available on their own.  A NALC subscription is also payable, and not within the control of the ALC.

The amount of external funding brought into the sector, and highlighted for local council use also means that subscription fees can be more than covered by claiming external project funding for those proactive councils who wish to. This means that membership often costs less than the funds attracted through that membership.

For more information about Hampshire ALC, including our Financial Reports, please refer to our Annual Review 2012.

 View our 2013 Service Brochure Online

Page Owner:   Business Support Officer
Last Updated: 19 March 2013