Introducing Somerset’s Star Council Awards 2026
Nominations Open for Somerset’s Star Council Awards We are excited to introduce Somerset’s “Star Council” Awards at our Somerset Parishes Conference 2026. We invite member councils to join together on Thursday 8th October to recognise and celebrate: 1. Somerset’s Council of the Year2. Somerset’s Councillor of the Year3. Somerset’s Young Councillor of the Year4. Somerset […]
NALC Star Council Awards
Nominations for the 2026/27 Star Council Awards are now open NALC’s Star Council Awards are the pinnacle of nationwide recognition for parish and town councils. These prestigious awards celebrate the innovation, dedication, and outstanding achievements of parish and town councils, councillors, young councillors, county associations, and clerks. Parish and town councils are the heartbeat of […]
Newsletter July 2026
Book your place at Somerset Parishes Conference 2026 The Somerset Parishes Conference 2026 will take place on Thursday 8th October at The Canalside Conference Centre, near Bridgwater. SALC leads the organisation of the annual celebration of Somerset’s city, town and a parish council sector, with welcome support from Somerset Council and our sector partners. The Conference will commence […]
NALC Project Keystone consultation
Updated Project Keystone date Nalc has extended the deadline for the Project Keystone survey to 12th June 2026, giving more people the opportunity to share their views on the future of sector support. If you have already completed the survey, thank you – your contribution is hugely appreciated. If you haven’t yet, now is the time. Your feedback will […]
May Newsletter 2026
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 The Act, which received Royal assent on 29th April, introduces new community and governance reforms that will affect how decisions are made and how communities can be involved. Principal authorities, such as Somerset Council, are now required to put in place effective neighbourhood governance arrangements. Engagement by our national […]
Newsletter March 2026
How can SALC better serve your council? SALC invites parish, town, and city councils, and parish meetings across Somerset to take part in a county-wide survey to help develop a wider picture of what first-tier local councils are experiencing and delivering now that we have settled into unitarisation. Your insights will help SALC understand: The challenges parish, […]
Newsletter January 2026
Welcome to 2026! The SALC team wishes all our members and partners a happy 2026. We look forward to supporting, advising, training, and catching up with more of you in the coming months. Government shifts to a multi-year settlement approach to continue to exempt parish and town councils from referendum principles: The government has published its Provisional […]
Newsletter November 2025
Have you submitted your feedback on the 2025 Somerset Parishes Conference? “A very good 2nd Conference: thank you to all involved in running it.”“I really enjoyed it and hope that we are able to attend again next year.”“Great conference – really so glad I was able to attend”“Talking with other persons such as clerks and […]
Address by the High Sheriff of Somerset to the Somerset Parishes Conference 2025
The following is a copy of the opening address given by the High Sheriff of Somerset at the Somerset Parishes Conference 2025. Further resources from the day will be made available to member councils in the knowledge hub of the SALC website. ……………………………… My name is Janet Montgomery, I have the honour of serving as […]
Newsletter September 2025
Don’t miss out on booking your council’s place at the Somerset Parishes Conference 2025 Book Your Place This year’s Somerset Parishes Conference will take place from 9am to 4pm on Friday 3rd October at The Canalside conference centre, North Petherton (near Bridgwater). Two representatives per SALC member council are invited to attend the conference. Although […]