What are local councils?
Local council is a universal term for parish and town councils, who are statutory bodies and comprise the first tier of local government. They serve their electorates, are independently elected and raise their own precept (a form of council tax). There are 361 parish councils in Devon, and 42 parish meetings (parishes without parish councils).
Who we are and what we do
The Devon Association of Local Councils has been supporting and representing the interests of local councils in Devon for over 70 years. It is our purpose to empower and support councils to serve their communities effectively, promoting good governance, community engagement and partnership working. Through our services we aim to strengthen the capacity and impact of local councils, with the support of the National Association of Local Councils.
Our members range from the smallest parish meetings, to the largest town councils. In fact, over 95% of parish councils are in membership.
Our range of services include:
- Up-to-date advice and guidance by email and phone through our dedicated and highly experienced team, with access to further finance, HR and general legal advice via the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).
- Regular updates and information on local government matters via our website and weekly e-bulletins. Including access to legal briefings, publications, and toolkits on a wide range of topics.
- Training and development for councillors and clerks to grow their knowledge and skills, including support for achieving the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA). We also support the improvement and development of councils via the Local Council Award Scheme.
- Access to, and influence over, a national family of county associations and a national body, working together with a strong voice raising the profile of local councils to vocalise and progress matters of interest to our sector.
- Opportunities to engage with DALC, and other councils, to influence and leverage our collective voice to represent the sector to stakeholders and partners, advocating for topics, change, and/or initiatives that address local needs and priorities.
- Being part of an organisation of mutually supportive councils, able to help one another, share issues and inspire each other, with regular opportunities to network and discuss topics of interest locally, and nationally (via NALC’s network groups).
How we work
In April 2020, DALC became a company limited by guarantee. The organisation is managed by a Board of Directors who are responsible for the operational management of the association. We also have national representation on NALC’s National Assembly.
Additionally, we work in partnership with principal authorities and a range of other organisations which support Devon’s communities, as well a range of commercial partners who provide specialist products and services for the sector.
