The SALC annual survey was launched at the end of January 2024 and analysis published on this website - Annual Member Survey 2024 | SALC Website. This page provides an update on activities by SALC linked to the priorities identified and will be kept up to date. It was last updated on 2nd December 2024.
Highways
The partnership with Suffolk Highways is now up and running with a new dedicated page and forums have taken place which have received positive feedback. Information page - Suffolk Highways | SALC Website
Planning
SALC website and portal
A series of specialist planning webinars has been organised and available to watch on-demand. Planning information added to Model Council. Investment in reform briefings taken place. We also commissioned a specialist to respond to the survey on planning reforms too. This had positive feedback from a number of member councils saving them lots of time and research.
SALC have continued to develop their NSIPs information page on the website and in addition, working with Suffolk County Council, published quarterly e-magazines. SALC have also targeted information to councils identified as being impacted by specific projects where strict deadlines apply providing further guidance and support to help councils deal with key elements of the process. National Strategic Infrastructure Projects (NSIPS) | SALC Website
SALC have secured £110k to support the recruitment of a fixed term energy projects officer role for a three year period.
Environment and Climate
SALC continued with their climate forum attracting a range of speakers and hosting a back catalogue of information. Climate Forum | SALC Website .
Due to a slow down in attendance it has been suspended but will restart in 2026. Work with the Great Collaboration commenced to enable an East Anglia initiative to move forward.
Workshops on flooding and sharing of information has taken place alongside closer working with Emergency Planning including SALC taking part in a desktop exercise.
Area forums have also hosted speakers to promote plug in Suffolk and a follow up briefing through the climate forum.
We have a representative through the Babergh Area Forum for Dedham Value National Landscape Partnership.
We held a joint session with Norfolk on the Local Nature Recovery strategy and a follow up briefing through the climate forum.
Managing community assets
Initiatives were under consideration to assist parishes more in this area. LGR has moved this in a different direction.
Community Safety
Previous work with PCC and Suffolk Constabulary was not as well supported. LGR and MSA provide a new opportunity for SALC to explore as part of devolution.
Financial management
A new partnership was set up with Scribe although some network sessions received feedback that it was sales orientated. New articles have been added to complete Model Council. Clerk unplugged addressing the needs of newer clerks. The Parkinson Partnership will remain but with a higher profile.
SALC Board approved subsidy in relation to SALC subscriptions as part of a strategy for using up reserves. This also includes a CiLCA bursary, inclusion of all parish meetings in membership. Advertising campaign to recruit more officers and councillors and assist with development of officers.
Isolation and loneliness
Working closely with Rural Coffee Caravan SALC promoted their schedule of visits by districts in the TLC in October 2024.
Working closely with Community Action Suffolk SALC promoted Good Neighbour Schemes in the TLC in July 2024 and allowed the project lead to speak at area forums which were recorded and circulated to all members.
Councillor recruitment
As part of SALC's 75 year celebration in 2025 a film will be commissioned to put a spotlight on the role of councillors and the sector as a whole. This will be used over the next two years in the lead up to the 2027 elections in May.
Clerk recruitment, development, retention
Ditto above - with a feature on the professional clerk role. In addition SALC have invested in additional resources to support officers new to role.
SALC projects
A revised longer-term business plan has been produced, linked to emerging areas including LGR and devolution - something that was not anticipated and has dominated 2025.