SALC projects 2024-25

Welcome to our information page presenting the projects and initiatives SALC are involved in on behalf of our members.  We use this page to demonstrate our activities to primarily inform our members and local and national stakeholders but also, we hope, to encourage collaboration as partnership working gives us a stronger voice and economies of scale.

All our projects are linked to the SALC Business Plan which has three objectives agreed by the Board annually.   For ease of reference these are:

SSL

Specialist support for local councils

ER

Engagement and representation on behalf of local councils

ID

Improvement and development for local councils

To view current projects and their status click on the tabs below. 

SALC payroll service development

Ref: SSLC/24/02
Objective: to review, expand and grow this service offer

Information page, blogs and drop-in guidance session for clerks complete. Data impact assessment complete, new SLA drafted.  Charging framework to be reviewed and presented to Board (Dec 2024)

Planning reforms

Ref: SSLC/24/03
Objective: to ensure councils clear on proposals for change

New page on SALC website, commissioned expert to respond to NPPF consultation.  EMR project for future briefings.

Training and development strategy

Ref:  SSLC/24/10
Objective: to develop long-term plans to improve take up and council improvement

Strategy drafted work will now commence on detailed programme from April 2025.

.gov.uk domains

Ref: SSLC/24/01
Objective: to increase the % of councils on .gov.uk domains and support Government drive for information security

Status - complete  New page on SALC website ongoing comms and monitoring

SLCC Suffolk collaboration

Ref: SSLC/23/02)
Objective: to improve support for clerks/officers

Status - complete

Partnership with Suffolk Highways

Ref: ERBM/23/09
Objective: to improve communications, serve levels, engagements with town and parish councils

Status - New information page published.  Complete - move to business as usual

Assistance with councillor recruitment

Ref: ERBM/24/01
Objective: to increase interest in the role of councillor across Suffolk

Status - Carried forward - EMR project 

75th Anniversary celebrations

Ref: ERBM/24/12
Objective: to recognise and celebrate SALC's existence supporting the sector

Proposal with the Board.

Energy Projects Coordinator

Ref: ERBM/24/05
Objective: to support councils engage on behalf of communities

Conditional on funding - £100k required, £30k secured so far,.

Levelling up - Suffolk's County Deal

Ref: CANCELLED
Objective: to engage with and ensure benefits for the sector 

East of England Associations of local councils

Ref: IDC/24/106
Objective: to benefit from opportunities to collaborate through joint working

Status - specialist planning webinars delivered (June 2024) discussions taking place in early 2025 to consider other opportunities.

Member investment programme/reserves

Ref: IDC/24/
Objective: to identify and earmark reserves on projects that directly benefit members

Status - proposals with the Board for approval will include EMR proposals

SALC annual survey outcomes

Ref: IDC/24/13
Objective: to demonstrate how SALC listens and delivers on issues raised by members

Status - half year report to be published by end of the year.

DEFIB maintenance awareness

Ref: IDC/24/11
Objective: to raise awareness of roles and responsibilities

Status - event organised

Suffolk peer review framework

Ref: IDC/24/09
Objective: to develop a framework to benefit smaller councils

Status - not yet started/carried forward

Bridge the gap - Model Council articles (change due to NALC website) review required

Ref: IDC/24/08
Objective: to increase resources to help bridge the gap for new clerks and resources linked to CiLCA

Status - new articles and appendices added (July 2024) - ongoing

SALC office refurbishment

Ref: IDC/24/09 - move to EMR projects
Objective: refit kitchen to enhance video conferencing/flexible meeting space 

Status - works to start December 2024

SALC team re-structure

Ref: IDC/24/11
Objective: to realign resources to new and emerging demand and build team/service resilience and succession planning

Status - complete

Constitution review 

Ref: IDC/24/05
Objective: to update governance document 

Status - complete

Suffolk Community Awards 2024

Ref:IDC/24/04
Objective: to showcase, celebrate and reward the work of local councils

Status - complete

Digital skills development

Ref: IDC/23/02
Objective: to showcase, celebrate and reward the work of local councils

Status - complete