Good morning. This week: an audit warning every smaller authority should act on, the planning changes that matter locally, confirmed visitor-levy powers and three verified funding routes.
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SAAA’s latest annual report is a governance warning worth acting on now. Across nearly 10,000 smaller authorities, 94% of 2024/25 limited-assurance reviews were completed on time, but around one council in three received a qualified opinion. SAAA says the recurring problems are usually procedural: incomplete or inconsistent Annual Governance Statements, missed requirements and weaknesses in governance, rather than financial viability. With its digital AGAR portal due to be fully operational for the 2026/27 audit year, this is a good week to check the evidence behind every governance assertion and close any repeat audit points. Read the SAAA annual report.
The new National Planning Policy Framework is in force. SLCC’s open summary highlights changes with practical local consequences: a stronger presumption in favour of development within settlements, expanded support for development near well-connected stations, greater protection for pubs and other community assets, and scope for local plans to set higher energy-efficiency standards. Neighbourhood plans must now “have regard to” national decision-making policies rather than “accord with” them. Clerks supporting planning committees should update briefing notes and flag the new tests when reviewing applications or neighbourhood-plan work. Read SLCC’s practical summary.
The overnight visitor levy is now confirmed government policy. Mayoral and Foundation Strategic Authorities in England will be able to choose a percentage levy on paid overnight stays, consult locally and decide how receipts are invested. Accommodation providers, not parish or town councils, will pay the levy to the strategic authority; temporary accommodation, shelters and refuges will be excluded, with scope for local exemptions such as campsites. Legislation will follow, and spending plans are expected by early 2028. Councils in visitor areas should prepare a short, costed case for the public spaces, events and services that tourism puts under pressure. Read the government announcement.
FCC Community Action Fund, £10,000 to £100,000. Parish and town councils can apply for capital projects at community amenities within 10 miles of an eligible FCC Environment waste facility. Projects must cost no more than £250,000 including VAT, and applicants need ownership, a lease or a management agreement with at least five years remaining. The current round closes at 5pm on 18 November 2026. Check the location map before doing the detailed work. Check the fund.
National Lottery Awards for All England, £300 to £20,000. Parish and town councils are eligible for this rolling programme, which can support projects lasting up to two years. Priorities include stronger relationships, improved community places and spaces, helping people reach their potential and support through cost-of-living pressures. Decisions take around 16 weeks, so build that lead time into committee approval and delivery dates. Check the programme.
Sport England Movement Fund, £300 to £15,000. Local authorities can apply for projects of up to 12 months that help more people be physically active, including activities, equipment, improvements to spaces, organisational capacity and sustainability measures linked to activity. There is no fixed deadline, but apply at least 12 weeks before the project starts or any spending begins; decisions usually take six to eight weeks. Explore the fund.
BRAMM Blue Book — Abridged Version 2026. This free, public 26-page guide is a useful working reference for councils that manage cemeteries or burial grounds. It covers BS 8415, lawn-memorial components and foundations, ground anchors, joining and fixing methods, refixing existing memorials, documentation and safe working practice. There is no membership, account or subscription required: the link opens the PDF directly. Open the free BRAMM guide.
Run a five-minute audit-readiness check. Take the latest Annual Governance Statement and make sure every “yes” answer has a minute, policy, control or other evidence behind it. Check that statutory publication dates are in the calendar, then list any repeat auditor comments on one page with an owner and completion date. SAAA’s figures suggest that many qualifications come from avoidable process and governance gaps, so this small check can prevent a disproportionate amount of work later. See SAAA’s annual reports.
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