Good morning. This week: a backdated pay award, proposed changes to council accounts and audit, useful precept benchmarks and three verified funding routes.
A new name, same briefing. The Clerk is now Clerk Essentials. The schedule, independent focus and 90-second format are unchanged.
Clerk Essentials Supplier Directory. Choosing a supplier is easier when you can see who already works with councils. Our independent directory lists established providers across software, insurance, audit, HR, websites and play.
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The 3.3% pay award is backdated to April. The National Joint Council has agreed a 3.3% increase in local-government pay rates and allowances for 2026/27, effective from 1 April 2026. Councils employing staff on the relevant NJC or model-contract terms should update payroll and calculate any back pay due. Read the update.
Proposed AGAR and audit changes are open for comment. The Smaller Authorities Proper Practices Panel is consulting on proposed codes covering governance, accounts and internal audit for Category 2 authorities in England. The proposals include changes to the Annual Governance Statement, reserves, the presentation of accounts and internal audit; they are not current rules and, if approved, are expected to apply from 2027/28. Responses close on 31 October 2026. Read and respond.
Use the £99.79 national precept figure carefully. Official figures put aggregate local precepts at £941.6 million for 2026/27, up from £858.6 million, while the average Band D precept in precepting areas is £99.79, up 8.2%. These are useful budget-season benchmarks, not targets: set them alongside your own services, tax base and reserves when explaining next year's figures. See the official figures.
Wyre Community Infrastructure Grant Programme, grants from £20,000. Parish and town councils in Wyre can apply for improvements to community centres, village halls, sports hubs and heritage buildings. Projects can improve access, energy efficiency, activities or community use; applications close at midnight on 13 September 2026. Check the programme.
Warwick Community Climate and Nature Fund, up to £10,000. Town and parish councils in Warwick District can seek funding for carbon reduction, climate adaptation, biodiversity, waste reduction or research that unlocks a larger bid. The current application window closes on 30 September 2026. Check the fund.
Somerset Community Flood Action Fund, £3,000 to £20,000. Town and parish councils in Somerset can apply for practical works that reduce local flood risk or impact, including improvements to flood-defence features, culverts and ditches. Applications are accepted at any time and the next quarterly deadline is 24 November 2026. Read the guidance.
Rehearse a cyber incident for free. The National Cyber Security Centre's Exercise in a Box gives councils ready-made exercises for ransomware, phishing, supply-chain incidents, passwords and other common risks. It is free, needs no specialist expertise and includes the material to run a discussion and turn the findings into follow-up actions. Open Exercise in a Box.
Dalton builds ownership into its pocket-park plan. Dalton Town Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have won in-principle backing for £570,000 to buy a vacant town-centre site and create a pocket park for everyday use and events. The town council has agreed in principle to own and maintain the land, subject to formal resolutions, while detailed design and further public engagement follow. The practical lesson is to settle long-term ownership and maintenance early, then use a compact public-space project to connect residents' priorities, external funding and a clear delivery partnership. Read about the plan.
Clerk Essentials Supplier Directory. A quick, independent starting point for the software, insurance, audit, HR, websites and play suppliers councils use most. Browse the directory.
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