Time off, digital AGAR and council grants

Good afternoon. This week: time off for public duties, digital AGAR training, a follow-up on unitary transition work, and four council-eligible funding routes.

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This Week's Essentials

Working councillors have two consultation routes on time off. The government is consulting on how the statutory right to reasonable time off for public duties works in practice, closing at 11:59pm on 4 September 2026. NALC is also gathering parish and town councillor views for its response, with its survey closing on 30 July. Why it matters: if your council struggles to attract working-age councillors, this is a practical opportunity to feed in evidence about barriers to service. Read the government consultation.

Free digital AGAR seminars start in September. NALC says SAAA-funded Financial Regional Training Seminars will help smaller authorities prepare for digital AGAR, changes to proper practices, public-meeting consideration of audit reports and VAT essentials. Dates include 10 September, 16 September, 17 November and 26 November 2026. Why it matters: this is worth sharing with anyone who manages, supports or oversees your council's finances before digital audit becomes routine. See the seminar details.

Building on last week's unitary update: start a local transition watch list. Ministers have now published decisions for 14 areas, replacing 134 councils with 38 unitary authorities, with West Sussex, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough still to follow. Why it matters: for clerks in affected areas, the practical question now is not only what has been decided, but what happens locally next. Track transition boards, neighbourhood committee proposals, asset discussions and any service changes that may draw parish and town councils into new arrangements. Read the announcement.

Funding Radar

Tesco Fruit and Veg Grants, up to £1,500. Parish and town councils can apply for local children's and young people's projects with a healthy food focus, such as holiday food, growing projects, healthy snacks or cooking activities. Three shortlisted projects in each store area receive £500, £1,000 or £1,500 after the customer vote. There is no fixed deadline and applications are rolling. Check the programme.

Sport England Movement Fund, £300 to £15,000. Not-for-profit organisations in England can apply for community physical activity projects, including new sessions, equipment, improved spaces, environmental sustainability linked to activity, and organisational capacity. There is no submission deadline, but Sport England says to apply at least 12 weeks before spending starts. Read the fund page.

Football Foundation facility grants, up to £25,000. Local authorities can apply where grassroots football is an integral part of the offer. Current grant areas include goalposts, floodlights, pavilions and clubhouses, drainage, fencing, grass pitch improvements and new grass pitches. Most small facility pages do not list a closing date, but applicants should check the relevant grant page before starting. View the funding routes.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, up to £350,000. The Together for Service Families place-based programme invites local authorities and experienced armed-forces charities to lead projects supporting serving families affected by separation or relocation. Expressions of interest close at 12 noon on 19 August 2026. It will only suit councils with a clear local service-family community and strong partners. Read the guidance.

Deadline Watch

• 30 July 2026: NALC survey for parish and town councillors on time off for public duties closes. Link.
• 19 August 2026: Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Together for Service Families expressions of interest close at 12 noon. Link.
• 4 September 2026: government consultation on time off for public duties closes at 11:59pm. Link.
• 25 September 2026: NALC Star Council Awards nominations close. Link.

Free Resource

Tree and woodland guidance for local authorities. The Forestry Commission has updated its free hub for local authorities planning, planting and managing trees and woodland. It brings together guidance on woodland creation, species choice, felling, Tree Preservation Orders, ash dieback, access management and funding. Useful if your council is looking at biodiversity duty work, a new planting scheme or a public open-space plan. Open the guidance.

Clerk's Corner

Asset mapping before reorganisation: Horndean, Four Marks and Medstead. East Hampshire District Council has launched an Asset Based Community Development toolkit after pilots with Horndean Parish Council, Four Marks Parish Council and Medstead Parish Council. The approach starts by mapping local groups, facilities and relationships, then uses that knowledge to shape community asset transfer and area partnerships. Horndean's clerk said the pilot helped the council build relationships with community partners and respond more proactively to residents' needs. The lesson for other councils is simple: before a larger unitary structure arrives, know what your parish already has, who is active locally, and which assets or services might need a practical local plan. Read the example.

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