Wiltshire & Swindon Training Partnership for Town & Parish Councils

The Rural White Paper (November 2000) recognised the important role of the first tier of local government and proposed a number of initiatives to support parish and town councils to undertake this role.

The Countryside Agency and the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) were tasked with developing a National Training Strategy to provide training and support for parish and town councils.

Countrywide, County Training Partnerships, which represent relevant training providers in the county as well as principal authorities, deliver training for officers and members of town and parish councils.

The aim of the partnership is to enhance and support the performance of local councils so they might offer the highest standard of service to their communities.

Training can be provided by any or all of the partners and some may be open to other groups or individuals as well as to local councils.

The lead partner of the Wiltshire & Swindon Training Partnership is the Wiltshire Association of Local Councils (WALC).

Also to emerge from the strategy is the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA). This qualification is awarded to parish clerks who successfully compile a portfolio of evidence, proving their ability and thus fulfilling one of the criteria for the Quality Parish and Town Council initiative.

For more information on CiLCA visit the training page of the WALC website and for information on Quality Status visit the Quality Page of the WALC website.

For information on any aspect of training for Town and Parish Councils, please contact kfielding@communityfirst.org.uk