Please find details of the new bursary scheme for clerks to smaller councils which will be in operation as from Monday June 1st. As you can see we are moving to an electronic payment system which we hope will streamline the administration process. The full criteria for the revised scheme can be found within the below training briefing and application form.

National Training Strategy (NTS), clerk’s bursary scheme 2009

The bursary scheme for clerks to smaller councils has been in operation since 2004 with over £154,000 in funds granted to 1140 clerks. Initially funded by the Countryside Agency but more recently by CLG the scheme closed due to exhaustion of funds in August 2008.

The exciting news is, that through new funding from the Department for Food and Rural Affairs and the Commission for Rural Communities, NALC in partnership with NTS stakeholders are able to re-launch the scheme on Monday June 1st.

The core principles and structure of the scheme remain although the criteria has been revised as follows:

· The bursary is available to clerks and administrative assistants to councils with an annual turn over under £25,000

· The amount claimable will be 50% of the cost of training to a maximum of £100

· The grant can be used for events and training courses related to council work or business (confirmed by the Chairman's signature on the application)

· One application can be made per council per financial year

· Funds will be transferred via BACS payment directly to the council’s bank account.

· Confirmation of bursary approval will typically be issued within one week of the receipt of the application form; payment will be made within three weeks of approval

It is also hoped that these changes will encourage the take up and attendance of smaller events and courses which support the NTS Continuous Professional Development (CPD) scheme. It hopes to enable clerks to smaller councils to access a greater variety of events, courses and training which will develop their professional portfolio of skills.

Additional criteria are confirmed as:

· The event or training course may start on the date of application but must start/take place within 12 months of bursary confirmation

· The event or training course cannot be claimed for retrospectively

· Support with Working With Your Council (WWYC) will continue under the new scheme

· Support towards the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) registration fee can be claimed if the training is linked to courses or events that directly support its completion.

The scheme will be open from Monday June 1st. An application form can be obtained from the website. This can be completed electronically but must be sent by post due to the Chairman’s signature being required. Copies of the application form will be available shortly on both the NALC and SLCC websites www.nalc.gov.uk / www.slcc.co.uk

This briefing was issued by Neil Evans, Learning and Skills Manager, who can be contacted at: NALC via email at neil.evans@nalc.gov.uk or on direct line 020 7290 0319.