National Association of Councillors Northern Ireland- councillors pay, expenses, code of conduct - Jubilee Road Newtownards, Co. Down N.Ireland.

If you have any problem or query relating to your work as a councillor. If there is anything you think would make the job easier. If there is any help or support we could give you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

National Association of Councillors Northern Ireland Region Sketrick House Jubilee Road Newtownards BT23 4YH t: 028 9181 9413 e: office@nac-ni.org

INFORMATION

Councillors’ Allowances from March 2021 (Updated March 2022) HMRC tax guidance for local government Councillors NILGA Councillors’ Guide Councillors’ Code of Conduct Guidance on Councillors’ Code of Conduct NI Local Government Commissioner for Standards Information Leafle ts

At the NAC UK Conference in January 2019 a presentation was made on Phasing Out Single Use Plastics. You can view the presentation by clicking on adjacent image

Universal Credit Advice NI made a presentation and prepared a Case Study Document for the National Association of Councillors NI in October 2018. These documents cover many aspects of the scheme and highlight some of the problems that may be encountered by members of the public when making a claim. This information should be useful for councillors when assisting constituents, within their local communities, with preparing applications and dealing with queries relating to these.

Universal Credit Presentation for NAC NI October 2018 Universal Credit Case Study for NAC NI October 2018

Councillors that are registered as a Data Collectors may receive, or have already received, a reminder to pay a renewal fee as these are being sent out by the ICO automatically, how-ever this reminder can be ignored as fees paid will not be reimbursed by the ICO, if you have set up a direct debit to pay your fee you should cancel this. See details below taken from the website of the Information Commissioners Office, you can access this information by following the following link : https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-fee/

At the NAC 2019 Annual General Meeting our Guest Speaker, Andrea Winders of Disruptieve provided a dynamic presentation on the Regeneration of Towns and Villages and as an Urban Disruptor she shared her unique method for approaching failing areas, applying disruption, whether physical, digital or other, and provided details of a live project in the UK. Please click here to view presentation. Andrea is available for discussions or meetings with councils and she can be contacted by email at andrea.winders@disruptieve.com

COVID-19 INFORMATION - June 2020 See below links to articles received from the NAC UK that contain useful information for Councillors. Care Quality Commission COVID-19 Report NAC Equalities Bulletin 1 May 2020 NAC Equalities Bulletin 2 May 2020 NAC Equalities Update 1 June 2020

Avoid COVID-19 Scams – October 2020 For helpful information from NI Direct Government Services and Google on how to avoid becoming a victim of online scams, please click on the following links.

Coronavirus COVID-19 – December 2020 Links to websites with useful information and advice available in relation to COVID-19

t: 028 9181 9413 e: office@nac-ni.org

Handling Online Abuse Intimidation and abuse directed at councillors, particularly through social media, is a matter of concern for many of our members, therefore the NAC welcome the programme of work entitled ‘Civility in Public Life’ which is being carried out by the Local Government Association in co-ordination with WLGA, COSLA and NILGA. Further details of this programme with advice and tips for elected representatives can be viewed on the LGA website by clicking the image below or visiting: https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/guidance-and-resources/civility-public-life

Councillors Pension Scheme – September 2021 The NAC ran an Information Session on the Local Government Pension Scheme following their last Members’ Meeting on 15 September 2021. Ruth Benson from the NILGOSC delivered a presentation that was specifically designed for Councillors and covered the following: An overview of the Local Government Pension Scheme for Councillors An explanation of the Annual Statement Questions and Answers A copy of the NILGOSC presentation can be viewed by clicking here

Community Empowerment Presentation – February 2022 To view the presentation on Community Empowerment which was delivered at the NAC UK Conference in Glasgow on 25-27 February 2022, please click here.

If you have any problem or query relating to your work as a councillor, if there is anything you think would make the job easier, if there is any help or support we could give you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

National Association of Councillors Northern Ireland Region Sketrick House Jubilee Road Newtownards BT23 4YH

INFORMATION

At the NAC UK Conference in January 2019 a presentation was made on Phasing Out Single Use Plastics. You can view the presentation by clicking on above image

Universal Credit Presentation for NAC NI October 2018 Universal Credit Case Study for NAC NI October 2018

Councillors now exempt from paying GDPR Fees There has been a change in legislation in relation to the payment of Data Collection fees for Councillors. From 1st April 2019, Elected Members are exempt from paying an annual fee unless they operate from business premises that have a CCTV camera. Councillors that are registered as a Data Collectors may receive, or have already received, a reminder to pay a renewal fee as these are being sent out by the ICO automatically, how-ever this reminder can be ignored as fees paid will not be reimbursed by the ICO, if you have set up a direct debit to pay your fee you should cancel this. See details below taken from the website of the Information Commissioners Office, you can access this information by following the following link : https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-fee/

COVID-19 INFORMATION June 2020 See below links to articles received from the NAC UK that contain useful information for Councillors. Care Quality Commission COVID-19 Report NAC Equalities Bulletin 1 May 2020 NAC Equalities Bulletin 2 May 2020 NAC Equalities Update 1 June 2020

Avoid COVID-19 Scams October 2020 For helpful information from NI Direct Government Services and Google on how to avoid becoming a victim of online scams, please click on the following links.

Coronavirus COVID-19 December 2020 Links to websites with useful information and advice available in relation to COVID-19

t: 028 9181 9413 e: office@nac-ni.org

Handling Online Abuse Intimidation and abuse directed at councillors, particularly through social media, is a matter of concern for many of our members, therefore the NAC welcome the programme of work entitled ‘Civility in Public Life’ which is being carried out by the Local Government Association in co- ordination with WLGA, COSLA and NILGA. Further details of this programme with advice and tips for elected representatives can be viewed on the LGA website by clicking the image below or visiting: https://www.local.gov.uk/our- support/guidance-and-resources/civility- public-life

Councillors Pension Scheme September 2021 The NAC ran an Information Session on the Local Government Pension Scheme following their last Members’ Meeting on 15 September 2021. Ruth Benson from the NILGOSC delivered a presentation that was specifically designed for Councillors and covered the following: An overview of the Local Government Pension Scheme for Councillors An explanation of the Annual Statement Questions and Answers A copy of the NILGOSC presentation can be viewed by clicking here