The Lancashire Association of Local Councils (LALC) represents Parish and Town Councils across Lancashire, Merseyside, and Greater Manchester. We provide training, advice, and guidance to support good governance and strong local democracy.
Your parish or town council is a local authority making decisions for your community. LALC is a membership organisation that supports those councils by providing training, advice on governance, finance, and legal matters, and by representing local councils at county, regional, and national level through NALC.
- Training for councillors and clerks (including tailored workshops)
- Legal and procedural advice (through affiliation with NALC)
- Representation at county and national level
- Model documents, templates, and toolkits
- Networking opportunities through conferences and area committees
NALC is the National Association of Local Councils. LALC is affiliated to NALC, meaning member councils benefit from both local and national support, including access to specialist advice, model policies, and policy updates.
We provide a sustainable training programme for councillors and clerks, delivered by experienced trainers. Courses cover finance, governance, Code of Conduct, chairing skills, and more. Many sessions are online, while others are delivered in person across Lancashire and Merseyside. Reduced rates are available for member councils.
Training sessions are listed on our website and advertised via our newsletter. Bookings can be made by contacting training@lalc.org.uk
If any non-member council books training at the reduced member rate, they will be invoiced for the difference and remain liable for the shortfall.
LALC has Area Committees that bring together groups of parish and town councils. These committees elect representatives to the LALC Executive Committee, provide a forum for local networking and collaboration, and ensure that issues from across Lancashire and Merseyside are heard at county and national level.
We are funded through membership subscriptions, training fees, and some project income. Part of your membership fee also covers the subscription to NALC.
Membership is open to all Parish and Town Councils within Lancashire, Merseyside, and Greater Manchester. Councils can join by contacting office@lalc.org.uk for details.
Clerks or Chairs of member councils can contact the LALC office directly for guidance. Where specialist support is needed, we can escalate to NALC or refer to legal advisors.
Yes. We provide resources such as standing orders, financial regulations, Code of Conduct templates, complaints procedures, and example job descriptions.
Membership gives councils access to affordable training, professional advice, representation at county and national level, networking opportunities, and support to improve governance and community leadership.