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A number of members have asked whether we will be saying anything in respect of the current crisis in Ukraine. The intention of the NALC (on behalf of the entire parish sector) is to sign up to the LGA supported statement from the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) condemning the multiple attacks and violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. It is open to signature by any Councillor. The LGA stands in support and solidarity with peers in Ukraine. You can read their statement here. We will circulate further details over the next few days. There are also donation pages that you can contribute to for the refugees. You can do so here and here.

We have taken a feather out of Frome Town Council's cap. Like many, we have been touched by the plight of the Ukrainian people. Essex's towns and parishes are twinned with European towns and our sister cities are going to be playing an ever-increasing role in the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

We urge all our councils to get in touch with their twinned towns and find out how our communities can help. An effective way to help is to raise funds. It costs £10 per day to shelter one refugee and £20 per day if you include food. Many of our twin towns will be on the frontline in Poland and other neighbouring countries, with a likely impact on Western European countries in the near future. Let's get this on the agenda.

We will provide details early next week on the powers councils can use to raise funds. Those with the General Power of Competence can start fundraising immediately. Use your social media channels, mailing lists, newsletters and websites and let's make Essex's appeal count.

• £10 will accommodate 1 person for a day
• £20 will provide food clothes and accommodation
• £140 will provide everything that a person needs for a week

To answer some of the questions about the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Essex County Council has produced the following pages on their website:

• Welcome to Essex: packs for sponsors
• Information for sponsors welcoming a Ukrainian person or family

General information and updates about what you can do to help are also available on the county council website here. Further information on how you can get involved, donate and show your support is available on the Essex is United for Ukraine Facebook page here. Businesses wishing to help can find resources on the Essex Chambers of Commerce website here.

​Some of the above comes to us courtesy of the Gloucestershire Association of Parish & Town Councils.

---Ride London: Essex---

Essex will play host to 25,000 cyclists on Sunday 29^th May as the world’s largest festival of cycling comes to the county for the first time. Full details of the routes have now been announced, along with the promise of new funding for Essex organisations to inspire activity in their local communities. In total, there will be 65 miles of Essex roads used in the event routes. Please be aware that this will involve road closures for the duration of the day, staggered across a three-day rolling window around the county (27th - 29th May), so plan ahead and advise local businesses and residents of this information. You can see route details, details about a new fund for communities and councils wishing to celebrate the event and information broadly about the event on our RideLondon: Essex webpage here.

---NJC Pay Award---

The National Association of Local Councils has published a new employment briefing on the national salary award for Clerks and other employees employed under the terms of the model contract. The NALC has been informed that the National Joint Council for Local Government Services has agreed on the new rates of pay from 1^st  April 2021. They state: “Pay Agreement has been reached on rates of pay applicable from 1 April 2021.” Employers are encouraged to implement this pay award as swiftly as possible. Please see the new pay scales attached here. For more details please visit the NALC website here.

---Bespoke Climate Webpage---

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new climate webpage. It provides details about our strategy for engaging parish and town councils with the issue in order to combat the climate crisis at the local level. It also gives information about the activities and research of the Essex Climate Action Commission and acts as a directory for resources from organisations such as the NALC in respect of their work on the issue of climate. To see our newly designed bespoke webpage on 'Climate in Essex' please click the button below.