About Us
Who we are
The Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils (Northants CALC) is a membership organisation representing the parish and town councils of Northamptonshire, England.
The organisation started in 1947 when local government reforms began after WWII. For over seventy years Northants CALC has provided legal and technical advisory services to member councils with the backing of the National Association of Local Councils (https://www.nalc.gov.uk/) based in London.
More than 98% of the 220 parish and town councils in Northamptonshire are in membership. The members range from the smallest of parish councils with just a few hundred electors to the largest town councils with tens of thousands of electors.
The Association provides training and offers courses on such varied subjects as chairmanship skills, council procedures and accounting and budgeting. It also offers the formal qualification for clerks, the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA).
Councils in Northamptonshire can benefit from the Internal Audit Service operated by Northants CALC. It is a legal requirement for all parish and town councils to appoint an internal auditor and it makes sense to take advantage of the attractive rates for internal audit offered to members. The auditors are all experienced clerks in Northamptonshire and their knowledge and expertise can be invaluable to other councils. Some councils still use accountants or bank managers, or even just someone from their own village, but legislation moves forward at such a rapid pace that it is difficult for these people to keep up. The Northants CALC internal auditors meet regularly to stay up to date and share experiences and examples of best practice with each other.
Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils
PO Box 7936
Brackley
NN13 9BY
01327 831482
Northants CALC Limited is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7335699.
Funding
Northants CALC is a company limited by guarantee. It is a not for profit membership association and is not a public sector body. Northants CALC is funded by member council subscription, training fees and contract funding from Northamptonshire Council Council.
Membership
Over 95% of parish councils in Northamptonshire are in membership of the Association. This means that their voice is heard on local issues and at national level. Local councils join the Association to avail themselves of the support available to them in these changing times for local government.
Northants CALC has a positive working relationship with the Northamptonshire branch of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) via regular joint meetings.