CPALC

The Berkshire Association of Local Councils (BALC) is a membership organisation. Its purpose is to support and advise town and parish councils in Berkshire. BALC is one of 38 county associations in England affiliated to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC). BALC is currently exclusively funded by its membership. Seventy nine councils out of a possible 104 in Berkshire are members.

Being a member of BALC includes membership of your district association (if there is one) and access to the services and expertise of NALC. BALC offers training through the County Training Partnership, a partnership between BALC, the Society for Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and CCB.

This training is specifically designed to meet the needs of town and parish councils and includes training for new councillors, chairmanship skills, finance, planning and a variety of other topics. Unitary authorities also offer some training, usually on the Code of Conduct relating to the ethical requirements of the Standards Board.