Our services…
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About Us
LGRC was set up in 2014 by a team of very experienced local councils sector specialists who are passionate about how Town, Parish and Community councils can manage their affairs and deliver community services to the highest standards within generally tight budgets and economic constraints.
Our vision is to provide support to local councils, working in partnership with established sector bodies such as the SLCC, NALC, and the CALCs, to achieve excellence in all aspects of internal management and the delivery of a full (and expanding) range of council services.
Professionalism & Integrity
Fair Dealing & Responsive
Commitment to Quality and Excellence
Flexibility & Value for Money
Testimonials
Just ask and we will supply a list of recent assignments
Samantha Haywood has supported us for the past 18 months, and Sam’s support, guidance and honesty has been invaluable.
As a newly appointed Chief Officer, Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, and not from a clerking background, I was keen to carry out a full financial review including processes, governance, procurement etc, and commissioned the services of LGRC Associates Ltd, and Sam joined the team.
The Town Council have a clear vision of changes they wanted to see, which has included new technology, and ensuring we get the best out of existing systems, including RBS, SAGE Payroll etc, and Sam’s knowledge and experience has really helped drive this forward.
Sam quickly got the business-as-usual activities under control, ensuring we were quickly following the Financial Regulations and our Scheme of Delegation. In addition, as part of the financial review, Sam has identified areas of improvements to ensure we follow due process and get value for money, reviewing all bank accounts, utility providers, expense process, financial policies etc – and has helped limit the risk to the organisation.
Each month Sam reported on findings, and created a comprehensive action log, which we reviewed and agreed on to take forward, some of which were quick wins and other items have taken longer to implement, taking decisions to Council, process changes, and training of staff.
Sam is incredibly hard working and flexible, being onsite when needed, and ensures that agenda item and supporting documents are prepared well in advance of a Council or committee meeting.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Sam, and appreciate her help and support especially as we have gone through some difficult, but worthwhile, changes, and are emerging as a stronger and robust Council, focused on delivering for our residents – this journey would not have been possible without the support of LGRC Associates Ltd, and Sam!
Mark Hopkins
Chief Officer/Clerk/RFO
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council
October 2024
When our RFO informed us that she had accepted a new position as the CEO with a different Council, we were equally delighted at her success and horrified at the prospect of how we would manage without her.
At this point, the anxiety and stress of worrying how you will cope managing your own job as well making sure at least the bare minimum is done to keep the finances in order is immense.
Finding the right person to support me through this was an imperative, so I had no hesitation whatsoever in contacting LGRC for help. There was one person I wanted. Having known Louise for a number of years I was confident her skills, knowledge and expertise were what was needed and I haven’t been disappointed. Not only has Louise expertly stepped in as our RFO, she has brough invaluable insight in supporting us through the challenges of recruiting a permanent replacement.
I cannot thank Louise enough for the way she has provided me with support and reassurance and if there is one piece of advise I can give to any other Clerk or Chairman who unexpectedly finds themselves needing expert support, do not delay, hesitate or dither, pick up the phone and get the help you need in place as quickly as possible, the cost of not doing so will be much much higher if you don’t.
Andy Jeffrey
Town Clerk
Godalming Town Council
November 2024
Meet the Team
Steve Milton
Company Chairman, Partner
Steve is a Fellow of the SLCC and an Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute. He has over 35 years local government service in various senior executive and managerial roles including 10 years as Head of Community Governance at Wiltshire Council. He holds the CiLCAqualification
Steve specialises in community engagement and governance and in 2011 acted as an advisor to the Coalition Government on the implementation of the Localism Act.
Steve has served as a Town Councillor and is currently Clerk to a Parish Council in Wiltshire.
Nick Randle
Company Director, Partner
Nick was Chief Executive of the Society of Local Council Clerks for 13 years from 2000-2013, prior to which he was Town Clerk at Chard Town Council, Somerset, from 1993-2000. He is CiLCa qualified.During this time he was also lead trainer providing new clerks training for South West Provincial Employers. His early career was working in a number of professional and management positions for IBM in the IT industry and later as as Head of External Affairs at the National Rivers Authority.
He was European Board Director for the International Institute of Municipal Clerks between 2008 and 2012. He has served as a Parish Councillor, Council Chairman and Chairman of his Parish’s Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee. He was awarded an OBE for services to Local Government in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours List.
Nick was one of three founder directors of LGRC in 2014 and since then he has been personally involved in undertaking assignment work for dozens of Local Councils.
David McKnight
Company CEO, Partner
David is a qualified Agricultural Chemist and has a solid background in consultancy and business management, having been Commercial and Business Team Manager for ‘Visit County Durham’ and Chief Executive of the HMS Trincomalee Trust.
He is a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and has also been a principal consultant for DLM Management Consultants. David’s connection with the Local Council sector was established during a period as Economic Development Manager for a large Town Council in Wiltshire.
Louise Steele
Vice Chairman, FD, Partner
Louise is a former Town Clerk and RFO to a Town Council in Surrey, where she worked for 12 years. She is a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and has experience as an HMI of Magistrates Courts. She is CiLCA qualified
Louise has expertise in strategy and business planning, undertaking organisational reviews and financial matters. She has successfully worked on varied projects and Locum assignments for LGRC over several years.
Karen Crowhurst
Main Board Director, Partner
Karen is a CiLCA qualified and highly experienced local council clerk and RFO of over 15 years’ experience, having held the CiLCA qualification for over 10 years. She has also achieved the section 7 General Power of Competence.
She is a clear strategic thinker, an experienced developer of forward plans and developer of policy, a talented operations manager and an expert in people skills, team building and conflict resolution.As well as managing all aspects of council meetings and advising councillors, Karen has expertise in line management of staff, HR, staffing reviews, structural reviews, budget setting and monitoring, applications for funding, CIL funds management, event organisation, undertaking risk assessments, cemetery management, tendering, management of contractors. Karen also has an understanding of high street retail operations from earlier in her career.
Sam Haywood
Chairman of EOT, Partner
Samantha is an experienced HR and Finance Manager, having worked in the private sector in both capacities for over 25 years. She holds qualifications from the Association of Accounting Technicians, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and CIPD.
Samantha has worked as a Parish Clerk and RFO for over 20 years and as a Burial Officer since 2018. She specialises in all areas of HR, finance, social media, and administration, and has acted as an Employee Support officer with the ALCC since 2017. She has the CiLCA qualification.
Bethan Osborne
HR & Employment Law Consultant, Partner
Bethan is a a strategic Human Resources specialist with an accomplished track record of advising on HR issues in SMEs, Public Sector, Global Corporate Finance, Trade Union and Further Education organisations with staff in UK, EU and US.
She provides thought leadership to organisations influencing the development of appropriate People Strategies and legally compliant People Policies, planning and delivering interventions for improved performance and enhanced employee engagement and manages the whole employee lifecycle.
She is a collaborative team player operating with executive board members and shareholders as well as staff on the shopfloor. Bethan manages multiple complex Employee Relations caseloads to mutually acceptable outcomes, balancing legal risks with pragmatic solutions. She is a confident communicator and trainer in management and HR topics.
TUPE experience
Chartered Member CIPD
ACAS Accredited Workplace Mediator
British Psychological Society Level A and B psychometric test accreditation
Judicially appointed Lay member to Employment Tribunal
Sam Shippen
Partner
Sam Shippen has been involved with parish & town councils since January 1998 as a clerk in permanent and locum roles, having previously held several posts in Durham County Council for thirteen years. She has also provided other services to local councils including service, staffing and structural reviews, training and clerking a single meeting.
Her long association with the SLCC includes having been the founding Branch Secretary for County Durham & Cleveland Branch, representing the branch on the National Executive 2002/2010, NEC Vice Chairman 2006/07 and Chairman 2007/10, Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Local Council Management 2006/2014 and External Affairs Officer 2010/14. She has represented the SLCC on various national committees and been involved in the development of legislation with the Department of Communities and Local Government on behalf of the SLCC.
Sam has been a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute (formerly the ICSA) since 2006, having qualified as a chartered secretary in 1994. She is also holds a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Dianne Rickaby
Partner
Dianne is a highly experienced CiLCA-qualified Clerk, RFO, and proven senior manager with long-established specialisms in HR and finance management in local government. She holds a Business Management Degree from the Institute of Management and the Community Governance Degree from the University of Gloucestershire.
Dianne has a wealth of knowledge and her diverse skillset includes strong leadership skills and expertise in financial management. As a Clerk/RFO, she has a proven track record of working with internal and external stakeholders, and communicating effectively at all levels within an organisation. With a strong customer focus and effective relationship management abilities within all sectors, she consistently achieves desired objectives, often with stringent deadlines, through her ability to effectively prioritise workloads.
A committed advocate of delivering results through people, Dianne supports continuous personal and professional development with a passion for supporting others through growth opportunities.
Louise Harrison
Partner
Louise has a Foundation Degree in Community Governance which she passed in January 2022 with a distinction. She completed her Certificate in Higher Education in Community Governance with the SLCC and De Montfort University in January 2020 and her CiLCA in 2014. Louise also has a degree in BA (Hons) Degree Public Administration (2(i), 1989).
She has has worked in local government including as Town/Parish Council Clerk, for the last 8 years. Previous to this she worked for a police service for 20 years, working her way up from a civilian role to detective sergeant supervising the investigation of crimes and managing a team of over 20 officers and staff.
She has been a town/parish clerk and RFO in Dorset and Hertfordshire for 6 years . She has experience of reviewing and implementing governance processes and strategic plans, day to day operational management of parish and town council services and facilities while delivering performance and managing various successful projects in time and within budget.
Lee Jakeman
Partner
A versatile Leader with a proven record of success delivered within wide ranging and demanding environments obtained during 23 years military service in the Royal Air Force and subsequent careers in outsourcing and 15 years in local government. Lee has extensive experience in leading change management, policy development, team building, stakeholder engagement, budgetary and financial management and the organization of workforces, with excellent problem-solving abilities and a reputation for delivering results.
Lee has been a Town Clerk and Chief Executive Officer with 3 large Town Councils, since 2008, with operating budgets of between £500k and £2m. He has a wealth of local council experience delivering a wide range of council services including parks, public toilets, Christmas lighting, cemeteries, street lighting, CCTV, community halls and markets.
Lee has overseen the transfer of assets from unitary and district authorities and prepared new policies in relation to new and updated legislation, along with routine governance matters including elections, end of year counts, budget setting, risk management, contract awarding and monitoring.
Lee also has charity management experience where councils are the Sole Trustee. Furthermore, he has initiated community governance reviews, delivered a neighbourhood plan, a community led town plan and has significant experience in submitting responses to planning applications.
Lee is experienced in the delivery of large-scale multi-agency events including the Olympic Torch relay in 2012 and the Commonwealth baton in 2022 along with town carnivals and Christmas light switch-on events.
An excellent team leader who holds the CiLCA qualification, Lee has, before being a town clerk, a background in HR, facilities management, management accounting and stakeholder engagement.
Katie Jeffreys
Partner
BA Marketing, CIPFA, CiLCA, MAAT, CIMA Dip MA
Katie’s background is primarily in accounting and office management in both the private and public sectors. She has accounting qualifications and experience in using various programs including those in common use in local councils. In addition to this, she holds a marketing degree which included Management and Business Strategy.
She was a member of the Banking and Treasury Team at BUPA Care Services and Office and Financial Manager for Presentation Products and Patlock Ltd before working in the public sector, firstly as Parish Council Clerk/RFO and later as Town Council Chief Executive.
As a locum, she has worked as a Town Council Clerk, for LGRC as a project manager at Dartmouth Town Council and an accountant at Bicester Town Council.
She is an ambitious and driven individual; very organised and efficient, and always strives to deliver the very best results for clients.
Ron Spurs
Partner
Ron is a highly skilled and motivated CiLCA qualified Town Clerk and RFO with a successful track record of managing a Town Council by focusing on delivering the Council’s objectives within the regulatory framework governing the authority. As a Town Clerk/RFO, he has:
• Delivered complex projects – e.g. new Skate Park – as a PRINCE II® Practitioner
• Successfully managed agendas, meetings, minutes, regulatory requirements and policies
• Managed HR for Council team
• Managed the preparation of complex legal cases where the Council was the defendant and claimant
• Managed Council property estate
• Provided training for Councillors and staff
• Organised events with up to 5,000 attendees
• Prepared and worked with internal auditors – IA reports with no significant observations
As well as experience as a Town Clerk, Ron’s background includes management roles within a District Council, a financial services market leader and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), where he held the rank of Senior Police Officer.
Ron has a clear understanding of strategy, strategic analysis, planning, management science and managing resources in the public sector and possesses a record of demonstrating these disciplines in the workplace. Additionally, he is qualified in Business Continuity, Risk Management, Project Management and Leadership in the Public Sector (MBA Level).
Ron is a very able communicator who has the skills to work in diverse organisations and possesses exceptional leadership skills and as a mentor. He is a qualified and experienced investigator.
Ashley Gray
Partner
Ashley is an highly experienced, AAT-qualified and confident Financial Manager with over 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors. She is proficient in an array of accountancy software including Xero, Dext, Sage, Opera, Quickbooks and various Payroll software.
Ashley combines her extensive experience of management accountancy, VAT, payroll, budgeting, bank reconciliations and year end audit with account management, combined with website maintenance, sales and marketing skills.
She is a consistent and accurate problem solver who loves working within challenging financial environments.
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Contact us…
Phone
01404 45973
Email Address
info@lgrc.uk
Office Addresses
Main Office: 2440/2430 The Quadrant, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4AQ. Northern Office: The Stables, Rose Cottage, Hackforth, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL81NU. South West Office: Four Elms Cottage Yarcombe, Honiton, Ex14 9AU