One Voice Wales offer a series of joint conferences and thematic events throughout the calendar year. These are usually virtual/on-line events including webinars, meetings, advice and guidance, and sometimes training and consultations. We work closely with our strategic partners to offer the best opportunities for Community and Town Councils to participate in these events and to keep up-to-date with important changes to policies and legislation within the sector.

One Voice Wales and Planning Aid Wales
Joint Online Event

“Improving our Local Places – Welsh Case Studies and Planning Updates”

Date: 19 March 2026, 10:30am–1:30pm (Online: Teams)

£53 per person

We are delighted to announce that One Voice Wales and Planning Aid Wales have again teamed-up to provide Community and Town Councils with a joint event, enabling Councillors and Clerks to be at the forefront of current thinking in relation to the planning challenges and opportunities currently facing our communities and towns.

We are fortunate to welcome Penzance Town Council who will provide an insightful case study into their work on a Neighbourhood Plan for their community. We will also welcome Welsh case studies on their Place Planning approach.  These case studies will improve your understanding of how the planning system can create long lasting and effective regeneration opportunities with community support. 

We will also provide a range of useful planning updates including:

• Law updates (the forthcoming Planning (Wales) Bill and Infrastructure Wales Act 2024)
• Planning policy updates including advice on flooding and nutrient neutrality.
• Strategic planning updates – Strategic Development Plans in Wales and how they will impact your local area.

There will also be a session where we provide guidance to Community and Town Councils when faced with a major planning application in your community and how best to respond.

This will be a highly informative event for all with an interest in Planning, sustainability and addressing local issues.  There will be an opportunity for open discussion between all delegates and speakers. 

We really hope for a record level of attendance and we would both encourage every Council to take up at least one place on this remote event.

Click on the link below to book a place on the event:

Book Here

Previous Joint Events

SLCC & OVW Joint Event 2025

Managing a Changing Environment

Join us for an engaging virtual conference on Wednesday 12 November 2025, exclusively for clerks, local council employees and councillors in Wales, proudly hosted by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and One Voice Wales (OVW). With the timely theme ‘Managing a Changing Environment’, this event will explore how you can navigate evolving challenges in local governance.

Attendees will hear insights from Rob Smith, SLCC Chief Executive, and Lyn Cadwallader, OVW Chief Executive, as well as benefiting from practical training insights and expert-led sessions on employment, biodiversity and planning, including updates from Planning Aid Wales. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and strengthen your role in shaping resilient and sustainable communities.

Previous Joint Events

ONE VOICE WALES & SLCC JOINT EVENT: ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS IN ENGLAND & WALES
One Voice Wales and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) held a remote joint event on Wednesday 14 May 2025. This event was an especially important one for Councils given that it focused on the ethical frameworks in England and Wales covering the following subject areas:

• Gain insights into civility, respect, and ethical standards in local councils
• Hear from legal experts, policy leaders, and council representatives
• Understand the role of monitoring officers and standards committees
• Learn about the impact of poor ethical behaviour on democracy
• Engage in discussions on tackling bullying and harassment

Speakers included the office of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, Welsh Government, Monitoring Officers, One Voice Wales and the SLCC.

Testimonial

For me the strategic take-away was the way professional officers, through SLCC, and councils/councillors, through OVW, were able to come together with a common goal even if with different perspectives, and to design and deliver the day successfully. The agenda demonstrated the multi-faceted aspect of the subject of an ethical framework and the effects it has from/on staff, councillors, councils, and the public.

If there were two key learning take-aways for me, it was that failure to have and follow an ethical framework undermines democracy itself and that the ethical framework itself needs constant support and resources.
“Well done SLCC and OVW together. As we say in Wales “Together Stronger – Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae.

E J Humphreys
Town Clerk
Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council

Don’t forget to visit our on-line Calendar to see what we’ve got lined up for 2026!

Please get in touch if you would like to learn more about our joint working activities and events, email [email protected] or telephone the office on 01269 595400.