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Assertion 10 for Councils - A Simple Guide for Parish and Town Councils

Assertion 10 for Parish Councils: A Simple Guide
Assertion 10 for Parish Councils: A Simple Guide 1366 768 Small Business IT Solutions

Our Assertion 10 for Parish Councils: A Simple Guide helps to explain the new digital and data compliance requirements introduced in the

2025–26 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR).

This new assertion clarifies how parish and town councils should manage email, domains, websites, accessibility, personal data and IT policies. While some of these responsibilities already existed within other governance requirements, Assertion 10 now brings them together clearly as part of the annual governance statement.

Understanding Assertion 10 for parish councils will help councils ensure they have the appropriate systems, policies and procedures in place before approving the AGAR governance statement.

Assertion 10 – Digital and Data Compliance

From the 2025–26 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), parish and town councils will see a new requirement called Assertion 10 – Digital and Data Compliance.

This new assertion clarifies how councils should manage email, domains, websites, accessibility, personal data and IT policies. While some of these responsibilities already existed under other governance requirements, Assertion 10 brings them together clearly within the AGAR governance statement.

The Full Text of Assertion 10 – Digital and Data Compliance

According to the AGAR guidance, to warrant a positive response to this assertion the authority must have taken the following actions.

Email management

Every authority must have a generic email account hosted on an authority-owned domain, for example:

  • clerk@abcparishcouncil.gov.uk
  • clerk@abcparishcouncil.org.uk

Authorities should avoid using personal email services such as:

  • abcparishclerk@gmail.com
  • abcparishclerk@outlook.com

Using a domain-based email system ensures that council communications remain under the authority’s control.

Website accessibility

All smaller authorities (excluding parish meetings) must meet legal accessibility requirements for their websites.

Council websites must comply with:

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA
  • Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018

These requirements apply regardless of which domain the website uses.

Publication of council information

Council websites must publish documentation required under:

  • the Freedom of Information Act 2000
  • the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities (where applicable)

This ensures residents can access key information about the council.

Publication of council information

Council websites must publish documentation required under:

  • the Freedom of Information Act 2000
  • the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities (where applicable)

This ensures residents can access key information about the council.

IT policy requirement

All smaller authorities (excluding parish meetings) must have an IT policy.

An IT policy explains how clerks, councillors and staff should conduct authority business securely when using IT equipment and software.

The policy should cover both:

  • authority-owned equipment
  • personal devices used for council business

Assertion 10 Is Not Just About Websites and Email

Although many councils first notice Assertion 10 because of the requirements around domains, email and accessible websites, the assertion covers broader digital governance responsibilities.

In practice, Assertion 10 for parish councils is about ensuring that digital systems and data are managed properly.

This includes:

  • official council domains and email accounts
  • accessible council websites
  • publication of public documents
  • protection of personal data
  • secure use of IT systems
  • clear IT policies and procedures

The aim is to ensure that councils manage digital systems in a way that supports transparency, security and good governance.

Preparing for Assertion 10?

Understanding Assertion 10 for parish councils can feel complicated, particularly when it covers areas such as domains, email systems, website accessibility, data protection and IT policies.

At Hightrees Organisation, we understand the technology side of things. You understand how your council works and what your community needs.

By working together we can help make sure your council has the right systems and policies in place to support Assertion 10, without making things unnecessarily complicated.

This might include:

  • setting up or managing a .gov.uk domain
  • providing secure council email accounts
  • ensuring your website meets accessibility requirements
  • helping develop a practical council IT policy
  • providing reliable hosting and support

We know IT. You know your council. Together we can make sure everything works the way it should.

 

HIghtrees Logo for Social Network sharing

What We’ve Been Working on at Hightrees
What We’ve Been Working on at Hightrees 1640 924 Small Business IT Solutions

While our blog may have been a little quiet, behind the scenes we’ve been helping small organisations, clubs and councils with reliable IT support for small organisations, including website hosting, email systems and Microsoft 365 services.

Supporting Small Organisations with Reliable Hosting

Many organisations still rely on their website as the main place people go to find information. Social media can help with promotion, but posts are not always seen by everyone and older content quickly disappears from view.

A website remains the one place where your organisation controls the content and where visitors can always find accurate information.

At Hightrees we continue to provide reliable website hosting and support, ensuring websites stay secure, fast and available when people need them.

  • We keep our approach straightforward:
  • No confusing packages
  • No gimmick introductory pricing
  • Simple rolling 30-day contracts
  • Annual payment options available

This keeps things predictable and avoids unpleasant surprises later on.

Helping Organisations Move to Microsoft 365

Email and document management are critical for any organisation. Over the past couple of years we have helped a number of organisations move to Microsoft 365, giving them access to modern tools such as:

  • Professional email with their own domain
  • Secure file storage
  • Shared calendars
  • Online collaboration
  • Microsoft Teams for meetings and communication

For small organisations this can make a big difference, allowing staff and volunteers to work together more easily while keeping information secure and organised.

Working with Parish and Town Councils

Another area we have been supporting is local parish and town councils.

Councils increasingly need to meet requirements around:

  • Website accessibility
  • Data protection
  • Secure document storage
  • Email management
  • Transparency requirements

We help councils set up systems that are simple to manage while still meeting the necessary standards. This includes website hosting, Microsoft 365 configuration, and general IT advice.

.gov.uk Domain Registration

We now also assist parish and town councils with .gov.uk domain registration at an affordable cost.

A .gov.uk domain helps establish trust and ensures that residents can easily identify official council websites and email addresses.

We can guide councils through the registration process and provide hosting and email services to support the domain once it is approved.

Keeping Things Simple

One of the core ideas behind Hightrees is keeping IT straightforward.

Small organisations should not need complex contracts or expensive enterprise solutions just to run their website, email or phone system.

Our aim is to provide:

  • Clear pricing
  • Practical solutions
  • Friendly support
  • Services that grow with your organisation

Looking Ahead

We plan to share more updates and helpful information on this blog over the coming months, including topics such as:

  • Assertion 10 and your council IT
  • Why small organisations still need a website
  • Understanding website accessibility requirements
  • Choosing the right email system for your organisation
  • Avoiding common IT problems

If you would like help with website hosting, email services, or IT support for your organisation, feel free to get in touch.

website content - why you should update your website regularly

Why you need to update your website content
Why you need to update your website content 1366 768 Small Business IT Solutions

In today’s digital age, a website is an essential tool for any business. A well-designed website can help you reach a wider audience, promote your products or services, and build trust with your customers. However, a website is only as good as its content. If your website content is outdated or irrelevant, it will quickly lose its appeal to visitors.

That’s why it’s important to regularly update your website content. By keeping your content fresh and relevant, you can attract new visitors, improve your website’s ranking in search engines, and build a loyal following of customers.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of regularly updating your website content and provide some tips for doing so effectively.

Why it is important to regularly update your website content:

  • To keep your website fresh and relevant. Visitors are more likely to return to a website that is regularly updated with new content. This is because they know they will find something new and interesting each time they visit.
  • To improve your website’s ranking in search engines. Search engines like Google and Bing rank websites based on a number of factors, including the frequency of updates. Websites that are regularly updated with new content are more likely to rank higher in search results.
  • To build trust and credibility with your visitors. Visitors are more likely to trust a website that is regularly updated with new content. This is because they know the website is being maintained and that the information is up-to-date.
  • To generate leads and sales. Regularly updated content can help you generate leads and sales. This is because you can use your content to promote your products or services.
  • To stay ahead of the competition. If you are not updating your website content regularly, your competitors are likely to be. This means that you will be losing ground to them in terms of visibility and credibility.

How can I update my website with new content ?

Here are some examples of how your business can regularly update or add website content, especially useful if your main website content doesn’t change that often.

  • Blog posts. Blog or news posts are a great way to share new information with your website visitors. You can write about anything that is relevant to your business, such as industry news, product updates, or customer testimonials.  This allows you to utilise keywords that are potentially outside of your core business but that are still relevant.
  • Videos. Videos are a great way to engage your website visitors and show them what your business is all about. You can use videos to explain your products or services, introduce your team members, or show off your products or services in action.
  • Infographics. Infographics are a great way to present data in a visually appealing way. You can use infographics to share statistics, trends, or other data that is relevant to your business.
  • Social media posts. Social media is a great way to share your latest content with your followers. You can share blog posts, videos, infographics, or even just short updates about what is going on at your business.
  • Press releases. Press releases are a great way to share news about your business with the media. You can use press releases to announce new products or services, new hires, or even just to share your thoughts on industry news.

By regularly updating your website content, you can improve your website’s ranking in search engines, build trust with your visitors, and generate leads and sales.

The frequency with which you should update your website depends on a number of factors, including the type of website you have, the industry you are in, and your target audience. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should aim to update your website at least once a week.

If you have a website that is primarily used to share information, such as a news website or a blog, then you may need to update your website more frequently. On the other hand, if you have a website that is primarily used to sell products or services, then you may be able to get away with updating your website less frequently.

Ultimately, the frequency with which you should update your website should be based on what you need to do to keep your website fresh and relevant, and to keep your visitors coming back.

How often should you update your website ?

Here are some handy tips for updating your website regularly:

  • Create a content calendar. A content calendar will help you plan out what content you need to create and when you need to create it. This will help you stay on track and avoid missing any important updates.
  • Set aside time each week to update your website. Even if you can only spend 30 minutes each week updating your website, it will make a big difference.
  • Make sure your content is relevant and engaging. Your website visitors want to see content that is interesting and relevant to them. Make sure your content is up-to-date and provides value to your visitors.
  • Promote your new content. Once you have created new content, make sure you promote it on your social media channels, in your email newsletter, and on other relevant websites. This will help you get the most out of your new content.

As you can see, regularly updating your website content is essential for success in today’s digital age. By keeping your content fresh and relevant, you can attract new visitors, improve your website’s ranking in search engines, and build a loyal following of customers. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure that your website content is always up-to-date and engaging.

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From April 1st, 2023, Microsoft’s Cloud product prices in the UK will increase by 9%. Future pricing updates will be based on exchange rate changes at the time.

Microsoft changes: New Pricing updates from April 2023
Microsoft changes: New Pricing updates from April 2023 1366 768 Small Business IT Solutions

More changes from Microsoft: New Pricing updates from April 2023

Microsoft has recently announced that starting in April 2023, there will be semi-annual pricing updates to account for exchange rate variances. read more

How to get a work-life balance as a small business owner.

Why is work-life balance important if you run a small business?
Why is work-life balance important if you run a small business? 1366 768 Small Business IT Solutions

Owning a small business is a big undertaking that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It can be very rewarding, but it is important to get the work-life balance right so that the business is manageable and you have the time to enjoy your life outside work.
 read more

Google Analytics - Time to upgrade to GA4

Upgrading to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) on your website
Upgrading to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) on your website 1366 768 Small Business IT Solutions

Google Analytics 4 (also known as GA4) is the latest version of Google Analytics and is replacing Universal Analytics in July 2023.
If you have logged into your Google Analytics account you will have noticed the ‘nag’ banner if you haven’t already upgraded to GA4. read more

What is Website Consent Management image

Consent Management – its not as complex as it sounds.
Consent Management – its not as complex as it sounds. 940 788 Small Business IT Solutions

Why your website needs Consent Management.

Your website should allow your users to control the type of data being transferred to third parties.
Third-party sites are the likes of Google, Twitter, Facebook and other services, i.e advertising, that are used on your website.
Consent management allows the website visitor to opt-in or opt-out of the services you use on your website. read more

Free Cloud VoIP Trial Account

Get your free Cloud VoIP Phone system now
Get your free Cloud VoIP Phone system now 940 788 Small Business IT Solutions

Fancy a no-cost, no-risk trial to try out our Cloud VoIP system?

Here’s what you can expect when you sign up for our free 14 day VoIP trial.

Not signed up? Head over to our VoIP Portal to get your free VoIP trial account.

What does my business get in the VoIP Trial?

Once you’ve confirmed your account details, your free VoIP trial account will be ready to use – no payment details required.

  • You get a free phone number (for the duration of the trial) which can be used with our VoIP apps or linked with a SIP user from your dashboard for use with a VoIP desk phone.
  • You get three SIP users, each with their own extension, for internal calling. Each user can be assigned to a separate device and all three users can be linked to your free VoIP phone number for incoming calls by creating a new call route.
  • A call route will already be setup to get you started, as well as the first SIP user in your account. When someone calls your trial account’s number, this call route will direct the call to the device linked to your first SIP user. If there’s no answer, it will be sent through to your voicemail mailbox (also configurable within your account). This call route can be edited to fit your call handling preferences and can be as complex or as simple as you like.
  • You can create as many call routes as you like and assign them to your three users either singly or by combining your users into a hunt group, i.e a group of users that can be treated as a “single object” from within your dashboard.

What you can’t do with the VoIP Free Trial

During your trial, you’ll notice some of the VoIP features such as integrations, cloud storage and unlimited call recording are not available.

  • You won’t be able to add any more users to your trial account or any new phone numbers without upgrading to a full plan.
  • The other restriction is the number of minutes for outbound calls you’ll be able to make. You’re limited to five minutes per day of outbound calling on a trial account (this restriction obviously doesn’t exisit on our normal VoIP plans!)

We’d recommend spending time with your free trial to explore the Cloud VoIP platform. You may be surprised as to how powerful a phone system you’ll be able to create for your business with a small configuration.

If at any time you need help with your trial of the Cloud VoIP System, or would like a particular feature or section of the platform explained to you in detail, please get in touch.

Get your Free VoIP Account now

 

Microsoft NCE - What is it

What you need to know about Microsoft NCE
What you need to know about Microsoft NCE 1366 768 Small Business IT Solutions

What is NCE ?

The New Commerce Experience (NCE) is the latest pricing model for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform subscriptions.

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BT Telecoms Switch Off

What is the 2025 Switch Off?
What is the 2025 Switch Off? 1366 768 Small Business IT Solutions

BT Openreach is stopping, or “switching off” the PSTN and ISDN service in December 2025.

This doesn’t just mean they won’t sell these services anymore. BT Openreach will stop selling ISDN at what’s known as the Stop Sell date at the end of 2023.

Calls will be routed over broadband using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, rather than using “traditional” phone lines.

BT Openreach has already started switching its customers. This began in December 2020 and will continue at various trial sites across the country.

By 2026, then, every UK phone line will be digital.

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