Councillor Development

This course provides councillors, officers and employees an understanding for the need of internal controls and how they work, with practical examples and case studies.

There are currently no dates available for this course. Please check back again soon.

Implementing effective community engagement and building a sustainable approach to getting your messages across to the public.

There are currently no dates available for this course. Please check back again soon.

This course is designed to give councillors and clerks an understanding of what is involved in the development of a Neighbourhood Plan and associated documents such as Design Codes, with a view to enabling them to get started or review an existing plan.

There are currently no dates available for this course. Please check back again soon.

For parish and town councillors with less than one year’s experience.

New Councillor Essentials provides newly elected or co‑opted councillors with a clear, practical and supportive introduction to the role, responsibilities, and day‑to‑day workings of parish and town councils.

This course explores what brand identity means for parish and town councils, why it matters, and how to create a clear and consistent identity that reflects your council’s purpose and values. 

This session is for offficers that are involved in procuring goods and services, preparing tenders, or entering into contracts on behalf of local councils.

Canva is a versatile design tool that can be used for free. It allows you to quickly create posters, newsletters and other physical documents. You can also create images for social media and websites as well as videos.

This course is for clerks/RFOs, employees in finance and councillors. The course explains how VAT rules affect local councils, whether they are VAT registered or reclaim VAT using Form 126. It's particularly important for councils contemplating major building projects.

Please note: this course is Optional in the CDF but it should be considered Intermediate for councillors on Finance Committees.

It has never been more important for councillors to understand social media and this course is designed for those with and without experience.

In the session Breakthrough Communications will go through the confusing world of social media communications. You will learn where to focus your time and effort, the common pitfalls and difficult situations. Most importantly you'll learn how, as a councillor, to get the most from social media. 

A crisis could strike at any time and be anything from flooding to a meeting going viral.

There are many ways in which you could find yourself in the eye of the media storm. Brealthrough Communications will take participants through the detail of preparing for any crisis. Passing on expert tips and guidance on being prepared and the effective steps your council could take should the worst happen.