Clerk Development

Planning Enforcements and Appeals
What to do if you consider a bad / unlawful planning decision has been made.
Suitable for new to role councillors, refresher for existing and experienced councillors. Also beneficial for clerks and their teams where they have one.

New Clerk L&D support and networking event
An opportunity for new clerks, appointed in 2025, to come together, meet the DAPTC team and learn more about how we can support you in your role.

Data Protection - Data subject rights and information security (part 3)
In this session we consider how to deal with data subject rights requests, including Subject Access Requests (SARs).

Allotment Training | National Allotment Society
The National Allotment Society are your trainers and this event is being hosted by our colleagues at Somerset ALC. THIS COURSE IS OVER TWO DATES - Spaces limited to 30 book early.

VAT - Partial Exemption
For clerks, finance staff and councillors of councils that lease or hire out land and buildings such as village halls, community centres, meeting rooms, sports facilities or markets, who need to understand when their council is at risk of not being able to reclaim VAT.
Essential for any council contemplating major building projects, or incurring significant expenditure on running these facilities.

Dealing with difficult people and conversations
In this session, there will discussions about practical techniques for managing difficult conversations and situations.

Freedom of Information for local councils: obligations, procedures and exemptions
This course examines the obligations of local councils regarding Freedom of Information (FOI)

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

Internal Controls
This session gives councillors and officers an understanding of the need for internal controls and how they work, with practical examples and case studies.

Canva Part 2 - Advanced
Part 2 of Canva training shows how your Council can get more out of Canva, for instance, creating complex designs and a brand for your Council.

A Fresh Start event: DEVOLVING DORSET
Join us for a one-day conference for councillors and clerks inspired by the A Fresh Start report.

Data Protection & GDPR - Foundations & theory (part 1)
This introductory session walks councils through the theory and core principles of UK GDPR and other relevant legislation.

New Clerks' Finance (get second course free after you attend)
This introductory session is for inexperienced clerks, deputy/assistant clerks and finance officers in their first few months and is designed to give them an overview of a council's year, along with a basic understanding of the RFO's role.

How councils can engage effectively with young people
In this session we explore what we actually mean by the term ‘young people’, what issues matter to different groups of younger people and how to effectively reach and engage them, both online and offline

Budgeting
This session is aimed at officers of parish & town councils, who are involved in preparing and monitoring their council's budgets.

Communicating with your community Part 1
Creating a communications strategy

Introduction to VAT (Free)
This session is for clerks, finance staff and councillors. It explains how VAT rules affects local councils, whether they are VAT registered or reclaim VAT using Form VAT126.

An intermediate understanding of the planning system
NEW FOR 2025
This session builds on the Basic Introduction to Planning webinar and covers some of the more specialised aspects of the planning system as well as looking at some aspects in more detail.

Boosting Your Council's identity: how to promote your council effectively
This session will explore 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.

Social media for councils: getting started
Social media is a great tool for councils to use to improve their communication.

Data Protection & GDPR - Accountability and lawfulness (part 2)
This session deep dives into how councils demonstrate accountability with UK GDPR.

Social media for councils: advanced strategies
Councils often use different social media platforms to connect with the community.

The Role of Internal Audit
For councillors and officers that want to understand the role of the internal auditor and how to appoint one. (Please note, this is NOT a training session for people who want to undertake internal audits)

Getting the most from local and regional media
In this session we will consider how to establish positive relationships with journalists and how to write impactful press releases.

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

Introduction to VAT (Free)
This session is for clerks, finance staff and councillors. It explains how VAT rules affects local councils, whether they are VAT registered or reclaim VAT using Form VAT126.

Data Protection - Data subject rights and information security (part 3)
Part 3 of the GDPR training covers covers data subject rights and information security

Internal Controls
This session gives councillors and officers an understanding of the need for internal controls and how they work, with practical examples and case studies.

New Clerks' Finance (get second course free after you attend)
This introductory session is for inexperienced clerks, deputy/assistant clerks and finance officers in their first few months and is designed to give them an overview of a council's year, along with a basic understanding of the RFO's role.

Data Protection - Foundations & Theory (part 1)
In part one of the Data Protection for councils trainign we will cover the foundations , theory and core principles of UK GDPR legislation.
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Contact
Telephone: 01305 224460
Member Advice: advice@dorset-aptc.gov.uk
Member Training: training@dorset-aptc.gov.uk
General Enquiries: info@dorset-aptc.gov.uk