Clerk Development
Communicating with your community Part 1: Creating a communications strategy
Learn how to create a public communications strategy that supports the delivery of your council’s priorities, aims and objectives.
Procurement Act 2023
For anyone involved in procuring goods and services, preparing tenders or entering into contracts on behalf of local councils.
Dealing with difficult people and conversations in our local councils
In this session we explore practical techniques to manage difficult conversations and situations in a council environment.
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.
Latest National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) revisions
NEW UPDATE SESSION FOR 2025
This webinar will outline the key aspects of the government reforms contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and more generally that will have implications for local councils and explore how they are likely to work in practice.
Recruiting and retaining councillors
Learn effective ways to raise awareness and interest in the work of the council, in order to better promote and demystify the role of a councillor.
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.
The Big Lunch 2025
Don’t miss The Big Lunch webinar for councils and housing associations
Data Protection and GDPR for councils part 3: data subject rights and information security
In this session we consider how to deal with data subject rights requests, including Subject Access Requests (SARs) and the importance of Information Security for local councils and what this means in practice..
Getting the most from local and regional media
For councillors, clerks/RFO's and officers.
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.
A Basic Introduction to Planning
Ideal for new councillors recently in role, or for returning councillors wanting a refresher course. This course may benefit new to role clerks and members of their team where they have one.
Some recent feedback from delegates attending this course:
“Presentation was very clear and didn’t presume any prior knowledge. The trainer was happy to take questions throughout”
“This was a good refresher for me, packed with useful information and with excellent examples”
“Andrew’s delivery of the information was the best I have attended so far, clear, informative with memorable examples that make the principles stick in the mind”
Crisis Communications for Local Councils
This session takes participants through the detail of preparing for any crisis. We pass on expert tips and guidance on being prepared, and cover the effective steps your council could take should the worst happen.
Freedom of Information for local councils: obligations, procedures and exemptions
This course looks at what requirements and obligations local councils have when it comes to Freedom of Information.
VAT for VAT Registered Councils
This session is for clerks, finance staff and councillors from VAT registered councils, who wish to develop their knowledge of how VAT applies to their council's activities.
Communicating with your community Part 2: Engaging with your community
Discover the tools, strategies and techniques needed to better promote your own messages but also to better respond to the voices within your local community.
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.
Year End & Audit - Councils over £25,000
For officers who want to understand how to prepare their council’s Annual Governance & Accountability Return and comply with the requirements of the audit process.
This session does NOT cover exemption from audit or the Transparency Code for smaller Authorities. We have alternative sessions for councils under £25,000 that need those topics.
Introduction to VAT
This session is for clerks, finance staff and councillors. It explains how VAT rules affects local councils, focussing on those that are not VAT registered, but reclaim VAT using Form VAT126. Essential for any council contemplating major building projects
Recruiting and retaining councillors
Learn effective ways to raise awareness and interest in the work of the council, in order to better promote and demystify the role of a councillor.
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.
FREE Webinar for Clerks - Canva + Mailchimp + Trello Introduction
Join Clare Lucas for 30 minutes to find out exactly what Canva, Mailchimp and Trello are and how they can help you.
How councils can engage effectively with young people in their communities
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
Year End & Audit - Councils over £25,000
For officers who want to understand how to prepare their council’s Annual Governance & Accountability Return and comply with the requirements of the audit process.
This session does NOT cover exemption from audit or the Transparency Code for smaller Authorities. We have alternative sessions for councils under £25,000 that need those topics.
Social media Part 2: Advanced social media strategies and tactics for local councils
In this session we explore how to get the most from each of the key social media platforms and how to ensure your social media content is delivering on your council’s communications objectives.
Procurement Act 2023
For anyone involved in procuring goods and services, preparing tenders or entering into contracts on behalf of local councils.
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)
Year End & Transparency - Councils under £25,000
For officers who want to understand how to prepare their council’s Annual Governance & Accountability Return and comply with the requirements of the audit process.
Data Protection and GDPR for councils part 1: foundations and theory
In a constantly changing legislative landscape, it is important that councils have the most up-to-date understanding of data protection legislation. They should also have a good grasp of their data protection obligations.
Getting the most from local and regional media
For councillors, clerks/RFO's and officers.
