Clerk Development
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.
Future Planning - with Dorset Council's Planning Team
There’s a lot happening in the world of planning at national and local levels at the moment. This event will help town and parish councils navigate the upcoming changes and is perfect for councillors, clerks and those involved with planning and neighbourhood planning committees.
Closing date for bookings: Monday 24 February 2025 at 11am
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.
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 1: Getting started with social media for local councils
Explore how to create a social media strategy and the basics of Facebook. Our goal is to share with you time-saving tools and techniques. Hopefully, this will help you and your council to be more confident using social media.
Income and expenditure accounts (for larger councils)
This session is for officers who want to understand how to prepare their council’s Annual Governance & Accountability Return on an income and expenditure basis (mandatory for councils regularly spending over £200,000) and comply with the requirements of the audit process.
Data Protection and GDPR for councils part 2: accountability and lawfulness
This session deep dives into how councils are required to demonstrate accountability with UK GDPR.
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.
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.
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.
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..
Income and expenditure accounts (for larger councils)
This session is for officers who want to understand how to prepare their council’s Annual Governance & Accountability Return on an income and expenditure basis (mandatory for councils regularly spending over £200,000) and comply with the requirements of the audit process.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Procurement Act 2023
For anyone involved in procuring goods and services, preparing tenders or entering into contracts on behalf of local councils.
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.
Some recent feedback from delegates attending this course:
“Refreshed and updated my skills/knowledge/understanding. A development in our parish has gone to Appeal”
“The course covered everything and facilitated discussion as well”
“Great opportunity to explore solutions to enforcement problems”
“A pleasure to hear from a really experienced trainer with wide knowledge of this field”
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
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.
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.
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