Councillor Development

For clerks, finance staff and councillors from councils that are not VAT registered, but reclaim VAT using Form VAT126.

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.

This session is for councillors only and is designed to give them a greater understanding of their duties with regard to the council’s finances.

This course looks at what requirements and obligations local councils have when it comes to Freedom of Information.

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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

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.

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.

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

Some recent feedback from delegates on what was most useful about the course:

'Hearing what other councils are doing, sharing ideas and having data to back it up.'

'Suggestions for use of social media. Hearing other people’s experiences'

NEW FOR 2025

Does your council want to get started on a Neighbourhood Plan, or review an existing Plan?

This session will provide an understanding of what is involved in the development of a Neighbourhood Plan, and associated documents such as Design Codes, and also help with reviewing exisiting Plans.

In this session we explore practical techniques to manage difficult conversations and situations in a council environment.

Learn how to create a public communications strategy that supports the delivery of your council’s priorities, aims and objectives.

This session will help you understand your legal obligations to yourself and to your council and how to get things right. as well as introducing Freedom of Information and what this means for councillors.

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.

In this session we walk you through the essential ways to get the most out of key social media platforms as a local councillor, what issues to be mindful of, and we provide top tips to engage with your residents.

Some recent feedback from councillors attending this training:

It was good to get an overview about potential use of social media by Councils and Councillors. Real examples and the interactive nature of the course really helped me.'

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

In this session we explore how you can build effective two-way relationships with journalists, how to write effective press releases and how to get regular coverage in your local and regional media.

This session is for councillors only and is designed to give them a greater understanding of their duties with regard to the council’s finances.

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

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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.

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.

Ideal for new councillors recently in roles, 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.

Examples of recent feedback from delegates attending this course:

“This was a good refresher for me, packed with useful information and with excellent examples”

“Presentation was very clear and didn’t presume any prior knowledge. The trainer was happy to take questions throughout”

“Useful summaries on all aspects”

“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”

This session is for councillors only and is designed to give them a greater understanding of their duties with regard to the council’s finances.

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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

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.

Some recent delegate feedback from this course:

I like how easy it is to fit this short session in to a busy schedule and get so much out of it.

It was helpful to get a clear analysis of the way the system works which Andrew does well and illustrates with good examples.

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

Ideal for new councillors recently in roles, 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.

Examples of recent feedback from delegates attending this course:

“This was a good refresher for me, packed with useful information and with excellent examples”

“Presentation was very clear and didn’t presume any prior knowledge. The trainer was happy to take questions throughout”

“Useful summaries on all aspects”

“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”

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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.

Some recent delegate feedback from this course:

I like how easy it is to fit this short session in to a busy schedule and get so much out of it.

It was helpful to get a clear analysis of the way the system works which Andrew does well and illustrates with good examples.

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”

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”

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

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Some recent feedback from new councillors attending this training:

“A very good course. The instructor was very open to receiving questions”

“Every subject was covered if only briefly and it then allows you to have an overall understanding and to go into more specific detail of a subject in its own particular training course”

“The delivery was very good and everything was explained thoroughly”

“I think this should be mandatory for all councillors”