Councillor 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
Data Protection for parish and town councillors
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.
An introduction to neighbourhood planning and design codes
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.
Finance for Councillors
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.
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)
Getting the most from local and regional media
For councillors, clerks/RFO's and officers.
New Councillor Essentials (afternoon)
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 Councillor Essentials (early evening)
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”
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.
Data Protection for parish and town councillors
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.
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
An introduction to neighbourhood planning and design codes
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.
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.
