Councillor 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.
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.
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.
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.
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”
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.
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.
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.
Councillors: social media skills
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.
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.
