Councillor Development
Social media skills for parish and town councillors
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.'
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.
Get the most from local and regional media
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.
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.
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
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”
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.
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.
A basic introduction to planning
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”
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.
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”
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 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.
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.
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.
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