Councillor Development

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New Councillor Essentials (early evening)

Mon 9 Jun 2025 18:00 -20:00
Zoom
£60 members

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

Thu 19 Jun 2025 10:00 -11:40
Online
£35.00

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

Tue 24 Jun 2025 10:00 -11:40
Online
£35.00

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.

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A basic introduction to planning

Tue 24 Jun 2025 18:30 -20:30
Zoom
£35 members

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

Thu 10 Jul 2025 10:00 -11:40
Online
£35.00

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.

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New Councillor Essentials (afternoon)

Mon 14 Jul 2025 14:00 -16:00
Zoom
£60 for members

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”

Image of the word discover

New Councillor Essentials (early evening)

Mon 14 Jul 2025 18:00 -20:00
Zoom
£60 members

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

Tue 15 Jul 2025 10:00 -11:40
Online
£35.00

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

Planning training image

An intermediate understanding of the planning system

Tue 15 Jul 2025 18:30 -20:00
Zoom
£35 members

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

Internal Controls

Wed 23 Jul 2025 10:00 -11:40
Online
£35.00

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

Planning training image

A basic introduction to planning

Tue 16 Sep 2025 15:00 -16:30
Zoom
£35 members

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”

Image of the word discover

New Councillor Essentials (afternoon)

Mon 22 Sep 2025 14:00 -16:00
Zoom
£60 for members

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”

Image of the word discover

New Councillor Essentials (early evening)

Mon 22 Sep 2025 18:00 -20:00
Zoom
£60 members

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”

Planning training image

An intermediate understanding of the planning system

Tue 23 Sep 2025 15:00 -16:30
Zoom
£35 members

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.

Planning training image

Planning Enforcements and Appeals

Wed 15 Oct 2025 10:00 -11:00
Zoom
£35 members

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”

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New Councillor Essentials (afternoon)

Mon 3 Nov 2025 14:00 -12:29
Zoom
£60 for members

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”

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Contact

Telephone: 01305 224460

Member Advice: advice@dorset-aptc.gov.uk

Member Training: training@dorset-aptc.gov.uk

General Enquiries: info@dorset-aptc.gov.uk

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm

 

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