Council Employee Development

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)

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

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

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)

In this session we consider how to deal with data subject rights requests, including Subject Access Requests (SARs). 

During the session we will focus on the advanced features of Canva.

This course examines the obligations of local councils regarding Freedom of Information (FOI).

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

In this session we will consider how to establish positive relationships with journalists and how to write impactful press releases.

This introductory session walks councils through the theory and core principles of UK GDPR and other relevant legislation.

Creating a communications strategy

Social media is a great tool for councils to use to improve their communication.

In this session, there will discussions about practical techniques for managing difficult conversations and situations.

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

This session deep dives into how councils demonstrate accountability with UK GDPR. 

 Councils often use different social media platforms to connect with the community. 

This introductory session walks councils through the theory and core principles of UK GDPR and other relevant legislation.

Canva is a design tool that can be used for free. It allows you to quickly create posters, newsletters, and other physical documents.

This session deep dives into how councils demonstrate accountability with UK GDPR. 

+++  Spaces limited book early +++

This a practical workshop to help you thrive in your council role.

Recruiting passionate and engaged individuals to stand as councillors is becoming increasingly challenging.

Implementing effective community engagement and building a sustainable approach to getting your messages across to the public

This session is aimed at officers of parish & town councils, who are involved in preparing and monitoring their council's budgets.

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”

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.

In this session we consider how to deal with data subject rights requests, including Subject Access Requests (SARs). 

The National Allotment Society are your trainers and this event is being hosted by our colleagues at Somerset ALC. THIS COURSE IS OVER TWO DATES - Spaces limited to 30 book early.

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.

In this session, there will discussions about practical techniques for managing difficult conversations and situations.

This course examines the obligations of local councils regarding Freedom of Information (FOI)

This session is for offficers that are involved in procuring goods and services, preparing tenders, or entering into contracts on behalf of local councils.

Part 2 of Canva training shows how your Council can get more out of Canva, for instance, creating complex designs and a brand for your Council.

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

This introductory session walks councils through the theory and core principles of UK GDPR and other relevant legislation.

This introductory session is for inexperienced clerks, deputy/assistant clerks and finance officers in their first few months and is designed to give them an overview of a council's year, along with a basic understanding of the RFO's role.

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

This session is aimed at officers of parish & town councils, who are involved in preparing and monitoring their council's budgets.

Creating a communications strategy

This session is for clerks, finance staff and councillors. It explains how VAT rules affects local councils, whether they are VAT registered or reclaim VAT using Form VAT126.

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.

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. 

Social media is a great tool for councils to use to improve their communication.

This session deep dives into how councils demonstrate accountability with UK GDPR. 

 Councils often use different social media platforms to connect with the community. 

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)

In this session we will consider how to establish positive relationships with journalists and how to write impactful press releases.

This session is for offficers that are involved in procuring goods and services, preparing tenders, or entering into contracts on behalf of local councils.

This session is for clerks, finance staff and councillors. It explains how VAT rules affects local councils, whether they are VAT registered or reclaim VAT using Form VAT126.

Part 3 of the GDPR training covers covers data subject rights and information security