Councillor Development

A crisis could strike at any point and be anything from flooding to a meeting going viral.

+++  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.

A crisis could strike at any point and be anything from flooding to a meeting going viral.

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

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

It has never been more important for councillors to understand social media.

Recent feedback on this course: "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."

+++  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.

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

Join us for a one-day conference for councillors and clerks inspired by the A Fresh Start report.

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.

Creating a communications strategy

This session clarifies a councillor’s legal responsibilities to themself and the council

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. 

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)

It has never been more important for councillors to understand social media.

Recent feedback on this course: "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."

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

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.

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.

Councillors training: Data protection training for parish and town councillors

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 is for councillors only and is designed to give them a greater understanding of their duties with regard to the council’s finances.

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

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.

+++  Spaces limited book early +++

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

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.

A crisis could strike at any point and be anything from flooding to a meeting going viral.

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 training: Data protection training for parish and town councillors

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

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 is for councillors only and is designed to give them a greater understanding of their duties with regard to the council’s finances.

Communicating with your community (Part 1)

It has never been more important for councillors to understand social media.

Recent feedback on this course: "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."

In-person forum covering matters affecting planning and building control in Dorset. 

Virtual forum covering matters affecting planning and building control in Dorset. 

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

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 for councillors only and is designed to give them a greater understanding of their duties with regard to the council’s finances.

National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system

Councillors training: Data protection training for parish and town councillors

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

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

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)

+++  Spaces limited book early +++

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