Councillor Development

Learn how to create a public communications strategy that supports the delivery of your council’s priorities, aims and objectives.

This session is part of the New Councillor Induction Programme which is an ideal introduction to parish and town council life. Suitable too for returning councillors wanting a refresher on the same topic this course can be completed as a standalone session.

This session is part of the New Councillor Induction Programme which is an ideal introduction to parish and town council life. Suitable too for returning councillors wanting a refresher on the same topic this course can be completed as a standalone session.

In this session we explore practical techniques to manage difficult conversations and situations in a council environment.

Discover the tools, strategies and techniques needed to better promote your own messages but also to better respond to the voices within your local community.

This session is for people who have never used Canva before. We will go through the basics and show you how to get the most out of the free version. Our goal is to get you started with Canva and to help your Council to communicate better.

Interesting and informative training for new chairs and vice chairs to council and committees, councillors considering the role of chair or as a refresher for those with more experience. 

Interesting and informative training for new chairs and vice chairs to council and committees, councillors considering the role of chair or as a refresher for those with more experience. 

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Induction Programme will give new councillors a good introduction to parish and town life.

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand,  The New Councillor Induction Programme will give new councillors a good introduction to parish and town life.

This session is part of the New Councillor Induction Programme which is an ideal introduction to parish and town council life. Suitable too for returning councillors wanting a refresher on the same topic this course can be completed as a standalone session.

This session is part of the New Councillor Induction Programme which is an ideal introduction to parish and town council life. Suitable too for returning councillors wanting a refresher on the same topic this course can be completed as a standalone session.

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 experienced Canva users.

During the session we will focus on the advanced features of Canva, showing you how your Council can get more out of this online graphic design tool.

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Induction Programme will give new councillors a good introduction to parish and town life.

This session is part of the New Councillor Induction Programme which is an ideal introduction to parish and town council life. Suitable too for returning councillors wanting a refresher on the same topic this course can be completed as a standalone session.

In this session we explore practical techniques to manage difficult conversations and situations in a council environment.

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.

Learn how to create a public communications strategy that supports the delivery of your council’s priorities, aims and objectives.

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials is one part of our New Councillor Induction Programme which will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials is one part of our New Councillor Induction Programme which will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Ideal for new councillors taking up their roles after the May 2024 election 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.

This session is for people who have never used Canva before. We will go through the basics and show you how to get the most out of the free version. Our goal is to get you started with Canva and to help your Council to communicate better.

Ideal for new councillors taking up their roles after the May 2024 election 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.

This session is designed for councillors, regardless of whether you are an experienced chairperson or whether you are new to the role. 

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

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

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.

For councillors, clerks/RFO's and officers.

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.

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.

Discover the tools, strategies and techniques needed to better promote your own messages but also to better respond to the voices within your local community.

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. beneficial for clerks and their teams where they have one.

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 course looks at what requirements and obligations local councils have when it comes to Freedom of Information.

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials is one part of our New Councillor Induction Programme which will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Essentials is one part of our New Councillor Induction Programme which will give delegates a good introduction to parish and town life.

This session is for experienced Canva users.

During the session we will focus on the advanced features of Canva, showing you how your Council can get more out of this online graphic design tool.

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.

Ideal for existing councillors wanting a refresher on the subject, or for new councillors getting used to why interests need to be declared and the best way to do it.

Discover why standards and the Code of Conduct exist, what is required under the NOLAN principles, how poor conduct impacts councils and understand why interests have to be declared.

Ideal for existing councillors wanting a refresher on the subject, or for new councillors getting used to why interests need to be declared and the best way to do it.

Discover why standards and the Code of Conduct exist, what is required under the NOLAN principles, how poor conduct impacts councils and understand why interests have to be declared.

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, focussing on those that are not VAT registered, but reclaim VAT using Form VAT126. Essential for any council contemplating major building projects

Being a newly elected or co-opted councillor can Initially be quite daunting and difficult to understand, 

The New Councillor Induction Programme will give new councillors a good introduction to parish and town life.

In the afternoon we are running Standards in Public Life training from 12.15pm until 1.45pm for existing councillors wanting a refresher on the subject, or for new councillors getting used to why interests need to be declared and the best way to do it. If you would like to also attend this, please click HERE for information and to make a booking.

Ideal for existing councillors wanting a refresher on the subject, or for new councillors getting used to why interests need to be declared and the best way to do it.

Discover why standards and the Code of Conduct exist, what is required under the NOLAN principles, how poor conduct impacts councils and understand why interests have to be declared.

This session will help you understand your legal obligations to yourself and to your council and how to get things right. as well as introducing Freedom of Information and what this means for councillors.

With recent changes in political direction following the General Election, join Andrew Towlerton to understand the possible implications on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Come armed with your questions for an interesting and informative update on this topic.

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)