Councillor Development
Listed below are courses in a number of different formats for councillors of parish and town councils across Dorset. We provide online, e-learning and in person training as well as events to network at. Take a look from the schedule below and make sure you check with your clerk to make sure you haven't spent the entire training budget!
If your council wish to bulk purchase e-learning modules do get in touch. If you would like to discuss the delivery of one of the courses for the whole council, please call on 01305 224460 and we can discuss what your are looking to do.
Prices listed apply for DAPTC member councils only.
Non DAPTC member councils are welcome to book a place for double the price shown against the training.
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”
| Event Date | Wed 15 Oct 2025 10:00 |
| Event End Date | Wed 15 Oct 2025 11:00 |
| Cut Off Date | Wed 15 Oct 2025 8:00 |
| Capacity | 25 |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 25 |
| Price | £35 members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Clerk Development, Council Employee Development, Councillor Development |
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”
| Event Date | Mon 3 Nov 2025 14:00 |
| Event End Date | Mon 3 Nov 2025 12:29 |
| Cut Off Date | Mon 3 Nov 2025 12:00 |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 10 |
| Price | £60 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Councillor Development |
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”
| Event Date | Mon 3 Nov 2025 18:00 |
| Event End Date | Mon 3 Nov 2025 20:00 |
| Cut Off Date | Fri 31 Oct 2025 17:00 |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 10 |
| Price | £60 members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Councillor Development |
NEW FOR 2025 - Reimagining Local Community Leadership
For parish and town councillors who've completed their first year of service and also more experienced councillors.
This transformative course provides a comprehensive, forward-looking exploration of how parish and town councils can become dynamic catalysts for positive local change.
| Event Date | Tue 18 Nov 2025 14:00 |
| Event End Date | Tue 18 Nov 2025 16:00 |
| Cut Off Date | Mon 17 Nov 2025 17:00 |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 10 |
| Price | £60 members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Councillor Development |
NEW FOR 2025 - Reimagining Local Community Leadership
For parish and town councillors who've completed their first year of service and also more experienced councillors.
This transformative course provides a comprehensive, forward-looking exploration of how parish and town councils can become dynamic catalysts for positive local change.
| Event Date | Tue 18 Nov 2025 18:00 |
| Event End Date | Tue 18 Nov 2025 20:00 |
| Cut Off Date | Mon 17 Nov 2025 17:00 |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 10 |
| Price | £60 members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Councillor Development |
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”
| Event Date | Mon 8 Dec 2025 14:00 |
| Event End Date | Mon 8 Dec 2025 16:00 |
| Cut Off Date | Mon 8 Dec 2025 12:00 |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 10 |
| Price | £60 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Councillor Development |
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”
| Event Date | Mon 8 Dec 2025 18:00 |
| Event End Date | Mon 8 Dec 2025 20:00 |
| Cut Off Date | Fri 5 Dec 2025 17:00 |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 10 |
| Price | £60 members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Councillor Development |
