Full List

To see dates and book on our courses please visit our booking page

• Councillor Fundamentals

  This 2 hour course is ideal for new Councillors or those requiring a refresher.

  The Course covers:

  • Roles and responsibilities of the 5 components of the Council
  • The importance of the law in meetings with an effective agenda and accurate minutes
  • Council delegation through Committees, ways of managing your responsibilities
  • Making a Council plan for delivery to and for your Community
  • Compliance through Governance arrangements with full transparency.

  Cost £25 
  (£50 for non affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Kim Bedford, Kim Bedford Training

• Be a Better Councillor

  This 6 hour, 2 session course is ideal for new Councillors who have attended Councillor Fundamentals and also experienced Councillors

  Session one,

  • Establishing the core components and their relationship within a Council, namely; Council, Councillor, Chairman, Clerk and RFO.
  • The law and powers.
  • The decision making process – agenda, meetings, minutes.
  • Delegated functions committees and annual meetings.

  …………………………………………………….

  Session two,

  • Questions arising from day 1, moving on to making a strategic plan.  What to consider- process, delivery, monitoring and review.
  • Setting a budget in order to raise the Precept.
  • Governance, the three pillars – Internal Control, Independent Audit, External Audit
  • Equipping the staff and Councillors for their role. Working with the community.

  Engagement to gain ideas and feedback. Testing ideas delivering services with confidence.

  Cost £50 
  £100 for non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Kim Bedford, Kim Bedford Training

• Explore Chairmanship Skills

  This 6 hour, 2 session course is ideal for both new and experienced Chairmen.

  The course covers:

  Managing and leading people is one of the most challenging situations we find ourselves in. As a community leader you will explore:

  Session 1   

  Part 1.  – We examine the role of Chairman prescribed in Law, looking at responsibilities and duties, concluding with what is a good / bad chairman?

  Part 2. –   Next we look at Chairing meetings, encouraging discussion and reaching a decision. Working within Council policies, and guidelines, setting a business-like structure

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………

  Session 2.

  Part 3. –  Styles of leadership, developing Councillors and Staff skills increasing knowledge. Ways of handling conflict and motivation. The Team form a strategy……

  Part 4. –  A budgeting for action, setting the precept, working with and for the Community.

  Cost £50
  £100 for non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Kim Bedford, Kim Bedford Training

• Clerks 1-1 Induction

  This 2 hour Course is ideal for Clerks commencing a new role or those wishing to update their knowledge

  The course discusses the following topics:

  What is a Parish/Town Council?
  Roles
  Clerk’s Year
  Powers and Duties
  Meetings and Agendas
  Policies and Procedures
  Finance
  Planning
  General Admin
  Useful reference points

  Price £40 
  £80 for non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Lisa Horritt, SPCA

• Clerks - The Knowledge

  This 6 hour, 2 session course is ideal for new Clerks who have completed the Clerks 1-1 Induction and experienced Clerks

  Course Content:

  Session one.  

  Part 1 –     We open with your employment. Contract, Policies, Line management.

  Organising your calendar, Points of reference. The Council and how it fits together.

  Part 2 –    Duties and Powers, forming the agenda, and writing minutes.

  Delegated responsibilities, including committees. Annual meetings.

  ……………………………………………………………………………………………

  Session two. 

  Part 3 –   We look at accountability. Forming a Council plan to set a budget, in order to raise a precept.

  Alongside 3 aspects of Governance and transparency requirements

  Part 4 –   Resources for the council, people and finance. Working with the community for the community.

  Ways to communicate and share ideas.

  Price £75 
  £150 for non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Kim Bedford, Kim Bedford Training

• CiLCA Portfolio - Certificate in Local Council Administration

  This 5 Session course over 16 hours comprises of training students in the knowledge of how to complete the qualification. It assists them in building their portfolio and gives guidance and support along the way.

  CiLCA should be viewed as ‘the test’ of your knowledge, rather than the learning.  It is therefore advised that officers be in post for approximately 12 months before attempting CiLCA, so they have the experience of the full council year as a foundation for their understanding and portfolio.

  CiLCA is an important qualification for Officers. Achieving this on behalf of their councils completes part of the criteria to achieve the General Power of Competence.

  For more information please contact Lisa – SPCA Training Officer and visit the CiLCA section of the SLCC website

  Price £250 
  £300 for non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Lisa Horritt, SPCA, Recognised CiLCA Trainer

• Planning - Making Effective Representations

  This 2 1/2 hour course is ideal for Councillors and Clerks who want to learn more about making effective representations.

  The course will cover:

  Introduction to planning;

  What are material considerations? An overview of what these are;

  How to draft a representation, including some sample text that can be used in letters and what to include (Positive and negative aspects, suggestions for improvement and recommendation);

  Planning Conditions: How to apply planning conditions;

  Monitoring decisions; and

  Consider a range of Case Studies on the following common planning themes:
  Change of use;
  New homes or buildings;
  Retrospective planning applications;
  Large developments; and
  Outline, Reserved Matters and Full Planning.

  Questions and Answers

  Price £30
  £60 non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Hannah Barter,  Urban Vision Enterprise

• Budgets and Precepts

  This 2 hour course is ideal for both Clerks and Councillors in preparation for starting the budget process.

  Course Content:

  • How to set up a Budgeting system
  • How the Budget feeds the Precept process
  • Calculating your Councils precept requirements
  • Council Tax support grants
  • Timetable for Precepting within your council
  • Generating the Annual Return from the accounting system (an overview)

  Price £30 
  £60 non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Alan Toplis, Toplis Associates

• Finance for Councillors

  Coming soon

• Internal Audit

  This 2 hour course is ideal for anyone wishing to understand more about the role of the Internal Auditor. This could include Councillors, Officers and Internal Auditors.

  Course Content:

  Supplementing the “Surviving the Year End Audit” course, this course will cover the following:

  • Ever wondered what your Internal Auditor is supposed to do
  • Does your Internal Auditor understand the Governance and Accountability Guidelines (or even have a copy)
  • Do you want to become an Internal Auditor
  • How should your council manage its Internal Auditor

  Cost £30
  £60 non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Alan Toplis, Toplis Associates

• Parish Bookkeeping - Basic Skills

  This 2 hour course is ideal for Officers who want to understand more about setting up a cashbook on Excel and producing reports to Council.

  Content
  Basic Elements of the cashbook
  Introduction to Excel including:
  How to set up a spreadsheet
  Use of formulas
  Formats
  How to use Excel to produce quick and easy reports to Council
  How to complete a bank reconciliation
  Questions

  Cost £30
  £60 non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Lisa Horritt, SPCA

• Surviving the Year End Audit

  This 2 hour course is ideal for Officers both new to their role and as a refresher.

  The course will cover:

  – satisfying the Internal Audit

  – end of year bank reconciliations

  – drawing up accounts for the APM, annual council meeting and the end of year audit

  – the Annual Governance and Accountability Return Card

  – variance identification and reporting

  – public reporting of audit

  – likely External Audit questions

  – special reporting requirements for councils with a turn over of less than £25k p.a.

  Course Tutor: Alan Toplis, Toplis Associates

• VAT

  This 2 hour course is ideal for both Officers and Councillors who wish to understand more about VAT in Local Councils.

  Course Content: 

  – The basics of VAT

  – What and how to claim

  – Maximising your claim

  – Correcting errors

  – Pitfalls of VAT

  – Limits and “De minimis” arrangements

  – How to decide when to register for VAT

  – How HMRC determines penalties

  – Sports facilities and village halls

  – Building projects

  – Getting more information

  Please note that this training course is primarily aimed at those councils who are VAT UB’s (unregistered bodies) who make their claims of VAT on Form 126 (electronic or manual).

  If you are already a fully VAT registered council making quarterly returns and would like specific training tailored to your needs, please contact us and we will make the necessary arrangements.

  Cost £30
  £60 non-affiliated

  Course Tutor: Alan Toplis, Toplis Associates

• Good Employment Practice

  This 2 hour course is ideal for Officers and Councillors 

  Staff are one of the highest costs to a council.

  Fail to manage your valuable staffing resource and the council can not only fail to achieve its goals, but also bad practice and poor management can cost the council dear.

  We examine possible ways to organise the recruitment, retention, and appraisal of staff. Evaluate performance in line with council objectives, source training and development and look briefly at HMRC and Pension requirements.

  Setting up a Committee and why this is needed
  Terms of reference
  Performance Management
  Training and Development
  Grievance/ disciplinary/ mediation.

  Cost £30
  £60 non-affiliated Councils

  Course Tutor: Kim Bedford, Kim Bedford Training

• How to generate funding and write more successful bids

  This 2 hour course is ideal for Officers and Councillors

  This session covers: –
  a) Funding sources and where to look
  b) Becoming a more confident and successful fundraiser
  c) Practical steps necessary to attain grants
  d) The application process and writing funding bids
  e) Preparation – planning thoroughly in advance
  f) Building the Case for Funding
  g) Understanding Eligibility Criteria
  h) Fundraising strategies – generate income from multiple sources

  Part 1: Current Grant Availability
  An outline of the key funding sources available, grant criteria and what funders are looking for and how to apply.

  30 minute break

  Part 2: Writing more Successful Bids
  • Preparation – planning your project and bid thoroughly in advance
  • Understanding and meeting eligibility criteria – cutting through the jargon
  • Building the case for funding
  • Writing robust bids and the application process

  Mike Deegan has extensive experience of developing successful community grant applications with both a leading Charity and during seven years as a Parish Councillor in Staffordshire.

  Cost £30
  (£60 for non affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Mike Deegan, Mike Deegan Consulting

• Developing effective communications and media strategies

  This 2 hour course is ideal for both Officers and Councillors

  This session covers: 
  • The changing nature of Communications and Media for Councils
  • Utilising all relevant opportunities
  • Establishing a strategic approach to your communication
  • Prioritising key methods and tactics
  • Enhancing existing communication and developing new approaches
  • Develop your own Council Communications and Media Strategy
  • How to effectively implement your Communication and Media Strategy

  Cost £30
  (£60 for non affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Mike Deegan, Mike Deegan Consulting

• Contracts, Specs and Procurement

  This 2 hour course is ideal for Officers and Councillors

  This session covers: 

  Part 1: Procurement Procedures
  • Understanding current regulations
  • The need for completing a procurement process
  • Developing criteria for sourcing and awarding contracts
  • Managing estimates, quotes and tenders
  • Ensuring quality, value for money, social value and fairness

  20 minute break

  Part 2: Contracts and Agreements
  • Writing basic contracts, tender briefs and agreements
  • Producing comprehensive specifications
  • Ensuring appropriate legal compliance, certification and policies
  • Effective contract management

  Cost £30
  (£60 for non affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Mike Deegan, Mike Deegan Consulting

• Data Protection Essentials and Refresher for Councillors

  This 2 hour session is ideal for Councillors 

  Whether you are an experienced Councillor or have only recently been elected, it is vital that you understand how data protection fits with your role as an elected member.

  With legislation and case law constantly evolving, this interactive session will provide you with an opportunity to make sure you are getting the essentials right and ensure you are meeting your legal obligations as a Councillor.

  Cost £30
  (£60 for non affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Breakthrough Communications

• Data Protection Workshop for Councils

  This 2 hour session is ideal for Council Officers

  Data Protection for Town and Parish Councils: for Clerks, Officers and Data Protection Officers

  So much has already changed since the advent of GDPR back in May 2018. It is important that Councils ensure they have the most up-to-date understanding as to their obligations.

  The training providers nationally-recognised data protection expert has worked extensively with Councillors, non-profit organisations and the information Commissioner to develop best practice guidance, which Councils can use to ensure they are not just meeting their legal obligations but actually ensuring that data protection is a tool to help them better communicate and engage with residents, and not something that hinders such communication.

  Cost £30
  (£60 for non affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Breakthrough Communications

• Understanding Code of Conduct

  This 2 hour course is ideal for Councillors and Officers 

  Course Content:

  • What is the Code of Conduct?
  • Why has the Council adopted one?
  • How should Councillors behave in their public position?
  • The meaning of ‘interests’ and how to register and declare them
  • What to do in meetings when there is a conflict of interest
  • Dispensations – How and when to apply for them
  • What might happen when things go wrong!

  Cost £30
  (£60 for non affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Gill Lungley, 

• Charitable Trusts and Parish/Town Councils

  This 2-part webinar will give you a wider understanding of Trusts, and guidance for the trusteeship of charities.

  The following will be covered in each session:

  Part 1
  • Nature of Trusts
  • What are the requirements for a Charitable Trust?
  • How is a Charitable Trust created?
  • Role of the Charity Commission
  • Registration with the Charity Commission or HM Revenue & Customs
  • Legal personality of a Charitable Trust
  • Charitable Incorporated Organisation
  Part 2
  • Trustees generally
  • Role & responsibilities of Custodian, Holding and Management Trustees
  • Duties of management & liabilities
  • Winding up or amalgamating a charity
  • Dealings with Property
  • Village Halls & Recreation Grounds
  • Trading

  This course is suitable for all Parish Clerks and those involved with or would like to know more about Charitable Trusts and Members who might be trustees.

  Cost £50 (for both sessions)
  (£100 for non affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Roger Taylor, Wellers Hedleys Solicitors

• Using Facebook to enhance your Councils Communication

  This is a  2 1/2 hour online training course

  This course includes strategies, tools and techniques to get the most from your Council’s social media presence

  Facebook provides town and parish Councils a unique opportunity to significantly enhance their communications – yet few Councils are fully reaping the benefits on offer.
  Discover how to build up effective two-way conversations with local communities, make use of time-saving tools and learn techniques to improve digital engagement, all within the constraints of existing Officer time and resources.

  This course will also include a 30 minute session at the end for those who have not yet set up a page with practical help about how to do so.

  Cost £30 (£60 non-affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Breakthrough Communications

• Freedom of Information Essentials for Local Councils

  This is a 2 hour online training course.

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

  We look at what policies and procedures councils should have in place, how to ensure officers and councillors are aware of their obligations and what steps to take when you get an FOI request.

  Cost £30 (£60 non-affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Breakthrough Communications

• Social Media Skills For Councillors

  This is a 2 hour online training course.

  Social media offers Parish and Town Councillors as individually-elected members a fantastic opportunity to engage and communicate with their residents.

  Building up two-way conversations through the power of digital platforms has never been easier, but it can be tricky to get started and to know where to focus your time and effort as an individual Councillor.

  We walk you through the essential ways to get the most out of key social media platforms as a local Councillor, and provide top tips to engage with your residents

  Cost £30 (£60 non-affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Breakthrough Communications

• Creating accessible council documents and content

  This is a 2 hour online training course.

  This session is all about the practical application of accessibility, and will provide you with a practical understanding of the application of accessibility from the perspective of a local council.

  We will teach you how to create accessible documents, content and multimedia for use for use throughout the work of your council.

  This session will review the basic principles of accessibility, and walk you through tools and techniques to ensure your council is working towards accessibility compliance.

  Cost £30 (£60 non-affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Breakthrough Communications

• Embracing equality, diversity and inclusion in your council

  This is a 2 hour online training course.

  This session will focus on understanding protected characteristics, the difference between direct and indirect discrimination and the definitions of equality, diversity and inclusion – and how the relate to the internal and external work of parish and town councils.

  The aim being to raise awareness to barriers to progress for diverse communities and barriers to productivity for staff.

  Cost £30 (£60 non-affiliated Councils)

  Course Tutor: Breakthrough Communications