Council Training

Become an Effective Parish Councillor : Understanding Your Role and Impact
Are you newly elected, or simply want to understand how your local council works?
Join our Parish Councillor Training Session - an interactive and informative workshop designed to help you make a real difference in your community.
In this session, you will:
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of a parish councillor
- Learn the basics of local government structure and how decisions are made
- Explore meeting procedures and effective community engagement strategies
Whether you are just starting out or looking to refresh your knowledge, this session will give you the confidence and insight to serve your community effectively.

The Code of Conduct and corresponding guidance sets out the minimum standards of behaviour expected. It is designed to encourage councillors to model the high standards expected, to be mutually respectful even if they have personal or political differences, to provide a personal check and balance, and to set out the type of conduct that could lead to complaints being made of behaviour falling below the standards expected of councillors and in breach of the code.

It is also to protect councillors, the public, local authority officers and the reputation of the local government. Find out how this works in practice.

Aims of the course

Come to understand

• the reasons for members’ standards
• why the council has adopted a code of conduct
• the standards expected of council members
• the meaning of ‘interests’ and how to register and declare them
• what to do in meetings when there is a conflict of interest
• what might happen when things go wrong!

1.5 CPD point 

Good Governance and Compliance for Parish Councils
Strengthen your council's effectiveness and ensure sound decision-making with our Good Governance and Compliance Training - a practical session designed to support councillors and clerks in fulfilling their statutory and ethical responsibilities.
In this session, you will:-
- Apply governance principles to everyday council work
- Understand key compliance obligations and legal requirements
- Learn how to oversee finance responsibly
- Identify and avoid common pitfalls in council operations
This training is ideal for councillors involved in local governance who want to improve transparency, accountability, and confidence in their role.
Why attend:
Good governance is at the heart of every successful council. This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to ensure your council operates efficiently, ethically, and in line with best practice.

Understanding the Planning Process for Parish Councils
Planning is one of the most important - and sometimes more complex - areas of parish council work. This Planning and Parish Council Training session is designed to give councillors the knowledge and confidence to engage effectively in local planning matters.
In this session, you will:
- Understand the role of the parish council in the planning process
- Learn how to read and comment on planning applications
- Identify what counts as a 'material consideration'
- Understand how your comments are considered by the Local Planning Authority (LPA)
- Avoid comment pitfalls such as bias or predetermination
Whether you are new to the council or looking to refresh your understanding, this practical session will help you make informed, balanced contributions to local planning decisions.