New Councillor Toolkit

The aim of this new training course is to help new Councillors find their feet in terms of what to expect at a council or committee meeting, how to conduct themselves and to give them a general idea of their roles and responsibilities. In addition to that they will learn how GAPTC works to support councillors in their role on a council.

To complete the course Councillors:

1. Attend a one-hour introduction to GAPTC and the role of Councillor (webinar)

2. Attend two Council meetings: this can be of the Council or a committee where you have been elected or co-opted

3. Complete the e-learning module: Introduction to Local Councils

4. Attend a one-hour debrief (optional) with your questions and observations after completing 1–3 above

The fee is £45 inclusive of the introductory session, the e-learning and the feedback session

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Being a Better Councillor

Combined, these two workshops cover the basics to enable councillors to learn about the key aspects of their role. They are ideal for new councillors but also enable existing councillors to refresh their knowledge and understanding.

Part 1 covers what is a council; local councils and the law; working as a team, roles and responsibilities; standards and the Code of Conduct. 

Part 2 covers how councils work in practice; meetings and agendas, finance and transparency, and community involvement. 

This course aims to equip you with the skills needed to  positively influence your customer interactions  and meet your service-related challenges with confidence.

The fee is £45 per two-hour online session, or £90 for the single Saturday in-person course

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In the HOT seat: Being an Effective Chairperson

This two-hour session is offered online or in person on a Saturday and is aimed at the chair of the council as well as chairs of committees. It covers a wide range of subjects and skills, including: 

The role of the chairman and what they do

Knowing the rules (ie Standing Orders)

Preparing for the meeting

The tools of the business (ie agenda)

Managing the meeting

Managing conflict

The fee is £45, whether online or in person

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Finance for Councillors

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. 

Topics include: Roles and responsibilities, setting a budget and precept, financial control, the Annual Governance & Accountability Return, internal and external audits, and how VAT applies to local councils.

By the end of the session you will understand the council's duties regarding financial management, be aware of relevant legislation and sources of guidance, be aware of how the council's accounts are prepared and audited, be able to recognise the importance of internal controls, and understand how VAT law applies to your council.

The fee is £45 for a two-hour, virtual, trainer-led session

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Data Protection for Parish & Town Councillors

This is a three-part course offered virtually by Breakthrough Communications, in two-hour sessions.

Part one: In an ever-evolving legislative landscape, it is vital that councils ensure they have the most up-to-date understanding of their data protection obligations. This introductory session walks councils through the theory and core principles of GDPR and related data protection legislation, and we explain what policies, practices and processes councils need to have in place.

Part two: This advanced data protection session deep dives into how councils are required to demonstrate accountability with GDPR. We consider the lawful bases for how councils process personal data and we explore how to create different policies and documents, including your Privacy Notice and Data Protection Impact Assessments.

Part three: This advanced data protection session considers how to deal with data subject rights requests, including Subject Access Requests. We explore specific steps to take to ensure you are compliant with the legislation, and we consider what exemptions may apply, and when. We also explore the importance of Information Security for local councils and what this means in practice.

The fee is £35 per online, trainer-led session

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Councillors: Social Media Skills

Social media provides councillors an 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. 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.

The fee is £35 per two-hour, online, trainer-led session

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How to Recruit and Retain a Diverse Pool of Councillors

How can you find and encourage a more diverse pool of people to stand or be co-opted as town or parish councillors? It is increasingly hard to find people who are willing to put their names forward either at election time or to be co-opted. We explore effective ways councils and councillors can engage people over time, building up their awareness and interest in the work of the council, in order to better promote and demystify the role of a councillor.

The fee is £35 per two-hour, online, trainer-led session

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