Introduction to Planning

A basic introduction to planning including:

• What is planning

• Role of the Parish Council

• What is controlled by planning

• Types of planning applications

• Material and non-material planning considerations

• The Parish Council recommendation

• Planning conditions

• Developer contributions

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Understanding Precepts

Learn about what a precept is and how local councils receive it.  This session includes:

• What a precept is and how the Parish Council receives it

• What a Parish Council needs to do in preparation for setting it

• How a Parish Council can justify the money it seeks

• Who should be consulted

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Introduction to Local Council Administration (ILCA)

This online course is an introduction to the work of a local council, its councillors and the clerk. It provides an opportunity for a new clerk to study in their own time while they settle into their role.

This e-learning is offered by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). GAPTC also offers new clerk training delivered in person to small groups. More details on the member portal under 'events'.

£120 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Introduction to Local Council Finances (FiLCA)

This online course offers a learning tool to support all new Responsible Financial Officers (RFOs) or officers who have a financial element to their role. It comprehensively covers all aspects in five modules which are individually assessed to test your knowledge and understanding throughout.

This e-learning is offered by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). GAPTC also offer a range of financial management courses provided by The Parkinson Partnership. More details HERE.

£120 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Freedom of Information

Being able to access information held by public authorities is an important right in an open society. The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act gives a structure to the way information is accessed and disclosed in the public domain. Public authorities have to adhere to the Act and publish information correctly and deal with requests for information as outlined in the Act. This course effectively demonstrates the provisions of the FOI act using engaging case studies throughout. Both publishing information and requests for information are explained and discussed in-depth with examples and detailed case studies.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Data Protection Essentials

Every time we buy a product, sign up to a service or get a new job, we willingly hand over our personal information, placing our trust in countless companies to handle our data securely and responsibly, despite frequent news of hacks and data breaches. With technology now playing such an integral role in data management, it has been imperative that data protection laws evolve to reflect this. As a Council, the responsibility falls on you to keep data safe, secure and processed appropriately. As such, you need to know about, and comply with, current data protection regulations – the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 – to avoid serious legal consequences. This course will help you understand the aims and provisions of the UK's data protection legislation and offers essential, practical advice on how to make yourself compliant.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Fire Safety Essentials

Being able to access information held by public authorities is an important right in an open society. The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act gives a structure to the way information is accessed and disclosed in the public domain. Public authorities have to adhere to the Act and publish information correctly and deal with requests for information as outlined in the Act. This course effectively demonstrates the provisions of the FOI act using engaging case studies throughout. Both publishing information and requests for information are explained and discussed in-depth with examples and detailed case studies.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Health and Safety

Keeping your employees healthy and safe should be a major consideration for your organisation; to comply with the Health and Safety legislation and to make sure you have happy and healthy employees. All incidents and injuries in the workplace affect the well-being of your employees and the productivity of your organisation. There are many measures you could put in place to protect the physical and mental well-being of staff. This course discusses these measures and stresses the importance of health and safety to keep employees safe and healthy at work and at home.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Stress Management

Most people experience stress from time to time, and this isn't necessarily bad; stress is a natural response, but prolonged periods of stress can be harmful. There are many ways in which employees can reduce or avoid stress, and if experiencing stress already, there are approaches to follow to manage stress effectively. This highly interactive course helps employees prevent, reduce, and manage their stress levels, by providing a wide range of tools to deal with stress. This module has a short assessment at the end to check understanding.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Personal Safety

Personal safety awareness training is very effective in reducing violent and aggressive incidents in whether in the workplace, at Council meetings or beyond. You can benefit from this course's advice at work and in everyday situations. Throughout the course there are tips and strategies to be more safety conscious, to help minimise vulnerability and avoid situations and environments that might place at greater risk.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Customer Service Essentials

This interactive Customer Service Essentials course has been designed to help all those in customer handling roles, hone their skills in customer service excellence. This module has a short assessment at the end to check understanding. 

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Display Screen Equipment Assessment

Whether you're working in an office permanently or temporarily working from home due to Covid, an important element of Health and Safety in the workplace is the set up of your workstation and your posture. This course explores DSE use, posture and the set up of your workstation. There is a DSE assessment for you to complete and a video summarising the various adjustments you should make.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Equality and Diversity

Councils should be committed to equality of opportunity for everyone regardless of individual characteristics or differences. This course explores equality and diversity, harassment, discrimination and victimisation. It will look at your responsibilities to promote equality and diversity.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Modern Slavery

This course looks at the extent of modern slavery in the UK; how to spot the signs of a victim; what to watch out for as an employer and how to report concerns to ensure vulnerable people are identified and supported. This module has a short assessment at the end to check understanding. 

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.

Time Management

What's your best work avoidance tactic? Making coffee? Chatting? Watching squirrels in the car park? Ironically, the more we have to do, the better most of us get at avoiding it! Everyday demands and distractions often result in daily 'to-do' lists that exceed what we're physically capable of achieving in 24 hours, which leads to increased stress and anxiety at work. As time trickles on despite us, it becomes our responsibility to manage our workloads most effectively within the hours we have available. This course explores the principles and practicalities of effective time management; providing techniques and coping mechanisms to make you more productive and efficient at work, and by default, everyday life.

£17 per deligate, self-guided learning.