Dates:

• Saturday 6th December 2025: 10am - 11am

Course Description

Being a parish/town council chair is an important, complex and unique role. The aim of these informal sessions is to provide an opportunity for chairs to get together and discuss experiences and share learning. The session will be facilitated by Parish Councillor Darren Cranshaw who has chaired Brindle Parish Council in Chorley for the last 18 years and has chaired LALC for a number of years. Professionally Darren works in local government in the governance arena and involved as a school governor and is a trustee for a number of local organisations. There is no set agenda for the network, we will be guided about what chairs wish to discuss and what might help them in their role and their council. BOOK ONE DATE ONLY

Dates:

• 19 January 2026 18.30
• 10 March 2026 18.30

Course Description

The effective chairing of meetings is a good skill for a councillor to have. This session is for councillors that have been recently elected. It is also aimed at those wanting a refresher. During the session we will consider how to effectively prepare for meetings. How to get the most out of the meetings you chair and dealing with tricky situations.

Dates:

• 12 December 2025 09.30
• 2026
• 23 January 10.00 30 March 10.30

Course Description

This course examines the obligations of local councils regarding Freedom of Information (FOI). We discuss the necessary policies and procedures. How your council could ensure awareness among officers and councillors about FOI. Consider the steps to follow when managing an FOI request including the use of exemptions.

Dates:

• 7 January 10.00 3 March 10.00

Course Description

Canva is a design tool that can be used for free. It allows you to quickly create posters, newsletters, and other physical documents. You can also create images and videos for social media and websites. This session is for people who have never used Canva before. We will go through the basics and show you how to get the most out of the free version. Our goal is to get you started with Canva and to help your Council to communicate better.

Dates:

• 21 January 10.00 18 March 10.00

Course Description

During the session we will focus on the advanced features of Canva. This session is for experienced users of it. In part 2 of our Canva training we will show you how your Council can get more out of it. For instance, creating complex designs and a brand for your Council. We will also cover integrating Canva with social media. There will be a particular focus on creating social media videos and using the scheduling tools.

*** New dates coming soon ***

Course Description

*** New dates coming soon ***

Course Description

Dates:

• 13 January 2026, 19.00

Course Description

This 2 hour online course is designed for new Councillors and Clerks. It describes the role of the Parish Council, its powers, responsibilities and purpose. The course will set out in some detail how Councillors should behave, how meetings are conducted, how the Council raises money, the rules surrounding how decisions are taken to spend it, and the need for transparency in conducting its business.

*** New dates coming soon ***

Course Description

*** New dates coming soon ***

Course Description

Dates:

• 11 December 2025 10am
• 29 January 2026 6.30pm 10 February 2026 10am

Course Description

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 and Accountability Return • Internal and external audit • 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 • Recognise the importance of internal controls • Understand how VAT law applies to your council

Dates:

• 10 December 2025 10am 28 January 2026 10am 04 March at 10am

Course Description

This session gives councillors and officers an understanding of the need for internal controls and how they work, with practical examples and case studies. Topics include: • Roles and responsibilities • Financial risks • Purpose of internal controls • Case studies • Examples of controls • Review of internal controls By the end of this session you will: • Understand the council's and RFO's duties regarding internal control • Be aware of the purpose of internal controls • Be able to identify examples of internal controls • Know when to review internal controls

New dates coming soon

Course Description

This session is aimed at officers of parish and town councils, who are involved in preparing and monitoring their council's budgets. Topics include: • setting a budget and precept • Contingencies and reserves • how the council tax base affects the budget • Inflation • budget monitoring By the end of this session you will: • Understand how and when to prepare a budget • Know how to approve and issue a precept • Be aware of the factors that affect a budget • Understand how to manage a budget

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Dates:

• 14 October at 10am | 6 November at 10am

Course Description

This session is aimed at officers of parish and town councils, who are involved in preparing and monitoring their council's budgets. Topics include: • setting a budget and precept • Contingencies and reserves • how the council tax base affects the budget • Inflation • budget monitoring By the end of this session you will: • Understand how and when to prepare a budget • Know how to approve and issue a precept • Be aware of the factors that affect a budget • Understand how to manage a budget

Dates:

• 18 February 2026 10.00

Course Description

Topics include: • legislation and guidance • Roles and responsibilities • Internal controls • how the council appoints an internal auditor • Scope of internal audit • Reviewing internal control • Internal audit reports Session benefits: By the end of this session you will: • Understand the purpose of internal audit • Be aware of relevant legislation and sources of guidance • Understand how a council should appoint an internal auditor • Recognise the importance of internal controls • Be aware of the need to review effectiveness

Dates:

• 8 December 2025 18.30
• 2026
• 22 January 18.00 16 February 18.00 23 March 18.00

Course Description

It’s important for any councillor to grasp how data protection laws relate to your role. This is true for new as well as longer serving councillors. This session clarifies a councillor’s legal responsibilities to themself and the council. We will guide you on the right procedures and best practice. We will also introduce Freedom of Information and the implications it has for councillors.

Dates:

• 2026
• 12 January 09,30 26 January 18.30 3 February 09.30 2 March 13.00

Course Description

The legislative landscape is constantly changing. It is important that councils have the most up-to-date understanding of data protection legislation. They should also have a good grasp of their data protection obligations. This introductory session walks councils through the theory and core principles of UK GDPR and other relevant legislation. We will explain what policies, practices and processes local councils need to have in place.

Dates:

• 2026
• 19 January 09.30 9 February 10.30 10 February 18.30 9 March 13.00

Course Description

 This session deep dives into how councils demonstrate accountability with UK GDPR. We consider the different lawful bases for the processing of personal data. We will also delve deeper into how to create the policies and documents required for local councils. We will explore the requirements of the published Privacy Notice, how to create Legitimate Interest Assessments and Data Protection Impact Assessments.

Dates:

• 2 February 2026 10.00

Course Description

Every local council should have a communications strategy. It should set out its communications priorities, aims and goals. In this session, we will consider how your council could create an effective communication strategy. One that is sustainable and supports your council. A strategy that considers 

your council’s human and financial resources.

Dates:

• 5 January 2026 10.00 2 March 2026 10.00

Course Description

This session will focus on putting your council’s communication plan into action. On how your council could connect with the community it represents. We will consider the ways your councils can communicate effectively and build conversations. We will equip you with tools and techniques to start engaging and getting messages across.

Dates:

• 13 January 2026 09.30 5 March 2026 13.00

Course Description

Recruiting passionate and engaged individuals to stand as councillors is becoming increasingly challenging. This session focuses on how to effectively connect with your community to spark interest in serving as a councillor. You'll learn strategies to raise awareness about the vital role of the council and its councillors, build relationships with key stakeholders, and inspire people to get involved. By the end of the session, you'll have practical tools to promote the work of the council, highlight the rewards of being a councillor, and encourage community members to consider stepping forward.

Dates:

• 5 February 2026 09.30

Course Description

Councils often find it challenging to connect with young people. In this session, we will define "young people." Consider the issues important to ‘young people.’ Explore effective ways to engage online and offline. We will also offer insights on forming partnerships with local youth organisations.

Dates:

• 22 January 2026 09.30 17 March 2026 10am

Course Description

A crisis could strike at any point. Anything from flooding to a meeting going viral. There are many ways in which you could find yourself in the eye of the media storm. This session takes participants through the detail of preparing for any crisis. Passing on expert tips and guidance on being prepared. On the effective steps your council could take should the worst happen.

Dates:

• 12 February 2026 10.00

Course Description

Social media is a great tool for councils to use to improve their communication. In this session you will learn the basics and how to get started right. We will focus on creating a social media strategy and the basics of Facebook. Our goal is to share with you time-saving tools and techniques. Hopefully, this will help you and your council to be more confident using social media.
 

Dates:

• 26 February 2026 10.00

Course Description

 Councils often use different social media platforms to connect with the community. This session explores a wide range of social media platforms. There will be a focus on how to get the most from key social media platforms. Exploring the ways of ensuring that social media supports your council to achieve its goals and aims. We will also introduce you to social media advertising.
 

Dates:

• 2 February 2026 18.30

Course Description

It has never been more important for councillors to understand social media. In the session we will go through the confusing world of social media communications. It is designed for both social media users and those new to it. During the session you will learn where to focus your time and effort. We will point out the pitfalls. Consider difficult situations. Most importantly we will help you as a councillor to get the most from social media. 

Dates:

• 15 January 2026 10.00 5 March 2026 10.00

Course Description

This a practical workshop to help you thrive in your council role. We provide council officers and councillors with an understanding of where our behaviour comes from, we consider what resilience means in the context of our council roles and how to build emotional intelligence. We'll explore council-focused scenarios and how best to respond to each of them.


 

Dates:

• 27 January 2026 10.00 4 February 2026 10.00 11 March 2026 10am

Course Description

Handling professional relationships within local councils is critical. However, it can be tough dealing with challenging people and situations. In this session, we discuss practical techniques for managing difficult conversations and situations. 

Dates:

• 17 October 09.30 | 05 December 09.30

Course Description

In this session we consider how to deal with data subject rights requests, including Subject Access Requests (SARs). We explore the steps to take to ensure you are compliant. Consider what exemptions may apply. There is also an introduction to information security for local councils and what this means in practice.

Dates:

• 24 October 09.30 | 12 December 09.30

Course Description

This course examines the obligations of local councils regarding Freedom of Information (FOI). We discuss the necessary policies and procedures. How your council could ensure awareness among officers and councillors about FOI. Consider the steps to follow when managing an FOI request including the use of exemptions.

Dates:

• 10 February 2026 09.30

Course Description

This session will explore what brand identity means for parish and town councils, why it matters, and how to create a clear and consistent identity that reflects your council’s purpose and values. 


 

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description

Registration on this course will last 12 months. Register and receive an access link by emailing training@lalc.org.uk

Course Description