Suitable for Chairs, Vice Chairs and aspiring chairs. This course demonstrates to councillors the secrets of effective preparation AND how to manage challenging Committee dynamics.  It is 2 hours, delivered at your Council offices and is very interactive and practical.  We also provide 1-1 coaching for Chairs (e.g. of Planning, Scrutiny or Council) if required

Members need to know:

(a) what IS and IS NOT their role in helping to resolve individual and community needs

(b) how to work effectively with officers and other partners and

(c) how to maximise their chances of success

This lively, 2 hour course will introduce members to the 'Advocates toolkit' tailor made for busy councillors with who want to hone their casework skills

This course is bespoke to your members' needs and can include a range of topics e.g.

(a) Effective use of committee time

(b) Questioning skills

(c) Avoiding the 'deadly sins' of committee membership

(d) Understanding pre-determination 'et al'

(e) 'Overturns'  etc.

Call us for a chat and we will design a course for your members

Link is approved by the National Association of Civic Officers (NACO) to provide 1-1 coaching for your new first citizen and deputy

We offer a half day or full day programme looking at the key issues likely to be encountered by your new first citizen - including chairing full Council - and managing public engagements.  Ask for our brochure

A thoughtful approach delivered by someone with over 30 years' experience in the business

Councillors risk a great deal by (a) not understanding how to safely harness the benefits of using social media to communicate effectively (b) whilst managing the risks associated with increased exposure to public comment.  This session will show members how to do both  

This is a 2 hour session delivered at your Council offices.  It is not aimed at 'technical geeks' but members who want to better understand the power and risks of this technology and the practicalities of safe but effective engagement with social media

Whether you are looking to 'upskill' members to probe information and/ or produce high 'value adding' recomendations, we have the course for you.  Link has supported many councils to provide:

• Induction training for new and returning members
• Coaching support for Chairs and Vice Chairs
• Support to topic selection and scoping work
• Implementation of high value adding Task and Finish reviews
• Support for the use of our pioneering approach to 'Rapid Reviews' to generate quick wins for scrutiny and the Council
• Strategic reviews, change plans and implementation to refresh and renew the Council's approach to scrutiny
• Support to raise awareness of whether and how to use (and manage) the Scrutiny 'Call-In' process

Hands up who finds this topic easy?  Our plain talking - highly qualified - finance trainer will use 'Plain Language' to ensure that councillors grasp the basics so that they are effective on their Committees and can play a key role when it comes to (e.g.) constructing or scrutinising a budget.  We offer a number of courses for members within this topic so please ask for our list or call us for a chat

This seminar invites members to reflect on issues such as unconcious bias and use of language to support councillors in their desire to avoid direct or indirect discrimination.  This will be a lively session with practical examples of how members can embed positive attitudes and inclusive practices into their everyday interactions with others

Members can relax as this session doesnt involve filming and 'role play'.  But it will help members to understand (a) what to do when the media calls on them and (b) strategies to proactively improve their media presence as an effective method of communicating to a wider audience  

P.S We DO provide filming and interview preparation training as a separate bespoke course so please feel free to ask us about this if appropriate

Councillors often find themselves on the 'front line' of community tension whether it is over controversial local issues or national politics.  This seminar helps members to prevent, reduce and manage potential risks in a range of scenarios so that they stay safe, effective and resilient

This is session is bespoke to your Council and will also help officers to re-evaluate the level of support provided to members to maintain members' well-being safety and resilience.  We also provide 1-1 coaching for lead members whose responsibilities include the public management of controversial issues

A memorable 2 hour session for councillors who want to build confidence and impact whilst speaking in a variety of public scenarios (Chamber, community meetings, conferences)

Lots of tips on how to construct a great short speech and deliver it in a contemporary style to great effect

This course will help councillors to understand their options (and available powers) to deal with a range of controversial local issues from fly-tipping to litter and graffiti.  A lively 2 hour session delivered by a seasoned community campaigner and former councillor

We design and deliver a large range of bespoke courses for our clients so it is really worth calling us if you don't see the course for your members listed here 

A SAMPLE OF 'OTHER COURSES'

SPEED READING to improve members' reading rate without loss of comprehension

TIME MANAGEMENT and PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS to achieve more within the day AND the term of office - whilst managing a healthy work life balance

COACHING SUPPORT for councillors in DISPUTE (pre-Standards Committee) and 'Decision Notice' coaching for members following the decision of a Standards Committee 

COACHING SUPPORT for members whose first language is not English

AND MUCH MUCH MORE.  Ask and we shall deliver!