Upcoming Events
Avon Local Councils' Association
Understanding Your Council
ALCA MEMBERS - LOGIN TO THE WEBSITE BEFORE BOOKING TO GET YOUR 50% DISCOUNT!
PLEASE NOTE
The Essential Councillor and Planning in Plain English sessions can be delivered at your venue for all the councillors (or up to 15 participants if you are working with other councils).
Dates can be booked at your convenience with the trainer. Flat fee of £275 + travel.
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Thu 8 Feb 2024 6:30 pm |
| Event End Date | Thu 8 Feb 2024 8:30 pm |
| Cut off date | Thu 8 Feb 2024 5:00 pm |
| Registered | 9 |
| Available Place | 11 |
| Individual Price | £40 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Wed 10 Apr 2024 6:30 pm |
| Event End Date | Wed 10 Apr 2024 8:30 pm |
| Registered | 14 |
| Available Place | 6 |
| Individual Price | £40 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Wed 17 Jul 2024 6:15 pm |
| Event End Date | Wed 17 Jul 2024 8:15 pm |
| Registered | 15 |
| Available Place | 3 |
| Individual Price | £40 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Thu 12 Sep 2024 6:15 pm |
| Event End Date | Thu 12 Sep 2024 8:15 pm |
| Registered | 16 |
| Available Place | 2 |
| Individual Price | £45 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
In this 1 hour lecture, Simon Pritchard (SALC Training Officer) will introduce Code of Conduct, simplify and explain all the key elements, with particular attention to Declaration of Interests.
Topics to include:
- The Code of Conduct (based on LGA Code of Conduct)
- Declaration of Interests
- The Standards Regime
- Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
- Personal/Prejudicial Interests
- Bias and Pre-determination
- Standards complaints and sanctions
Suitable for:
- All councillors no matter what their experience
- New councillors should have untaken this session within the first 6-months.
- Longer serving councillors should re-fresh their knowledge regularly as required by the Code of Conduct
- Also, a popular event for Clerks / Officers
| Event Date | Mon 11 Nov 2024 6:00 pm |
| Event End Date | Mon 11 Nov 2024 7:15 pm |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 10 |
| Individual Price | £25 for members |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
In this 1 hour lecture, Simon Pritchard (SALC Training Officer) will introduce Code of Conduct, simplify and explain all the key elements, with particular attention to Declaration of Interests.
Topics to include:
- The Code of Conduct (based on LGA Code of Conduct)
- Declaration of Interests
- The Standards Regime
- Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
- Personal/Prejudicial Interests
- Bias and Pre-determination
- Standards complaints and sanctions
Suitable for:
- All councillors no matter what their experience
- New councillors should have untaken this session within the first 6-months.
- Longer serving councillors should re-fresh their knowledge regularly as required by the Code of Conduct
- Also, a popular event for Clerks / Officers
| Event Date | Wed 13 Nov 2024 6:00 pm |
| Event End Date | Wed 13 Nov 2024 7:15 pm |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 6 |
| Individual Price | £25 for members |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
In this 1 hour lecture, Simon Pritchard (SALC Training Officer) will introduce Code of Conduct, simplify and explain all the key elements, with particular attention to Declaration of Interests.
Topics to include:
- The Code of Conduct (based on LGA Code of Conduct)
- Declaration of Interests
- The Standards Regime
- Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
- Personal/Prejudicial Interests
- Bias and Pre-determination
- Standards complaints and sanctions
Suitable for:
- All councillors no matter what their experience
- New councillors should have untaken this session within the first 6-months.
- Longer serving councillors should re-fresh their knowledge regularly as required by the Code of Conduct
- Also, a popular event for Clerks / Officers
| Event Date | Mon 2 Dec 2024 1:00 pm |
| Event End Date | Mon 2 Dec 2024 2:15 pm |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 9 |
| Individual Price | £25 for members |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
Course content:
- Understanding the legislation around quoracy
- Managing inquoracy
- What is a dispensation
- Dispensation Criteria
- The process of granting dispensations
- Legal and operational considerations
| Event Date | Tue 10 Dec 2024 11:00 am |
| Event End Date | Tue 10 Dec 2024 12:20 pm |
| Registered | 7 |
| Available Place | 8 |
| Individual Price | £30 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Tue 17 Dec 2024 6:15 pm |
| Event End Date | Tue 17 Dec 2024 8:15 pm |
| Registered | 21 |
| Available Place | 3 |
| Individual Price | £45 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
In this 1 hour lecture, Simon Pritchard (SALC Training Officer) will introduce Code of Conduct, simplify and explain all the key elements, with particular attention to Declaration of Interests.
Topics to include:
- The Code of Conduct (based on LGA Code of Conduct)
- Declaration of Interests
- The Standards Regime
- Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
- Personal/Prejudicial Interests
- Bias and Pre-determination
- Standards complaints and sanctions
Suitable for:
- All councillors no matter what their experience
- New councillors should have untaken this session within the first 6-months.
- Longer serving councillors should re-fresh their knowledge regularly as required by the Code of Conduct
- Also, a popular event for Clerks / Officers
| Event Date | Mon 3 Feb 2025 10:00 am |
| Event End Date | Mon 3 Feb 2025 11:15 am |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 12 |
| Individual Price | £25 for members |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Thu 6 Mar 2025 6:15 pm |
| Event End Date | Thu 6 Mar 2025 8:15 pm |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 21 |
| Individual Price | £45 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Tue 22 Apr 2025 6:15 pm |
| Event End Date | Tue 22 Apr 2025 8:15 pm |
| Registered | 13 |
| Available Place | 8 |
| Individual Price | £45 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Thu 26 Jun 2025 6:15 pm |
| Event End Date | Thu 26 Jun 2025 8:15 pm |
| Registered | 22 |
| Available Place | 0 |
| Individual Price | £45 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Thu 25 Sep 2025 6:15 pm |
| Event End Date | Thu 25 Sep 2025 8:15 pm |
| Registered | 14 |
| Available Place | 8 |
| Individual Price | £45 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
Why attend?
From 2025/26, Assertion 10 will be under greater scrutiny in the AGAR process. For Clerks, this isn’t just another tick-box — it’s about protecting yourself and your council from avoidable risks.
This session will give you the confidence to identify what matters most, deal with immediate issues, and show auditors that you’re in control.
What we’ll cover
- Assertion 10 in Plain English – what it means for Clerks and why it’s your “safety net”
- Digital Readiness – Windows 10 end-of-support, IT inventories, preparing devices for Windows 11 and developing policies for the future
- Websites & Transparency – accessibility duties, scanned vs. live PDFs, and using Silktide to run your own checks
- Quick Wins – simple, low-cost steps that reduce risk immediately
Interactive elements
- Live polls and quizzes to test knowledge and spark discussion
- A demonstration of the Silktide accessibility checker in action
-
Practical examples: scanned vs. live PDF, accessibility statement updates
Takeaways
✔ Clerk-friendly Accessibility Checklist
✔ Model Accessibility Statement (ready to adapt)
✔ IT inventory starter sheet
✔ Certificate of Attendance (for CPD/evidence)
| Event Date | Thu 9 Oct 2025 10:30 am |
| Event End Date | Thu 9 Oct 2025 11:40 am |
| Cut off date | Wed 8 Oct 2025 11:50 pm |
| Registered | 25 |
| Available Place | 15 |
| Individual Price | £15 for members |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
Why attend?
From 2025/26, Assertion 10 will be under greater scrutiny in the AGAR process. For Clerks, this isn’t just another tick-box — it’s about protecting yourself and your council from avoidable risks.
This session will give you the confidence to identify what matters most, deal with immediate issues, and show auditors that you’re in control.
What we’ll cover
- Assertion 10 in Plain English – what it means for Clerks and why it’s your “safety net”
- Digital Readiness – Windows 10 end-of-support, IT inventories, preparing devices for Windows 11 and developing policies for the future
- Websites & Transparency – accessibility duties, scanned vs. live PDFs, and using Silktide to run your own checks
- Quick Wins – simple, low-cost steps that reduce risk immediately
Interactive elements
- Live polls and quizzes to test knowledge and spark discussion
- A demonstration of the Silktide accessibility checker in action
-
Practical examples: scanned vs. live PDF, accessibility statement updates
Takeaways
✔ Clerk-friendly Accessibility Checklist
✔ Model Accessibility Statement (ready to adapt)
✔ IT inventory starter sheet
✔ Certificate of Attendance (for CPD/evidence)
| Event Date | Tue 14 Oct 2025 3:00 pm |
| Event End Date | Tue 14 Oct 2025 4:10 pm |
| Cut off date | Mon 13 Oct 2025 11:50 pm |
| Registered | 22 |
| Available Place | 18 |
| Individual Price | £15 for members |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
Why attend?
Compliance with Assertion 10 isn’t just about devices and websites — it’s also about how councillors communicate, how your council prepares for future governance changes, and how you can build a solid evidence base.
This session looks beyond the basics, helping Clerks manage risk from councillor behaviour, adapt to upcoming reforms, and put systems in place that demonstrate compliance with confidence.
What we’ll cover
- Councillor Communications – personal emails, FOI/SAR risks, and moving to council domains
- Governance for the Future – remote meetings, proxy voting, and how digital readiness underpins these changes
- Building Your Compliance Map – practical steps to evidence Assertion 10, from data mapping to annual reviews
Interactive elements
-
Case study: an FOI request nightmare when councillors use personal email
-
Polls and quizzes to spark discussion on governance and digital risks
-
Practical walkthrough: what a simple compliance map looks like in action
Takeaways
✔ Model Councillor Email & FOI Policy Points
✔ Template Data Compliance Map (starter version)
✔ Quick-win checklist for “evidence you can show auditors”
✔ Certificate of Attendance (for CPD/evidence)
| Event Date | Wed 26 Nov 2025 10:30 am |
| Event End Date | Wed 26 Nov 2025 11:30 am |
| Cut off date | Wed 26 Nov 2025 11:50 pm |
| Registered | 8 |
| Available Place | 32 |
| Individual Price | £15 for members |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
Why attend?
Compliance with Assertion 10 isn’t just about devices and websites — it’s also about how councillors communicate, how your council prepares for future governance changes, and how you can build a solid evidence base.
This session looks beyond the basics, helping Clerks manage risk from councillor behaviour, adapt to upcoming reforms, and put systems in place that demonstrate compliance with confidence.
What we’ll cover
- Councillor Communications – personal emails, FOI/SAR risks, and moving to council domains
- Governance for the Future – remote meetings, proxy voting, and how digital readiness underpins these changes
- Building Your Compliance Map – practical steps to evidence Assertion 10, from data mapping to annual reviews
Interactive elements
-
Case study: an FOI request nightmare when councillors use personal email
-
Polls and quizzes to spark discussion on governance and digital risks
-
Practical walkthrough: what a simple compliance map looks like in action
Takeaways
✔ Model Councillor Email & FOI Policy Points
✔ Template Data Compliance Map (starter version)
✔ Quick-win checklist for “evidence you can show auditors”
✔ Certificate of Attendance (for CPD/evidence)
| Event Date | Mon 1 Dec 2025 10:30 am |
| Event End Date | Mon 1 Dec 2025 11:30 am |
| Cut off date | Wed 26 Nov 2025 11:50 pm |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 40 |
| Individual Price | £15 for members |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
The essential course for new and experienced councillors on all the up to date duties and powers of a local council in this fast paced modern world. The role of Local Councils in modern government, their duties and powers, Councillors and the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, DPI's and involvement in meetings, etc., the Clerks responsibilities, the Chairman's role, the latest updates on legislation and much more!!
| Event Date | Tue 13 Jan 2026 6:15 pm |
| Event End Date | Tue 13 Jan 2026 8:15 pm |
| Cut off date | Mon 12 Jan 2026 11:00 pm |
| Registered | 1 |
| Available Place | 21 |
| Individual Price | £45 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
Course content:
-
Quoracy:
- Definitions of Quoracy
- Legislation and Guidance on Quoracy
- Measuring Quorum for your Local Council
- Exceptions to the Rule
- Corporate Inquoracy
- Managing Inquorate Meetings
- The Flies in the Ointment
- Dispensation
- What is a dispensation?
- Conflicts of interest
- Dispensation Criteria
- The process for granting dispensations
- Examples and Case Studies
- Applying Dispensation in Practice
- Documents and resources
| Event Date | Tue 27 Jan 2026 11:00 am |
| Event End Date | Tue 27 Jan 2026 12:15 pm |
| Cut off date | Mon 26 Jan 2026 10:00 pm |
| Registered | 0 |
| Available Place | 15 |
| Individual Price | £22.50 for members |
| Location | Zoom |
| Categories | Understanding Your Council |
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