Knowledge and Core Skills

This course is aimed at new councillors, or those that would like a refresher in the key aspects of being a town or parish councillor.

By the end of this session you will:

• Have a good understanding of your role as a councillor and the context in which you operate;
• Know the rules of what you must, or must not do, as a council, councillor, employer and financial manager;
• Understand the legislative and regulatory framework for councils, which will help you stick to the rules;
• Understand more about the structure of meetings and the protocols observed by councils;
• Know more about the role of the councillor as a representative and the two-way communication process between councils and residents;
• Have a toolkit to help you with being an effective councillor;
• Understand more about the structure of meetings and the protocols observed by councils;
• Understand the role of councillor as guardian of the public purse:
• Know the importance of, and the difference between, local council powers and duties;
• Understand the implications of the council’s role as an employer;
• Be confident in identifying when the council is best placed to make a decision, and when further research or support from another organisation is needed;
• Know more about the role of the councillor as a representative and the two-way communication process between councils and residents