Officer Development Framework

Essential for new councillors in order to understand their responsibilities and for existing councillors wanting a refresher on the subject.

This course provides councillors, officers and employees an understanding for the need of internal controls and how they work, with practical examples and case studies.

There are currently no dates available for this course. Please check back again soon.

Implementing effective community engagement and building a sustainable approach to getting your messages across to the public.

There are currently no dates available for this course. Please check back again soon.

This course is designed to give councillors and clerks an understanding of what is involved in the development of a Neighbourhood Plan and associated documents such as Design Codes, with a view to enabling them to get started or review an existing plan.

This session is for offficers that are involved in procuring goods and services, preparing tenders, or entering into contracts on behalf of local councils.

This course explores 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. 

Canva is a versatile 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 for social media and websites as well as videos.

This course is for clerks/RFOs, employees in finance and councillors. The course explains how VAT rules affect local councils, whether they are VAT registered or reclaim VAT using Form 126. It's particularly important for councils contemplating major building projects.

Please note: this course is Optional in the CDF but it should be considered Intermediate for councillors on Finance Committees.

A crisis could strike at any time and be 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. Brealthrough Communications will take participants through the detail of preparing for any crisis. Passing on expert tips and guidance on being prepared and the effective steps your council could take should the worst happen.

This course is for clerks, finance staff and councillors who already understand the rules of VAT and explains when VAT cannot be reclaimed in relation to exempt activities and what options may be available.

It's ideal for councils that lease or hire out land and buildings such as village halls, community centres, meeting rooms, sports facilities or markets, who need to understand when their council is at risk of not being able to reclaim VAT and vital for any council contemplating major building projects, or incurring significant expenditure on running these facilities.

In part three of Data Protection & GDPR training for councils, Breakthrough Communications covers data subject rights and information security.

The course explains how to deal with data subject rights, including Subject Access Requests (SARs), and the steps to take to ensure you are compliant and able to consider what exemptions may apply. There is also an introduction to information security for local councils and what this means in practice.

This course is for clerks/RFOs and employees who want to understand how to prepare their council’s Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) and comply with the requirements of the audit process.

The course explains the role of the internal auditor, what to expect from them and how they provide assurance to a council that it has sound financial controls. It also explains how to appoint one.

This session does NOT cover exemption from audit or the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities. Please see the course, Year End & Transparency - councils under £25,000, for those topics.

This course is for clerks/RFOs and employees who want to understand how to prepare their council’s Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) and comply with the requirements of the audit process.

The course covers the stages of the AGAR approval and publishing as well as ensuring publication of the information required by the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities, compliance with the Accounts & Audit Regulations and exemption from audit.

In this course, Breakthrough Communications discuss practical techniques for managing difficult conversations and situations. 

Handling realtionships professionally is critical in local councils. It can, however, be tough dealing with challenging people and situations.

In this course, Breakthrough Communications provide councillors, officers and employees with an understanding of where our behaviour comes from, what resilience means in the context of council roles and how to build emotional intelligence.

Council-focused scenarios will be explored and how best to respond to each of them.

This course is aimed at new chairs and vice chairs of councils and committees and to those considering stepping into such roles. It can also act as a refresher to those already in post and with more experience.

The course is delivered in two parts; a video and, at a later date, an online session. There are a maximum of six places to ensure all of your questions are answered and important points thoroughly discussed.

This course explores how to build effective two-way relationships with journalists, how to write effective press releases and how to get regular coverage in your local and regional media.

From local newspapers and magazines to regional TV and radio, traditional media provides councils a platform to communicate with residents. Breakthrough Communications explains how to write effective press releases and how to get regular coverage in your local and regional media and how to build effective two-way relationships with journalists without being daunted.

Councils often find it challenging to connect with young people. This course will define "young people" and how to effectively reach and engage them, both on and offline.

Breakthrough Communications explores what is actually meant by the term "young people", the different groups within that terms and issues that matter to each. Insights on forming partnerships with local youth organisations will also be covered.

Recruiting passionate and engaged individuals to stand as councillors is becoming increasingly challenging. This course focuses on how to spark interest in your community for serving as a councillor.

Breakthrough Communications teach 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.

Councils often social media to connect with the communities. This course will explore the wide range of social media platforms available.

Breakthrough Communications will focus on how to get the most from key social media platforms, exploring ways of ensuring your social media output supports your council to achieve its goals and aims. You will also be introduced to social media advertising.

Social media is a great tool for councils to use to improve their communication. This course provides the basics so you can get started in  the right way.

Breakthrough Communications focus on the basics of Facebook, creating a social media strategy and time-saving tools and techniques. The aim is to make you and your council more confident using social media.

There are currently no dates available for this course. Please check back again soon.

This course is for councillors, clerks and employees, new and experienced, and explores what a local council can do when considering if a bad or unlawful planning decision has been made. 

Some people glide through their jam-packed days, ticking off tasks with the tempo of a teacher taking the morning register. Then there are the rest of us!

In-person events aimed at smaller parish councils in Dorset, providing topical updates and opportunities for networking at venues around the county.

Online events aimed at clerks of smaller parish councils and parish meetings in Dorset, providing topical updates and opportunities for networking.