Training

We provide training at introductory and advanced levels, to ensure that individuals within your organisation have the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed.

Our training packages are tailored to you. We begin by understanding the gaps in your knowledge and address these through engaging, interactive sessions.

Training can be designed for groups or individuals and can be delivered on a one-off or ongoing basis.

Our Training team members have backgrounds in teaching and learning, so we combine the principles of effective pedagogy with subject expertise.

We have experience within our core team of delivering training for MHCLG, the LGA, CfGS and at national learning events.

Here are some of the core training packages that we offer.

  • Our Introduction to Planning course is designed to introduce members to the planning system in England and Wales and outline their role as consultees and decision-makers. It is suitable for all members, regardless of whether they sit on a planning committee.

    This interactive course will cover:

    • How the planning system works, including an overview of the NPPF and local planning policies

    • The purpose and layout of the Planning Portal

    • Probity in planning

    • Material considerations

    • How to navigate meeting agendas.

  • Our Advanced Planning course is intended for members of a planning committee who want to take better informed and more robust decisions.

    Advanced Planning will cover:

    • Advanced questioning skills

    • The appeals process and how to engage with the Planning Inspectorate

    • The construction of reasons for refusal/acceptance

    • Drafting and amending conditions.

  • Being the Planning Chair is a specialist programme for chairs of planning committees. It can be delivered on a one-on-one basis or as part of a group of all planning and sub-committee chairs. Areas of focus will likely include:

    • Working with officers

    • Managing members and the general public

    • Taking decisions on call-in requests and delegation

    • The role of site visits

    • Time management, during both committee and pre-meetings.

  • Our Introduction to Scrutiny course is designed to introduce members to the purpose of scrutiny and their role as scrutineers.

    This course will cover:

    • Scrutiny dos and don’ts

    • Making an impact

    • Understanding reports and data

    • The powers of the scrutiny committee.

  • The Advanced Scrutiny course is intended for experienced scrutiny members who want to become more impactful as scrutineers.

    Advanced Scrutiny will cover:

    • The role of Task and Finish groups

    • Advanced questioning skills

    • The Executive-Scrutiny Protocol

    • Engaging partner organisations in scrutiny.

  • Being the Scrutiny Chair is a specialist programme for chairs of scrutiny committees.

    It can be delivered on a one-to-one basis or as part of a group of all scrutiny committee chairs. It can also be tailored for combined authorites.

    Topics covered will likely include:

    • The role of a fair and enabling scrutiny chair

    • Defending the rights of the committee

    • Working with officers

    • Producing scrutiny’s annual report.