Future Local Lab
Local Government Explained
A well-written report does more than inform. It builds an evidence-backed case, guides the reader through the arguments to recommendations, and makes it easy for decision-makers to act.
This practical, skills-focused training will take you through every stage of the report writing process.
Key outcomes
- Build a clear framework for planning and structuring business and committee/cabinet reports.
- Gain the confidence to write neutrally and clearly.
- Learn practical techniques for making dense information readable.
- Feel confident reviewing and editing a report.
- Develop a working understanding of grammar and punctuation.
This session will cover:
- What makes a good report – and the most common mistakes.
- Planning and organising your report before you write a single word.
- Understanding your audience and tailoring accordingly.
- Structuring reports correctly and ensuring they comply with your council’s template or guidelines.
- Writing clearly: plain English, active voice, appropriate sentence length and the Fog Scale.
- Punctuation that works – commas, semi-colons, apostrophes and more
- Proofing with precision.
Who should attend?
This session is ideal for local government staff who write reports and want to raise the quality and impact of their work by focusing on clarity, structure and accuracy.
Trainer
Miranda Smythe
LGIU Trainer
Miranda Smythe has 30 years of experience helping organisations (mainly local governments) identify learning gaps and develop tailored, creative strategies to address their goals. Miranda is also involved in local community development activities and provides mental health awareness sessions for many not-for-profit organisations. She is chair of a local homelessness charity and has been instrumental in developing and facilitating community leadership initiatives in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
