A message from our Chief Executive Jonathan Carr-West to all new councillors (and any who need a refresher) on how LGIU is here to help you.

Written by serving councillors, LGIU’s guide for new councillors includes all the areas you need to get to grips with in your first days and weeks.  You’ll need to register to get access but that’s free and only takes a minute.

For LGIU Members  – check out our essential guide to Overview and Scrutiny

Our primers on key service areas in local government can get you up to speed quick on issues such as local government finance, social care, housing and more. (Members only)

John Hart, a former councillor at Durham, writes about his experience, offers tips on getting things done and tells new councillors to get ready to be cared at loudly.

James Cousins, a former councillor in Wandsworth, tells councillors to learn all they can including how to say yes.

Chris Hayes, a former councillor in Kingston, tells new councillors about the importance of planning and teamwork.

Our extensive range of training packages can be delivered in-house to councillors and officers and tailored to your specific needs. Find out more.

Two evenings sessions (12 July and 21 September)

As a new councillor finding your feet, how do you plan to make your mark? What are the different ‘roles’ that you as a councillor might focus on, to do the most for your community?

These two, 2-hour evening online sessions will help you consider your role and priorities. More information and booking link

1 July

This is an essential course for Members who need to be able to read and summarise information from written text faster and more effectively.  The seminar focuses on the different types of reading styles and encourages better retention of written material through the use of specific techniques. This course pairs well with Memory Skills. More information and booking link.

1 July

This is a highly interactive session that has been developed for Councillors and Officers who want to improve their ability to store and retain information.

During the programme, there are a number of practical activities which demonstrate the techniques being taught.  At the close of the two hours, participants will be able to recall a list of 53 items, in a specific order.

This course pairs well with Speed reading and retention. More information and booking link. 

Module 1: Advanced Communication Skills:

5 July 2021: 18:30-20:30

This is a highly participative and engaging session that will reinforce some of the existing skills that delegates have learnt, and add value through the introduction of new elements including:

• Understanding our own communication preferences
• Matching and mirroring techniques
• Fast rapport building strategies
• Chunking – how to change the level at which a person processes information
• Advanced questioning skills
• Enhanced listening skills
• Non-verbal behaviour
• Communication predicates
• Making use of powerful language

Module 2: The Persuasive Councillor: 

13 July 2021: 18:30-20:30

In this module, we will be exploring the skills associated with persuading and influencing – a key skill that Councillors use every day as part of their role.

Highlights of this session will include:

• The 4P’s of Persuasion
• How to put a proposition
• Negotiating techniques
• Overcoming objections
• Developing a win-win outcome
• Deadlock and negotiation breakdowns.

Module 3: Conflict Resolution and Mediation: 

21 July 2021: 18:30-20:30

Conflict can be hard to manage and this session has been developed to provide Councillors with strategies for defusing difficult situations, and ideas for unpicking the positions that individuals may adopt.

Key learning points from the session will include:

• Identifying what the conflict is about
• Understanding behavioural motivations
• Distraction techniques
• How to stand one’s ground gracefully
• Using mediation skills between unhappy parties.

To find out more and to book