welcome to

CouncilWise Training & Support
for Parish and Town Councils

Empowering Collaboration, embracing innovation, moving your Council forward – together

About Us

CouncilWise was founded by Ann Wood and Pearl Willcox, who bring nearly fifty years of combined experience in the unique sector of Parish and Town Councils. Their knowledge, professionalism and passion underpin everything CouncilWise does, committed to fostering collaborative working and promoting best practices across Councils to support effective governance and community impact.

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About Us

CouncilWise was founded by Ann Wood and Pearl Willcox, who bring nearly fifty years of combined experience in the unique sector of Parish and Town Councils. Their knowledge, professionalism and passion underpin everything CouncilWise does, committed to fostering collaborative working and promoting best practices across Councils to support effective governance and community impact.

our training offering

CouncilWise Training Programme

CouncilWise provides a comprehensive and flexible training programme designed to meet the evolving needs of Parish and Town Councils in Essex. Our training is delivered by specialist trainers and qualified tutors with extensive sector expertise, offering a variety of delivery methods to suit your Council’s needs

Face to Face Training

Held at our central location in Great Dunmow, Essex, these sessions provide hands-on learning and direct interaction with tutors

Flexible Online Courses

Delivered via Zoom, our flexible online courses allow participants to learn from anywhere, fitting training into busy schedules

Tailored Support

Customised training sessions to suit your Council’s specific needs- onsite, virtual, or one-to-one

Networking Opportunities

Beyond training, CouncilWise offers ongoing support to help Clerks, Officers, Chairs, and Councillors put their learning into practice with confidence. We facilitate networking opportunities such as Coffee Mornings, where they can share experiences, exchange knowledge, and build strong professional relationships.

Networking Opportunities

Beyond training, CouncilWise offers ongoing support to help Clerks, Officers, Chairs, and Councillors put their learning into practice with confidence. We facilitate networking opportunities such as Coffee Mornings, where they can share experiences, exchange knowledge, and build strong professional relationships.

what people are saying

Hear From Our Recent Delegates

Below are testimonials from those highlighting their experiences with CouncilWise:

finchingfield pc
I learnt so much today. A very enjoyable and well delivered course. I am very appreciative of the time, preparation, and effort you clearly invested in creating a learning environment that was both engaging and supportive for participants, while ensuring the published agenda was thoroughly covered.

mark nicholls, finchingfield parish council

bradfield
I found the training course extremely helpful and informative. It emphasised how significantly the operation of Parish Councils has evolved since I first became involved more than 30 years ago.

cllr sue cunningham, bradfield parish council

little bardfield logo 2026
I found the online course very engaging- we were given the chance to ask direct questions to the tutor without feeling rushed. We also got to hear experiences from other Councils, which makes it feel very relatable and gives that piece of mind that we all learn something new everyday!

Sophie blair-wolker, little bardfield parish council

loighton 2
I found the Basic Tree Inspection and Survey Course very useful, with the knowledge highly relevant to my day-to-day work. The workbook provided is an excellent source of information, which explains things very clearly and I found the discussion-based scenarios especially valuable and fun. They offered a practical way to learn what to look for and how to carry out a survey and risk assess.

deborah taylor, loughton town council

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

CouncilWise Subscription

While all Councils can benefit from the training programme and valuable networking opportunities provided by CouncilWise, a subscription offers additional levels of support. Subscribers can benefit from expert guidance, practical resources, sector updates, and ongoing support designed to help Councils operate with confidence and make informed decisions.

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Expert Guidance

Receive tailored expert advice that addresses your specific challenges, helping you make informed decisions confidently.

Cost-Effective Training

Enjoy reduced training costs through subscription discounts, making professional development more accessible and affordable.

Vibrant Community

Connect with a diverse community of professionals who share similar challenges, fostering collaboration and mutual growth.

Unlock Your Council’s Potential With CouncilWise

Get in touch with the us today

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