–
19 October 2026
You've been to many meetings in your working life but how are local council meetings different? Our two sessions provide you with the skills, tools, strategies & legal know-how for leading effective Parish and Town Council meetings.
Over these two sessions that have been specifically designed to give you the confidence and knowledge you need to have as Chair to your Council & to engage, support & encourage your Council members.
Attendees on this course will benefit from having two course tutors delivering the content between them, using examples from their knowledge & experiences of Councils.
Course content:
- Understanding the role and qualities required of the chair
- Understanding the role of the clerk and the importance of building a good working relationship with the clerk
- Legal specifics, such as voting, convening meetings, standing orders, signing minutes
- Preparing for a meeting - whether that's a virtual meeting or at your usual venue
- How to stimulate discussion and manage energy levels
- Managing difficult behaviours at a meeting
- Chairing a challenging meeting
- Dealing with public participation and speakers
- Knowing your council - assessing skills
- Getting the most from meetings (looking at decisions and actions, meeting reflection)
By the end of the two sessions, you will be confident in leading council meetings, understand the key procedures and get the most from your councillor colleagues and clerk.
Who Should Attend? This course is recommended for current Chairs, Vice-Chairs and aspiring Chairs.
Course Tutors:
- Ann C Wood LL.B., Cert. HE, DMS, PIALC, CouncilWise
Ann has worked as a parish clerk since 1996, with small, medium and large councils throughout the County. Over that period, she has also worked as a locum clerk and/or advisor to many other Essex Councils. She has worked as a tutor for the parish council sector and holds a C&G Certificate in training adults. Ann has been working for the last seven years as an Internal Auditor to councils of all sizes.
Ann is also a parish councillor at Black Notley Parish Council and has also been the Chair of the Council. Ann is the current Chair of the Greens Committee, Chair of the Personnel Committee and is the Emergency Planning representative. Ann is currently the Tree Warden for the parish of Black Notley. Ann has been a member of the ICCM for many years and is also a member of the Internal Audit Forum.
- Chair, Cllr Judith Farr
Judith was a civil servant with the Department of Work and Pensions, having worked there since she left university.
Judith has been Chair of Stebbing Parish Council since May 2019, along with other Councillors Judith was re-elected (uncontested) in 2023 and remains Chair of the Parish Council. Judith is on the Highways Committee, member of the Village Hall Committee, member of the Stebbing Neighbourhood Steering Group.
Judith is a regular volunteer in the Community Village Shop but also chair of the village shop committee.
Date of Courses & Location:
Set 1
2nd June – Session 1 – 10.00am – 4.00pm – Great Dunmow
9th June – Session 2 – 10.00am – 3.30pm – Great Dunmow
Set 2
19th October – Session 1 – 10.00am – 4.00pm – Great Dunmow
26th October – Session 2 – 10.00am – 3.30pm – Great Dunmow
A further set of Chairing with Confidence sessions will be added to the calendar for the Autumn.
Cost of Courses: CouncilWise Subscribers £90.00 + VAT per day / Non-Subscribers to CouncilWise £108.00 + VAT per day
A light lunch & refreshments will be provided on each day.
How to book: Please fill out the following booking form and send to- pearlwillcox@councilwise.co.uk.