Training and networks for councillors
Whether it be local government reorganisation, devolution or a more general programme of change, councils are constantly transforming to improve efficiency, increase effectiveness and meet the ever-evolving needs of their residents.
To help councils rise to these challenges, the LGA has a range of offers, including the Councillor Transformation Network and Transformation Leadership Essentials.
The Councillor Transformation Network has been running since 2024 and is a space for councillors to network, discuss issues and trends affecting councils, and hear from each other and guests on new policies, programmes and practices.
Since its inception, we have heard from speakers on a variety of topics, including entrepreneurship, culture change, artificial intelligence (AI), whole council transformation, and the art of the possible.
As chair of the network, I am always interested in growing the network further and hearing from new speakers about the transformation taking place in their council.
Whether you are doing something innovative, have some knowledge you would like to share, or even if you would like some advice from the members of the network, we would love to hear from you.
If you don’t have anything you’d like to share with the network just yet, you are welcome to join the network as a space to listen in to our speakers and ask questions of your fellow councillors.
The Councillor Transformation Network meets quarterly online and is open to all councillors.
Its next meeting – on 20 October – will focus on the use of AI to improve outcomes in provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
To join the network, please fill in our expression of interest form or email transformation@local.gov.uk.
The LGA is also running a councillor network focused on local government reorganisation, which has its inaugural meeting on 7 October – see the LGA websiteto join up.
If you are looking to improve your skills and learn more about transformation, applications are now open for the LGA’s Transformation Leadership Essentials course. It aims to give councillors the confidence, capability and awareness to shape and lead the transformation agenda within their authorities and local areas.
I attended the course in 2025, keen to increase my knowledge of change programmes and to network with – and learn from – colleagues from across the country.
I learned more about the different roles councillors hold in this space, the importance of being a transformational leader and the value of good scrutiny of transformation.
Overall, the course gave me a better understanding of transformation, not just conceptually but practically, and has helped me embed change in my council.
Whether you are an experienced member looking to brush up on your skills or a newer member unsure of where to start on your transformation journey, I would highly recommend this course to help you to transform your council and support your residents.
The next Transformation Leadership Essentials course runs from 6-7 March 2027 at Warwick Conferences. The course fee of £260 per place includes accommodation, meals, and all learning materials.
For more information, please contact transformation@local.gov.uk. To sign up, contact grace.collins@local.gov.uk.