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We're thrilled to announce the launch of Season 12 of Scribe Academy - our free learning platform designed specifically for parish and town councils across England and Wales. Following the success of our previous seasons, we're bringing you another exciting lineup of expert speakers, practical sessions, and valuable insights to help your council thrive.
Why Attend Scribe Academy Sessions?
Scribe Academy is a free resource that provides parish and town council clerks, staff, and councillors with:
- Expert knowledge from industry specialists
- Practical tips you can implement immediately
- Networking opportunities with peers
- Professional development at no cost
- Access to recordings if you can't attend live
Season 12 Schedule
May 2024
Tuesday 13th May, 10AM - 11AM
Fireside Chat About Public Toilets
Speaker: Roger Berry (Danfo)
You will discover:
- Fireside chat about public toilets
- Tackling public toilet challenges
- Answering your public toilet Q&A's
Join us for an informal and informative fireside chat with Roger Berry, long-time Wiltshire Councillor, public toilet advocate for the British Toilet Association and former Managing Director of Healthmatic. Now working with Danfo UK, Roger brings decades of expertise to help you tackle public toilet challenges in your parish or town council.
Wednesday 14th May, 10AM - 11AM
A Short History of Climate Change: From 800,000BC to 2050
Speaker: Jonny Ruffell (Opergy)
You will discover:
- A short journey through climate change
- Present day challenges
- What lies ahead
Join Jonny Ruffell, Energy Transition Consultant at Opergy Net Zero, as he takes you on a journey through climate history - exploring ancient data, present-day challenges, and what lies ahead. Perfect for councils and communities interested in sustainability and climate awareness.
Wednesday 14th May, 1PM - 2PM
Devolution and its Impact on Town & Parish Councils
Speaker: Lucy Shires (North Norfolk District Council)
You will discover:
- What devolution could mean for the role and powers of local councils
- Opportunities devolution offers for greater community leadership
- Potential challenges and how councils can prepare
Discover how the growing trend of devolution is shaping the future of town and parish councils. Hear a real-life perspective from Lucy Shires, District Councillor for North Walsham West Ward, as she shares experiences from North Norfolk, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.
Tuesday 20th May, 10AM - 11AM
Understanding Unity Trust Bank: Features, Benefits & Banking Essentials For Councils
Speaker: Sarah Johnson (Unity Trust Bank)
You will discover:
- Key factors to consider when opening a council bank account
- What sets Unity Trust Bank apart from high street banks
- The latest features and tools supporting local councils
Join us for an insightful session led by Sarah Johnson, Head of Public Sector at Unity Trust Bank. With extensive experience in both business and ethical banking, Sarah will guide you through Unity’s unique offering, share what’s new, and provide essential advice for councils considering a new banking partner.
Tuesday 20th May, 1PM - 2PM
Activating Community Wellbeing with Smart Outdoor Gyms
Speaker: Georgie Delaney MBE (The Great Outdoor Gym Company)
You will discover:
- How outdoor gyms boost physical and mental health in communities
- The power of energy-generating equipment and real-time usage data
- How councils can fund, install, and maintain outdoor gyms
Join Georgie Delaney MBE, Founder of The Great Outdoor Gym Company, as she shares her journey pioneering outdoor fitness spaces in the UK and beyond. Discover how smart, energy-generating gym equipment can transform public spaces, drive community engagement, and support your council's health, wellbeing, and green goals.
June 2024
Tuesday 3rd June, 10AM - 11AM
What Motivates Councillors to be Councillors & How You Can Use This Knowledge
Speaker: James Corrigan (Council HR and Governance Support)
You will discover:
- The five key motivators for becoming a Councillor
- How each motivator impacts a Councillor's approach and decision-making
- Understanding how to manage relationships with individual Councillors as a result
Join James Corrigan, Managing Director at Council HR and Governance Support, in this webinar designed for Council Clerks, Officers and staff members to help you better understand the driving forces behind your Councillors - and how to use this insight to build stronger, more productive working relationships.
Thursday 5th June, 11AM - 12PM
SAPPP 2025 - Email and Web Compliance
Speaker: Mark Tomkins (Aubergine)
You will discover:
- Updates to SAPPP (formerly JPAG) 2025 Practitioners Guide on email and website compliance
- Ensuring compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 AA
- Email account requirements and best practice
Join Mark Tomkins, Creative Director and Founder at Aubergine, as he takes you through the latest changes following the publication of the SAPPP (formally JPAG) 2025 Practitioners' Guide. Whether you're a clerk, RFO, or councillor, this session will help you clearly understand what's changed, what's expected, and how to stay compliant with confidence.
Wednesday 11th June, 11AM - 12PM
Stepping Into Local Gov Finance: Accounting Basics for Clerks and RFOs
Speaker: Hannah Driver (Scribe)
You will discover:
- An introduction into the unique aspects of local council accounting
- Super easy procedures to make sure your books balance
- How VAT returns work and what scheme you should be using
Join our Head Accountant Hannah and learn how to master your Council's accounts and go from zero to hero! Discover the basics of local council accounting, best practices and good procedures to keep on top of your accounts. This session is perfect for new Clerks and RFO's regardless of council size and how the accounts are currently managed.
Thursday 12th June, 10AM - 11AM
Why Join a Trade Union: The Clerks Perspective
Speaker: Tony Jay (Association of Local Council Clerks)
You will discover:
- The unique challenges faced by Clerks and how unions support them
- Real case studies of ALCC support in action
- The benefits of joining ALCC
Join Tony Jay (CiLCA, ACFM), ALCC Triage Officer, Locum Clerk and Council Internal Auditor as he discusses the benefits of being part of a trade union and what ALCC can offer. Tony will share real life stories of how ALCC have supported its members and the challenges they have faced.
Wednesday 25th June, 10AM - 11AM
Community Asset Transfers - What You Don't Think About
Speaker: Dewi Jones (Caernarfon Royal Town Council)
You will discover:
- What Community Asset Transfer (CAT) is and why it matters
- The pros and cons of taking on community assets
- Overlooked health and safety considerations that could cost you
Join Dewi Jones, Town Clerk and RFO at Cyngor Tref Caernarfon, for an insightful session on Community Asset Transfer (CAT). Dewi, CiLCA qualified and IOSH-certified in Working Safely at Events, will uncover practical tips, risks you may not have considered, and essential safety insights to help your council make informed decisions.
July 2024
Wednesday 2nd July, 10AM - 11AM
The Clerk as an Employee & HR Advisor
Speaker: James Corrigan (Council HR and Governance Support)
You will discover:
- How to conduct effective appraisals and manage staff performance
- The key HR policies every council should have in place
- Common HR mistakes clerks make - and how to avoid them
Join James Corrigan, Managing Director at Council HR and Governance Support, as he explores the dual role of the Clerk as an employee and HR advisor. Ideal for new and experienced Clerks alike, this webinar provides clear guidance on handling HR responsibilities confidently and correctly.
How to Join
All Scribe Academy sessions are free to attend and held online via Zoom. To participate:
- Click the registration link for your chosen session
- Complete the simple registration form
- You'll receive a confirmation email with calendar link and Zoom details
- Join us on the day!
About Scribe
Scribe is a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for parish and town councils across England and Wales. Our suite of products includes Scribe Accounts, Scribe Cemetery, Scribe Bookings, Scribe Allotments, and Civic.ly. With 1,500 customers and growing at 30% year on year, we're committed to supporting local councils with tools that make administration simpler and more efficient.
Don't miss out on these valuable learning opportunities! Register today and invest in your council's development.
For more information about Scribe Academy or our products, please contact our team at hello@scribeaccounts.com.
