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Welcome to Season 16 of Scribe Academy! 🎉
We're delighted to bring you another fantastic programme of free, expert-led webinars designed specifically for Town, Parish and Community Councils. From the Employment Rights Act 2025 and Martyn's Law to finances, budgeting and a live look at the brand-new digital AGAR system, there's something for everyone this season.
This series also features our biggest event of the year – Scribefest 2026, our annual free online conference packed with expert speakers, practical insights, interactive sessions and opportunities to connect with fellow council professionals from across England & Wales.
Join us throughout July, August and September for practical learning, expert guidance and valuable professional development to help you and your council thrive. We look forward to seeing you online! 💻
July 2026
The Employment Rights Act 2025 & What It Means for Local Councils
Navigating new regulations can feel daunting, but staying compliant doesn't have to be stressful. Gain a clear understanding of the new legislation and what the updates in the Employment Rights Act 2025 actually mean for your council, as well as the actions you must take now and in the future.
📅 Wednesday 8th July, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎓 James Corrigan, Director of Council HR and Governance Support
Martyn's Law Explained: What Town and Parish Councils Really Need to Know
With official Home Office statutory guidance recently published on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, Town, Parish & Community Councils face an evolving regulatory landscape regarding public safety at local venues and events. This webinar cuts through the legal jargon and delves into what a practical, proportionate response looks like.
📅 Thursday 9th July, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎓 Alex Jay, Managing Director of Little Green Button
Digital AGAR in Action, Proper Practices Update & What's Next
The Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) is entering the digital age, bringing major changes to how local councils manage statutory reporting. Join this webinar for a live demo of the brand-new online system for the 26/27 AGAR submission, an overview of the latest updates to the Proper Practices and how SAPPP, SAAA and MHCLG are working together to review the smaller authorities’ regime and support the sector as it prepares for major reforms.
📅 Monday 13th July, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎓 Claire Reed, Proper Practices Project Manager at NALC & Lance Allan FSLCC, User Acceptance & Training Project Manager at SAAA
Stepping into Local Gov Finance: Accounting Basics for Clerks and RFOs
Discover the basics of local council accounting in this introductory session, covering essential procedures for cashbook management, VAT recording, asset registers, and reserves. Learn best practices to stay on top of your accounts and manage your council’s finances with confidence.
📅 Friday 17th July, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎓 Hannah Driver, Head Accountant, Scribe
August 2026
The Journey of a Locum Clerk: Lessons Learned & Pitfalls Avoided
Discover the realities of arriving at a new council, managing difficult correspondence and FOI requests, the importance of documentation and financial compliance, how to give advice that protects you and informs the Council, and the professional legacy every clerk is building right now — whether they know it or not.
📅 Tuesday 18th August, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎓 Lee Jakeman, Locum Clerk working with LGRC Associates Ltd
September 2026
How to Read a Planning Application
📅 Thursday 3rd September, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎓 Tom Sykes, Architect, Client Advisor and Founder of Common Works
👉 LINK COMING SOON
Scribefest 2026 - The Free Online Conference for Town, Parish and Community Councils
We're calling all Clerks, RFOs, Councillors and Council Members to join us for this free online conference tailored for Town, Parish, and Community Councils! Discover insights and best practices from industry experts, discuss the latest sector developments and have your questions answered. Enjoy lightning rounds, prize competitions and connect with your community. This event is a must-attend for anyone involved in Local Councils!
📅 Thursday 17th September, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
🎓 18x Guest Speakers
Forecasting, Budgeting & Setting the Precept for Local Councils
Budgeting provides essential financial accountability for local councils, but it shouldn't be a source of stress. Ideal for new Clerks, RFOs and councillors, or those wanting a refresher, this session will provide an introduction to the budgeting basics, including the process of forecasting, calculating the precept and the importance of monitoring the budget regularly.
📅 Wednesday 23rd September, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎓 Hannah Driver, Head Accountant, Scribe
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
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 the zoom meeting link
- 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.
