Clerks Seminar 20th April 2026 – Post Event
Our first dedicated development day for Clerks took place on 20 April 2026 in Aylesbury, delivered in collaboration with the Buckinghamshire Branch of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). The event marked an important milestone, bringing clerks together from across our area for learning, reflection, and connection.
We were delighted to open the day with a keynote address from the Lord Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire and President of BMKALC Lady Elizabeth Howe. Her warm words of encouragement for all those working and engaged in the local council sector set a positive and supportive tone for the day ahead.
Adam Keppel‑Brown, Chair of the SLCC, followed, highlighting the vital role of the SLCC in championing and raising awareness of the unique and highly professional role of clerks. Steve Mac Nay, Clerk at Woughton Community Council, then offered a thoughtful and engaging insight into an athletic, or perhaps balletic approach to balancing the many competing demands of clerking.
Christian Vincent from WorkNest expertly navigated the ever‑changing and complex landscape of employment law, while Peter Spencer and Roger Taylor from Wellers outlined key elements of charity law relevant to local councils. Adam Keppel‑Brown returned to the rostrum to reaffirm the roles and responsibilities that sit at the heart of effective local council governance.
Although we were sadly unable to hear from Dan Purchese of Breakthrough Communications before lunch due to some uncooperative IT, this was more than made up for later in the day.
The venue, Buckinghamshire Council’s Oculus and Market Place, proved exceptional and is quite simply one of the best environments we have experienced for an event of this kind. Lunch was served informally in the Market Place exhibition area, creating valuable space for delegates and exhibitors to mingle, reconnect and exchange ideas.
The afternoon was devoted to workshops, covering:
- managing mental wellbeing,
- increasing capacity through the use of AI, and
- navigating increasingly politicised local councils.
Our facilitators — Amanda Whitlock, Dan Purchese, Steve Walker, Emma Marsden and Paul Hodson — did a fantastic job, particularly given that each of these topics could easily have filled an entire day in its own right.
Events like this would simply not be financially viable without the generous support of our sponsors, alongside the goodwill of our speakers and venue hosts. Thanks to that support, we were able to reach nearly 70 councils across our area, offering clerks a valuable opportunity to meet in person, learn something new and connect with potential new support partners. This is particularly important given that many clerks are unable to attend national SLCC events.
The feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, and we have been encouraged to explore hosting the event again in the future.
Kind regards
Mel
To access the presentations from our speakers and for further information on the exhibitors at the event, please click on the accordions below
Town, Parish & Community Council Attendees
- Abbey Hill Parish Council
- Aston Clinton Parish Council
- Aylesbury Town Council
- Beaconsfield
- Berkhamsted Town Council & Oving
- Berryfields Parish Council
- Bierton Parish Council
- Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council
- Broughton & Milton Keynes Parish Council
- Castlethorpe Parish Council
- Chalfont St Giles Parish Council
- Chalfont St Peter Parish Council
- Cheddington Parish Council
- Chesham Bois Parish Council
- Chesham Town Council
- Denham Parish Council
- Edlesborough Parish Council
- Fairfields Community Council
- Fulmer Parish Council
- Great Horwood
- Great Linford Parish Council
- Great Missenden Parish Council
- Grendon Underwood Parish Council
- Haddenham PC
- Hambleden Parish Council
- HAPTC
- Hazlemere Parish Council
- Hughenden Parish Council
- Ivinghoe Parish Council
- Kingsbrook Parish Council
- Little Marlow Parish Council
- Little Missenden Parish Council
- Marlow Bottom Parish Council
- Marlow Town Council
- Medmenham
- New Bradwell
- North Crawley
- Oving PC
- Penn
- Princes Risborough Town Council
- Quainton Parish Council
- Ravenstone Parish Council
- Shenley Church End Parish Council
- Soulbury Parish Council
- Stantonbury Parish Council
- Steeple Claydon Parish Council
- Stoke Mandeville
- Stone with Bishopstone & Hartwell
- Stony Stratford Town Council
- Swanbourne Parish Council
- Taplow and Dorney
- Thornborough Parish Council
- Waddesdon Parish Council
- Walton Community Council
- Watermead Parish Council
- Wavendon Parish Council
- West Bletchley Council
- Westcott Parish Council
- Weston Turville Parish Council
- Weston Underwood Parish Council
- Whaddon Parish Council
- Woburn Sands Town Council
- Wolverton and Greenleys Town Council
- Woughton Community Council
Event Feedback
‘The chance to learn about matters that concern my parish which I may have missed (or misunderstood) when circulated via email. The chance to meet and talk to other clerks. The chance to speak to other departments, ask questions or listen to issues other Clerks have which could be similar to something I’m doing but not sure where to go for help. The chance to speak with other professional colleagues.
The break out sessions in the afternoon were helpful also, with a chance to reflect on your own parish and how you could improve what you do now’
Angela -Stone with Bishopstone & Hartwell Parish Council
| Good range of exhibitors in a good space and all the speakers presented well. Paul Hodson ran a great workshop which would have been even better if he had more time. Kate – Heughenden Parish Council |
‘Highly professional went along at a good pace with interesting and informative speakers.’
Sue – Berkhamsted Town Council & Oving PC
| ‘Clerks supporting clerks, that all the speakers were either clerks or supporters. Lady Howe was exceptional and she really buoyed up those who were new or despondent.’ Andrea – Wolverton and Greenleys Town Council |
‘Unfortunately due to work commitments I had to leave the event at lunch time. I have to say the speakers prior to the lunch break were so informative and a great range of subject matters covered. I loved hearing from “Clerk of the Year” and it is so reassuring to hear other Clerk’s stories.’
Noreen – Watermead Parish Council
| ‘I valued some of the practical-based workshops. Wellbeing Matters and Steve from WCC challenged us all to really think about our mental wellbeing and come up with solutions to support us whenever required.’ Tommy – Great Linford Parish Council |
‘The current relevance of the topics chosen and subsequent content. All informative and educational given by good and the occasional excellent speakers. Always great to catch up with Clerks from nearby Councils and others that one’s met at other events.’
Also loved the lunch bowls, what a refreshing change.’
Pauline – Fulmer Village Parish Council
| ‘It was a fantastic day, full of informative presentations and opportunities to speak to colleagues from other Parish/Town Councils and to key third party organisations that are key to supporting Parish and Town Councils. A massive thank you to the whole team for putting this successful event on.’ Debbie – Chalfont St Peter Parish Council |
‘The event covered a range of topics and was informative. The section on employment law was particularly useful.’
Louise – Chesham Town Council
Speeches by Countess Howe, Steve McNay, Adam Keppel Green and the Amanda Whitlock workshop. The stands were all excellent and it was great to chat to some of the exhibitors. Lunch was delicious too!
Penny – Clerk to Edlesborough Parish Council
| ‘Location was good, a lot of space to move about. Great selection of exhibitors. Good speakers, learnt a lot of new information, gratefully appreciated. Nice lunch!’ Sarah – Great Horwood Parish Council |
Our Speakers
Join sector leader Adam Keppel‑Green FLSCC, Chair of the SLCC Board and experienced Town and Parish Clerk for his talk on Roles & Responsibilities
Stepping into the role of Clerk means stepping into the heart of local governance, where clarity, confidence, and strong professional boundaries are essential. During this talk, “Strengthen Your Leadership: Understanding the Clerk’s Key Roles & Responsibilities,” you’ll be guided by Adam Keppel‑Green FSLCC, an experienced Town and Parish Clerk and current Chair of the SLCC Board. Drawing on more than a decade of sector leadership, Adam will unpack the core functions and expectations that shape effective clerking today. This insightful talk will help you deepen your understanding of the role, enhance your decision‑making, and strengthen the leadership foundations that enable you to support your council with assurance and authority
Plate Spinning 101 – Planned Chaos or Reactive stress?
As Clerks, our role can be many things; researcher, author, cleaner, leader, financial planner (and that’s just a Monday morning).
How can we prioritise ourselves when so many other things demand our attention? And how can we support each other, especially when things get tough.
Steve McNay spent 20 years working in wellbeing services before making the move into local government. Having managed mental health charities, as well as training as a trainer, Steve aims to make his sessions accessible, informative and fun. The current Bucks and MK ‘Clerk of the Year’ and clerk to Woughton Community Council, Steve oversees a wide range of services, a £1.3 million budget, 19 councillors and a team of 30 officers. Steve also chairs a local sustainability charity and is a sucker for a pub quiz.
Christian has extensive experience supporting a wide range of clients, including Councils, charities and private sector organisations. With over 15 years’ experience across the private and third sectors, he has worked with organisations of all sizes, including well-known high-street names.
Christian brings broad HR expertise, from supporting Councils and Councillors with strategic organisational reviews to advising managers on complex employee relations cases. His approach focuses on identifying practical, proportionate solutions that balance organisational needs with all relevant considerations. Over the past five years, he has worked closely with Town and Parish Councils across the UK, supporting them through a wide range of challenges and opportunities.
He also has significant experience in recruitment, supporting the appointment of high-quality candidates at both senior and operational levels. In addition, Christian has extensive experience in training delivery, workshop facilitation and coaching managers, and has previously delivered management apprenticeships to organisations across the UK.
Currently, Christian leads and supports a team of seven HR professionals based across the country, from Gateshead to Lancing. He is passionate about enabling the team to deliver consistently high-quality services to clients, building strong, long-term relationships and ensuring the right outcomes are achieved.
The Employment Rights Act | what councils need to know
In this session, Christian Vincent, Senior HR Consultant from WorkNest will break down the key developments reshaping the employment landscape. We’ll start with a clear overview of the Employment Rights Act, followed by a summary of the major changes introduced between 2021 and 2025 and what they mean for local authorities. You’ll then gain insight into the 2025–2027 ERA roadmap, including anticipated timelines. Most importantly, we’ll outline what councils can do now to prepare. The session will finish with a Q&A, giving you the opportunity to put your questions directly to our specialists. Don’t miss this essential update designed specifically for councils.
‘Legal Essentials You Can’t Miss – Charities, Leases, Hire Agreements, and Incorporations’
Summary
A practical session for parish and town clerks on the legal issues that commonly arise when councils work with local charities in relation to recreation grounds, village halls and community projects.
Key points covered
- Points to consider when deciding whether to issue a lease or a licence of Parish Council land to a charity.
- How permanent endowment and designated land issues can arise and how to deal with these.
- Issues where a parish council is sole corporate trustee of a charity and how incorporation as a CIO can nullify some of these issues.
Speaker bio (Peter Spencer):-
Peter Spencer is a Senior Solicitor at Wellers Law Group, advising charities, community organisations, and local councils on a wide range of charity law and governance matters. His work includes charity incorporations, constitutional reviews, trustee and governance arrangements and regulatory compliance with the Charity Commission.
Peter has particular expertise in advising village halls and recreation grounds, including complex trust arrangements involving permanent endowment and designated land where a parish or town council acts as sole corporate trustee.
Stepping into the role of Clerk means stepping into the heart of local governance, where clarity, confidence, and strong professional boundaries are essential. During this talk, “Strengthen Your Leadership: Understanding the Clerk’s Key Roles & Responsibilities,” you’ll be guided by Adam Keppel‑Green FSLCC, an experienced Town and Parish Clerk and current Chair of the SLCC Board. Drawing on more than a decade of sector leadership, Adam will unpack the core functions and expectations that shape effective clerking today. This insightful talk will help you deepen your understanding of the role, enhance your decision‑making, and strengthen the leadership foundations that enable you to support your council with assurance and authority.
Managing Your Own Mental Wellbeing
Session Outline
• What is mental health?
• The Mental Health Continuum
• Stress
• Self Care – Five steps to wellbeing
• Creating a personalised wellbeing plan
Session Objectives
• Understand what Mental wellbeing is and how it differs from mental illness.
• How to recognise what is a normal response to stress.
• How to embed coping strategies into your everyday life.
The session will include:
• The importance of taking responsibility for your own mental wellbeing.
• How to recognise where you are on the mental health continuum and what normal responses to life events can look like.
• How to identify your response to stress and how to mitigate its effect
• Exploration of the 5 steps to wellbeing and how these can be included in your life.
• How to implement a personalised plan to help deal with the feeling of being overwhelmed.
All elements will be delivered in a 45minuter interactive workshop. Learning will take place through a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities
Amanda Whitlock – Total Wellbeing Matters
Amanda is the owner of Total Wellbeing Matters, which offers services in promoting wellbeing. She is a licensed MHFA England instructor and specialises in delivering wellbeing and mental health consultancy, training, and workshops. She is also a Corporate Wellbeing Coach and a Bereavement and Loss Support Practitioner. She is an Accredited Trainer for Clarity 4D personality Profiling. She is an Emotional Leadership Practitioner.
Prior to starting her business, she worked for 15 years in the Charity Sector providing strategic management and business development. Her last role was National Wellbeing Manager for a charity which specialised in providing advice, guidance, and support for older people.
For individuals who want to look after their own mental health and maintain their wellbeing, she provides both the training and the toolkits to enable them to have meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
Awards
Business of the Year 2022 in the Yeovil Chamber Business awards
Health and Fitness Business of the year 2023 in the Sherborne Business Awards.
UK Enterprise Awards – Mental Health Trainer of the Year winner 2023
Global Health and Pharma – Mental Health Training Expert of the Year winner 2024
Business Elite awards SME News – Best Mental Health and Wellbeing Services – Dorset 2025
Recent Feedback
Amanda was a great instructor. She was very friendly and knowledgeable. The course was insightful and I’m looking forward to my role as a MHFAider.
Excellent course, content and delivery were excellent
The passion Amanda had for the subject was infectious.
What a fantastic course. The lead Amanda Whitlock was brilliant the way she led the course. It made me realise a lot about myself and how to see the triggers in people not only in the workplace but friends and family.
Excellent course and would recommend anyone that has the opportunity to do this course they should grab it with both hands.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-whitlock-09829b6b/
amanda@totalwellbeingmatters.com
www.totalwellbeingmatters.com
Tel: 07786251637
This workshop Harness AI & Timesaving Tools focuses on practical, hands‑on support for Town and Parish Clerks looking to streamline day‑to‑day operations using modern digital tools. Led by Emma Marsden (SLCC Branch Secretary) and supported by experts Dan Purchese (Breakthrough Communications)and Steve Walker (Cloudy IT) , the workshop explores how artificial intelligence can simplify administrative tasks, improve workflow organisation, and enhance communication with councillors and residents. Through guided exercises and realistic council scenarios, attendees will discover how AI can assist with drafting documents, responding to queries, managing information, and preparing for meetings, saving valuable time without compromising quality.
Designed for all experience levels, this interactive workshop offers a supportive environment to experiment with tools, ask questions, and build digital confidence. Participants will leave with practical techniques they can apply immediately in their council offices, along with a clearer understanding of how AI can help reinforce accuracy, keep projects on track, and reduce daily workload pressures. This session complements the morning’s strategic overview by translating ideas into actionable skills Clerks can use the very next day.
Location: The Paralympic Room
Biography
Paul Hodson is the Town Clerk and Chief Executive of Dunstable Town Council, bringing over 25 years of public sector leadership and management experience to his role.
Paul’s career has included working with elected Members in Metropolitan Councils, London Boroughs, across Buckinghamshire, and more recently in Bedfordshire. Paul’s role with Buckinghamshire County Council involved working closely with a wide range of Members to build trust, develop work programmes and gain consensus on local actions. Paul moved to his current role in Dunstable after four years as Buckingham Town Clerk. Paul is currently completing the SLCC’s Masters in Public Sector Leadership, and is Chair of the Bedfordshire Branch of the SLCC.
Briefing
This workshop will explore how a clerk can develop successful working relationships with councillors from a wide range of professional and political backgrounds. By exploring the roles councillors play and their motivations, along with strategies for building trust, respect and mutual understanding, attendees will be able to consider strategies and tools for success. Clerks provide professional advice, help councillors make good decisions and scrutinise delivery appropriately while being friendly and approachable and keeping professional boundaries. It will also cover how officers can stay politically neutral, and build trust with all councillors, and handle sensitive situations calmly and fairly.