A programme providing structured development opportunities for existing and aspiring monitoring officers, enabling them to evidence skills and experience and work effectively in the golden triangle.
Do you aspire to be more? LLG Inspire offers a development opportunity for existing monitoring officers, and for lawyers and democratic service officers who aspire to become the monitoring officers of the future.
Moving up in your career in local government can be challenging the higher up the structure you rise. At lower levels, progression is attainable with sheer hard work and overtime, but securing that move to a statutory office role can be hard.
Why? Firstly, both the mindset and the skills required for leadership and governance are different to those required for the day job. Consequently, lawyers and governance officers need to prepare themselves to make that move, develop skills, seize opportunities, and learn how best to deal with the challenges of leadership.
As a Monitoring Officer you need to understand the principles of good governance, ethics, strategy, operational delivery, internal and external relationships and high-level decision-making. You may have seen great role models of monitoring officers on your journey - what attributes do they have that you are yet to acquire?
Through the programme you will learn about the laws that underpin local government, council structures and political awareness. You will understand business planning, finance and the management of business relationships. You will work towards gaining a comprehensive set of the essential competencies for a Monitoring Officer. If you are already in a senior role, it assists in learning the required skills and bedding in good habits, whilst providing a sounding board to discuss challenges and opportunities.
The statutory Officer development programme sits alongside programmes for Chief Executives and Chief Finance Officers, designed to deliver effective working within the golden triangle. The programme development has been part- funded through the LGA Sector-led Improvement Support Grant 2025/26 and is UK Government funded. The programme is open to lawyers and democratic services officers, and bursaries are available to apply for.
The programme has 6 modules:
Content is provided by face-to-face training, conference attendance, and live online meetings on Zoom, supported by optional pre-recorded online learning.
Each module will include live Zoom lunchtime meetings, with a range of people from the local government environment, giving you the opportunity to chat through the current learning topic and relate it to your workplace situation.
The modules will be staged throughout the 9-month learning period providing the opportunity to work at your own pace through the module, whilst learning alongside colleagues and utilising the network of the 2025/ 26 cohort.
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Programme Opening Wednesday 1 October 2025, Teams meeting 13.30 - 14.45 Deborah Evans, LLG CEO
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An introdution to the Inspire Programme and all members of the Inspire Programme 2025. An understanding of how the programme will run over the 9 months, timing of modules, access to content, in person and remote sessions. Introduction to the self completion form |
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The Monitoring Officer Role – the fundamentals Friday 3 October (full day) In person (London) with remote attendance option Bethan Evans |
Through mini scenarios, case studies and practical examples the day will look at:
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LLG's Annual Governance Conference 2025 Day 1: Friday 28 November 2025 (Hybrid an in person attendance, London) Day 2: Friday 5 December 2025, remote access event |
Remote access to the main Governance Conference programmes on day 1 and day 2. With the option to attend day 1 in person for a small additional fee |
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Self- Assessment |
Delegates to complete a self-assessment questionnaire to establish current skill levels |
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An audience with ...... A Teams meeting, date is tbc |
A zoom lunchtime session to discuss the importance of becoming an inclusive leader |
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The Strategic Role of Governance and Scrutiny Pre-recorded online content Ed Hammond, CfGS |
A look at governance and the key components. Scrutiny, four principles of good scrutiny by providing an opportunity to investigate and challenge within the governance framework |
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Practical Leadership & Governance Pre-recorded online content David Carter, formerly Joint Managing Director, Warwickshire CC |
A practical overview of leadership and governance within a local authority. Different styles and focus - be authentic and be yourself |
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LLG Monitoring Officer Conference 2025 Programme sessions to download 2026 Conference: to attend early summer 2026, date tbc |
Full download access to the Monitoring Officer recorded programme sessions of the 2025 conference, and attendance at the 2026 conference |
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Statutory Officers, roles and duties: The law Pre-recorded online content Bethan Evans |
Collaboration between the different statutory officers and their roles and responsibilities |
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Standards and Politics Pre-recorded online content Bethan Evans |
Standards framework in England Standards regime in Wales Role of codes of conduct Tricky issues with the code/standards Working with elected members |
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Values, skills and top tips Pre-recorded online content Bethan Evans |
A look at the Nolan Principles of Public Life |
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Local Authority Finance |
A look at what an MO needs to know about local authority finance |
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CIPFA: The role of the Section 151 Officer Pre-recorded online content Iain Murray, CiPFA |
An overview of the role of a Section 151 officer and as one of the 3 roles in the Golden Triangle |
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A legal perspective of local authority finance Pre-recorded online content David Carter, formerly Joint Managing Director, Warwickshire CC |
Why finance is important for an effective local authority and is for everyone to understand. |
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The law underpinning local government Pre-recorded online content Simon Goacher, Weightmans Solicitors |
A look at local government law. |
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An audience with ...... Lunch time Teams Chat, date tbc |
An opportunity to engage with speaker and colleagues on the module topic |
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LGA Golden Triangle Development Day An in person full day event in London
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Face to face one day training session on working together in the golden triangle in an ethical, client focussed way, looking at case studies |
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An audience with ....... |
A Teams lunchtime chat to engage with speaker and colleagues on the module topic |
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Building business relationships Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
How to build strong and lasting relationships at all levels Why are relationships important How to maintain relationships Key elements and character traits in building and maintaining business relationships The importance of goodwill |
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An introduction to stakeholder management Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
Who are stakeholders Why it is important to identify them and to work with them How can you engage with different stakeholder groups |
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Engaging with your audience Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
What is an audience The importance of knowing your audience and understanding your audience Audiences can be small or large, external or internal The 3 Ps |
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Personal resilience and holding your own Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
Key elements and their impact on daily business and lives Do's and dont's around personal resilience Using your skills to hold your own in any circumstance Awareness of emotional intelligence How to understand who or what the blocker is in a 'hold your own' situation Remaining calm and maintaining authority The importance of standing your ground whilst remaining friends |
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Leading projects and deals Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
What do we mean by projects and deals - large to small, simple to complex and everything inbetween Different project and deals need different skill sets and leadership skills |
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External advisors: What do you need? Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
How to choose your external advisors How to ensure you get the best out of that relationship straight away but also over time |
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The dreaded panel review process Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
The various and possible stages of a review process Rules of engagement, Procurement, Implementation |
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Price versus value, & “value adds” Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
What is price, what is value, what is the difference and why this is important |
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LLG Leadership conference 2026 date is tbc (spring 2026) |
Full access to the Leadership Conference with live online attendance |
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An audience with A lunch time Teams chat (date tbc) Deborah Evans |
A zoom lunchtime session to explore presenting with confidence |
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Lawyers as leaders Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
What is leadership? Lawyers becoming leaders and any possible struggles to overcome. |
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Building a high performing team Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
Building and leading a team What does a high performing team look like Different types of teams and different types of leaders Matching the team to the need Six key principles of building a team A look at some day to day practical issues Favoritism and fairness Empathy and emotion |
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Leading a team day to day Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
Key fundamentals to be aware of Keeping your team focused How to motivate your team to achieve each goal How to develop each team member |
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Modern working practices and the flexible workplace Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
Recognising modern working practices and considering how these impact on leadership How to balance competing interests from different working practices amongst team members |
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Visible fairness for all: An impossible dream Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
How to be seen as being fair across the team Being accidently unfair and how to fix it |
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Appraisals in practice: A blessing or a curse? Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
The annual review process A review of the process and how to maximise the value of the process and see it as a force for good Common misconceptions, what they could be and what they should be |
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LGA Golden Triangle Development Day In person full day event Thursday 12 March, Leeds tbc |
Face to face one day training session on working together in the golden triangle in an ethical, client focused way, looking at case studies |
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Building respect Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
The life of a MO/Head of Legal Solution based thinking that can help to make things happen in the local authority environment Balancing the role between the statutory role and increasing demands of commerciality. |
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"The great protector" Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
Fulfilling the statutory role in a commercial way |
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Getting to a solution Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
How to move any perceptions of an MO and a possible 'BIG NO' perception |
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"Choppy waters": Navigating difficult solutions Pre-recorded online content Andrew Shufflebotham |
A look at the working role of a MO and what challenges there are How to deal with challenges as a statutory officer How to get through such situations. |
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An Audience with ....... |
A zoom lunchtime session on the importance of ethics in decision making |
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LGSCO Best practice in complaints handling Pre-recorded online content Alan Park, Local Government and Social Care Omdudsman |
How the role of MO is part of effective complaints handling How handling complaints can support you in your role as MO Understanding the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Identify the benefits of effective complaints handling Recognise the MO role in complaint handling How can the Ombudsman help |
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Conflict resolution, a Monitoring Officers perspective Pre-recorded online content Helen Bradley, Director of Legal & Democratic Services and MO, Durham County Council |
What is conflict resolution. Conflict resolution situations. Conflict resolution skills. Practical tips. |
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Building resilience Pre-recorded online content Amardeep Gill, Trowers & Hamlins Solicitors |
What is resilience. What should resilience mean to people. How can resilience be relevant for each person. Developing a bounce back mentality. Building resourcefulness in quiet times to equip you for times of high pressure and stress. |
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Navigating the politics A full day in person event, Friday 27 February 2026 Bethan Evans |
The role of elected councillors in Local Government The role of officers (including statutory officers) The central importance of the relationship between members and officers in an effective council What happens when this goes wrong (case study and examples) Relevant codes and protocols Areas of potential risk and friction and how to avoid/mitigate these' The particular issues for the MP |
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An audience with a councillor Lunch time Teams meeting (date tbc) |
A lunchtime session to enable delegates to understand political aims, ambitions, agendas and practice |
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Governance: Roles and systems Pre-recorded online content Bethan Evans |
Governance arrangements which are the mechanisms to ensure good governance happens and good member to officer relations are in place and maintained |
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Good governance: Practical actions Pre-recorded online content Bethan Evans |
Understanding local authority structure and governance. Masterclass in political awareness. |
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Decisions, policy & plans Pre-recorded online content David Carter, formerly Joint Managing Director, Warwickshire CC |
How local authorities make decisions and translate them into practice. Local Government in Context. Policy and decision making structure. Corporate plans and priorities. Scheme of delegation. Terms of delegation. Procedural standing orders. Contracts and partnerships |
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Closing Session Teams meeting Deborah Evans, LLG CEO |
Close of the Inspire Programme and completion of the self assessment form |
Bursaries recognise the financial duress many councils now face, which is impacting their ability to invest in the training and development of officers. Bursaries are available to apply for to assist councils who have restricted training budgets.
There are sources of bursary available to delegates for the Inspire Programme for Monitoring Officers, delivered by Lawyers for Local Government:
Receipt of applications will be emailed within ten working days
The Statutory Officer Development Programme bursary recognises the importance of developing the statutory role of Monitoring Officers and the need for equality of opportunity, regardless of the type of Council they are employed by, or its financial standing.
The programme has received an amount of funding through the LGA Improvement Support Grant 25/26 to commit to a bursary scheme for local government Monitoring Officers.
Bursaries will be available each year within the overall cohort of paid participants on each programme. Bursary applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis based on ability to pay, and places allocated to those legally qualified and those not legally qualified undertaking the role of Monitoring officer, subject to meeting the bursary requirements, on a first come first served basis. Reasons for decisions will be given but no correspondence will be entered into following the determination letter.
To apply for an LGA Inspire bursary, you must meet the following criteria:
The LLG Inspire bursary scheme applies to aspiring monitoring officers who are lawyers and members of LLG.
Bursaries will be available each year within the overall cohort of paid participants on each programme.
Bursary applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and places allocated’ on a first come first served basis. Reasons for decisions will be given but no correspondence will be entered into following the determination letter.
To apply for an LLG Inspire bursary, you must meet the following criteria:
Following receipt of a bursary award, the applicant is required to attend the whole course for which the monies have been provided unless there are exceptional circumstances which preclude attendance, or the course has been cancelled.
Where the course, or an event within the course has been cancelled and reorganised to another date and time, the applicant is expected to use their best endeavours to attend the course.
In any case where an applicant does not complete the course for which bursary monies have been paid, they must notify LLG and repay the bursary amount within 28 days of non-attendance/cancellation.
Where an applicant does not complete the course, LLG may waive repayment of bursary amount in exceptional circumstances. The applicant must notify LLG of the reasons within 14 days of the date of the course/event having not been attended. LLG will determine any waive at its own discretion having considered the facts presented with evidence where appropriate.
Please complete your statement in the form attachment below and submit to: training@llg.org.uk
For general enquiries please contact: membership@llg.org.uk
Please download and complete the bursary application form and email it to training@llg.org.uk by Monday 22 September latest.
Bookings can be made online at www.llg.org.uk and will be open from 28 August 2025
Training will begin 01 October 2025 with an introduction to the programme and colleagues on this year's cohort. All Inspire delegates will join the Governance Conference for the full day programme, an ideal opportunity to meet your Inspire colleagues along with senior leaders, Monitoring Officers and Deputy Monitoring Officers attending the conference.
The cost is £2999 + Vat for the 9-month programme and includes access to webinars, online training, the Governance Conference, and a number of in person and online events, along with mentoring.
Two types of bursaries are available for this programme, for delegates employed by a best value authority as defined by Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999 in England.
Delegates must complete an application form in which they confirm that without the bursary, they would not be able to attend the training due to prevailing financial constraints at their place of work. Evidence or third party confirmation may be requested.
Only one bursary per programme and per candidate can be applied for and will be awarded on a first come first served basis.
Bursary options are as follows:
The programme will offer c60 hours of training over a 9-month period, the equivalent of 1 full day training a month. Delegates will begin by undertaking self-assessment to establish their current skills, any gaps, and identify development needs. Delegates also have access to the Inspire Hub offering useful documents including the Code of Practice on Good Governance for Statutory Officers, the Core Competencies for Monitoring Officers, and optional online learning.
For all enquiries about LLG’s Inspire programme and to reserve your place for the October 2025 start date contact the LLG Team by email on training@llg.org.uk or click here to book now.
GOV TC
Beth is a recognised expert in local authority governance and decision-making, having worked in this field for over 40 years. She was an in-house lawyer for nearly 20 years, at four different councils in England (including Bristol City Council, Avon County Council and South Gloucestershire Council). She moved from a practitioner specialising in education, housing, commercial and social care law into management posts, culminating in roles as a County Solicitor and a Director of Corporate Services in a unitary authority.
Beth led the Welsh Local Government Agency responsible for improvement and development in the 22 unitary councils in Wales (and the regional employer) for three years from 1998.
In 2001 Beth moved to a role as a partner with Bevan Brittan LLP, a leading national law firm, where she led the local government team for 17 years, for 4 years of which she was Senior Partner of the firm. The firm has, for many years, been ranked Band One legal advisors for local authorities.
Legal 500 rankings 2017 – UK Local Government Law
Bethan Evans is the “undisputed leader in the field”
In 2016, Beth left her legal role and set up her business as an independent governance trainer and advisor. She is an experienced and highly regarded practitioner in this field. She specialises in member and officer development for local authorities. She has a wealth of practical experience which enables her to bring these insights to her training.
In this capacity, Beth has provided sessions for over 120 councils over the last few years, including county councils, unitaries, London boroughs, combined authorities, districts, and parishes.
Beth works extensively with LLG on their programme of governance related sessions and on training for Monitoring Officers.
Other roles
In addition to her professional business, Beth has held trustee/non-executive roles including:
Chair of the charity Ablaze which seeks to address inequality of opportunity and achievement in young people by bringing businesses and schools together in reading, maths, and mentoring programmes
Non-executive Director of Bristol Energy Limited for 2 years
Deborah Evans was appointed in 2018 as the first Chief Executive of LLG. Having started her career in local government at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, she has since gone on to work in senior roles across the legal sector, including the in-house legal team of a major retailer; as a Practice Director of a law firm; in management at the Legal Aid Board; Chief Executive of the Legal Complaints Service, and most recently as Chief Executive of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Deborah has also been involved with digital claims resolution platforms such as Claims Portal and MedCo.
Andrew brings over 30 years of practical, real life, experience in professional services to his work with lawyers, and others, to help equip them with the commercial skills they need to really stand out in today’s highly competitive market. His experience-based approach helps to engage lawyers in a unique and relatable way - he has sat where they sit, and understands, from first-hand experience, the pressures, challenges and opportunities of working in professional services today.
Andrew spent three decades as a practising solicitor in Central London, and was a Partner and Board Member at Addleshaw Goddard. He subsequently worked as Chief Operating Officer at Invicta Law, a local authority owned law firm, before becoming an independent consultant and adviser, with his business Watson Fox.
Andrew has an LLB honours degree in law from the University of Exeter and is a qualified, non-practising, solicitor. He is also a trained actor and has appeared in several professional theatre productions, in the West End and elsewhere. Andrew is also a qualified rugby coach.
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