Future Local Lab
Local Government Explained
Local Elections England: 2026
Enhance your report writing skills and develop the confidence to write clear, concise, and impactful reports for committees and cabinet. Apply structured frameworks and techniques to ensure your reports are well-organised and easy to navigate. Craft compelling arguments and recommendations supported by evidence and data. Each section of the training will include informal writing practice so that you learn and practice throughout the session.
Key outcomes
- Plan, structure and write a formal report
- Identify what goes where within the document
- Ensure that reports comply with the Council’s Committee/Cabinet report template, policies and legal requirements
- Write clearly and concisely
- Use grammar and punctuation accurately
- Proof and edit their work.
Who should attend
Managers and officers who want to develop and improve their report writing skills to the next level.
Programme
Introductions
Programme overview and objectives
Personal introductions and aims
An Introduction to report writing
Purpose of a report
The features of a good report
The planning process
Developing an objective
Thinking about the reader
What goes where – an overview of the structure and layout of a report
Writing practice – report purpose, the introduction and background
Writing skills
Writing in the third person
Using clear and plain English
Punctuation and basic grammar
How to assess the readability of a piece of text (Fog Values)
Writing Practise Session
Writing findings and conclusions
Writing clear and specific recommendations
Committee Reports
Exempt v non-exempt reports
What goes where
Implication statements
Reviewing and editing reports
Tips and techniques for editing and proofing
Summary and close
Review of session
Key point summary
Evaluation and close.
Trainer
Mrs. Miranda Smythe
LGIU Trainer
Miranda Smythe has 30 years of experience helping organisations (mainly local governments) identify learning gaps and develop tailored, creative strategies to address their goals. Miranda is also involved in local community development activities and provides mental health awareness sessions for many not-for-profit organisations. She is chair of a local homelessness charity and has been instrumental in developing and facilitating community leadership initiatives in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
