Future Local Lab
Local Government Explained
Local Elections England: 2026Asking questions and actively listening are important skills for all councillors, but never more so than when scrutinising, probing, and questioning key decisions in a local authority. Scrutiny councillors play a vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and improving public services across their council.
This engaging and practical training provides comprehensive tools and frameworks to take back to your council and implement.
Key outcomes
- Distinguish between poor practice and good practice questions.
- Develop helpful and communicative active listening skills.
- Learn how to avoid common questioning mistakes.
Who should attend
This programme has been developed for councillors who want to develop their questioning skills, particularly relating to scrutiny.
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.
