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Council Item Writing and Report Drafting for Local Government Officials

This course develops the specific writing skills needed to prepare council and committee items that lead to sound, lawful decisions. Participants learn to structure an item, present options and financial implications, and frame clear recommendations and resolutions. The programme improves the quality of reports going to council so that decision makers have the information they need and resolutions are easy to implement and track.

What you will be able to do

  • Structure a council or committee item using a clear standard format.
  • Summarise background and legal implications concisely.
  • Present options with their financial and service delivery implications.
  • Frame recommendations that lead to implementable resolutions.
  • Write in plain language suited to councillors and the public.
  • Ensure items support lawful and defensible decisions.

Course outline

  1. 01The Purpose of a Council Item
  2. 02Standard Item Structure
  3. 03Presenting Background and Legal Context
  4. 04Setting Out Options and Implications
  5. 05Recommendations and Draft Resolutions
  6. 06Writing in Plain Language
  7. 07Report Drafting Workshop

Who should attend

This course is intended for managers, committee officers, report writers and administrative staff who prepare items for municipal councils and committees.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 18 Aug 2026Cape Town2R10,000
31 Aug to 1 Sep 2026Online2US$900
7 to 8 Sep 2026Mozambique2US$1,100
14 to 15 Sep 2026Cairo2US$1,100
21 to 22 Sep 2026Accra2US$1,100
28 to 29 Sep 2026Lusaka2US$1,100
5 to 6 Oct 2026Kigali2US$1,100
12 to 13 Oct 2026Nairobi2US$1,100
19 to 20 Oct 2026Durban2R10,000
26 to 27 Oct 2026Johannesburg2R10,000
9 to 10 Nov 2026Mauritius2US$1,100
16 to 17 Nov 2026Dubai2US$1,100
23 to 24 Nov 2026Lagos2US$1,100
30 Nov to 1 Dec 2026Harare2US$1,100
7 to 8 Dec 2026Kampala2US$1,100
14 to 15 Dec 2026Dar es Salaam2US$1,100
21 to 22 Dec 2026Pretoria2R10,000

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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