These terms and conditions relate to UK Government grant funded officer and councillor leadership programmes. They do not relate to the LGA’s graduate development programmes or Local Government Challenge Programme.
General
1. LGA leadership programmes provide training and development opportunities which help cultivate exemplary leaders: councillors and officers able to deliver effectively in their roles, to the highest standards. Our programmes support councillors and officers to navigate complexity, harness opportunities and address live and emerging challenges.
2. Each of our programmes brings together a cohort of diverse delegates from across local government to improve their knowledge, skills and abilities and develop their personal leadership style and approach.
Applications and bookings
3. Applications for our courses are considered on receipt of a completed booking or application form. Submission of a completed form does not guarantee a place unless otherwise stated.
4. Delegate places are allocated on a first come, first served basis, unless there are eligibility or quota (for example, for some programmes there may be a limit on the number of attendees from the same local authority) selection criteria in place for the programme. This will be clearly advertised if applicable.
5. Delegates attending officer leadership programmes must be full or part time employees, including those on fixed term contracts, who are employed by a local authority. Delegates attending councillor leadership programmes must be a local authority elected member.
6. Delegates who are full or part time employees, including those on fixed term contracts, who are employed by a local authority are expected to have the support and permission of their line manager to attend.
7. Our programmes are UK Government grant funded. Where a fee is charged this goes towards covering the costs of the training, and any food or accommodation indicated as being included. There may be a separate fee for pre-night accommodation and food. Travel costs are not covered and need to be met by the delegate or their local authority.
8. Delegates will receive confirmation of their booking via e-mail and will be provided with a link to these terms and conditions. Your booking will only be confirmed once you have indicated acceptance of these terms and conditions (for example, by ticking the acceptance box on the booking form or confirming in writing by email). Please read them carefully, as they form part of your agreement with the LGA.
9. If you are unable to attend a programme you are booked onto, please let us know as soon as possible. You may nominate a substitute person from your organisation to attend in your place, unless eligibility or quota selection criteria apply to the programme which the substitute doesn’t meet. If you cancel with less than 10 working days’ notice and we are unable to fill your place, we reserve the right to charge you (or your organisation) the full programme fee (if applicable).
Conduct on leadership programmes
10. The programme delivery team will invite delegates to consider how, as a group, a supportive and respectful environment can be fostered, where everyone understands the objectives of the session and ways of working; and feels able to participate productively. Ground rules may be established covering issues such as punctuality, use of electronic devices, active listening, mutual respect and allowing everyone to contribute openly and constructively.
11. In order to foster an environment of open and constructive dialogue and learning, delegates are expected to treat the beliefs, opinions and perspectives of others with respect. The majority of our councillor programmes are cross party and an important part of creating an inclusive learning environment is respecting the political beliefs of others.
12. Delegates are expected to treat others with respect and not harass or unlawfully discriminate against any person. If you have any concerns about inappropriate behaviour whilst on a leadership programme, please raise this with an LGA, or LGA partner, member of staff. The LGA reserves the right to remove any delegate from the programme if their behaviour is seriously inappropriate, disruptive, or in breach of these expectations. In such cases no refund will be given and the LGA accepts no liability for costs arising from removal.
13. Councillors are reminded that the applicable code of conduct they are required to follow depends on the capacity in which they are attending. Where a councillor is appointed to a formal LGA role or is otherwise undertaking LGA business, the LGA Code of Conduct for Political and Independent Appointees applies. Where a councillor is attending in their capacity as a councillor of their home authority, the code of conduct of their home council applies. The LGA Political Group Offices can provide further guidance if required.
14. Feedback may be provided by the programme delivery team or other delegates as part of the programme. Leadership programmes involve developing as leaders, which can mean addressing areas where you might not be as skilled or experienced as you are in other areas. Feedback must always be provided in a constructive and respectful way.
15. Alcohol is not provided on leadership courses, although it may be offered at LGA-hosted celebration events, and you may choose to purchase alcohol yourself. If you choose to drink, you are responsible for the amount of alcohol you consume and you should be mindful of the impact it can have on you and those around you. You are expected to behave in a professional manner at all times.
Reasonable adjustments
16. The LGA is committed to ensuring our programmes and events are as inclusive as possible, including where reasonable adjustments may be requested. In order to ensure we can fulfil this commitment we ask that requests be clearly stated to the LGA prior to the event. Whilst we will do our best to accommodate any support needs as they arise, we cannot guarantee that these can be accommodated without prior notice.
Personal data
17. As part of the registration process, the LGA or its partners will collect your personal data to enable us to provide our training and development events and sessions. We will handle your personal information in accordance with Data Protection legislation. We will only use your personal information to administer and deliver the programme. Our lawful basis is performance of our contract with you and/or our legitimate interests in running the programme. Equalities monitoring information is collected on a voluntary basis and will not affect your place; it will be anonymised and used only to help us improve inclusivity. For more detail see our Privacy Policy.
18. We collect equalities monitoring information to improve our services and ensure fairness and inclusivity. The information helps identify disparities in service access and outcomes, allowing the LGA to take action to address inequalities and deliver services more equitably.
Confidential information
19. Delegates must treat any confidential information shared on programmes as strictly confidential. This might include sensitive data where disclosure could have legal or ethical consequences.
20. Information is sometimes shared between delegates on a “Chatham House Rule” basis. This is a guideline used to foster a safe yet open learning environment. It allows honest and candid discussions to take place, where the information shared by delegates can be used, but not in a way which would reveal the identity of the delegate who shared the information.
Personal safety
21. Delegates will assume sole responsibility for their own actions and their own health and safety during the programme, in particular, during periods of time outside of organised sessions when they are not accompanied by representatives of the LGA or its partners. This includes travel to the programme and any free time spent at the programme venue (e.g. in the morning before the programme starts and in the evening after the programme ends).
22. Each delegate must agree to act in accordance with any reasonable instructions given to them by or on behalf of the LGA or its partners, to act at all times with due and proper consideration for others and to observe, respect and abide by any applicable laws, guidelines or reasonable instructions. The LGA is not responsible for any loss, injury or damage occurring during your personal time (for example, travel to and from the venue or free time outside organised sessions), or if you fail to follow our reasonable instructions or the law. Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law. Please take care of your own safety and belongings.
23. The LGA will liaise with programme venues to ensure that appropriate insurance cover is provided throughout the programme and that relevant health and safety requirements are adhered to, so far as those are within the LGA’s control.
Photographs
24. The LGA and its partners may take photographs during the programme for use on social media or in promotional materials. If you prefer not to be photographed or do not want your image used, please let a member of staff know and we will ensure your preference is respected.
Miscellaneous
25. We may occasionally need to change or cancel a programme (for example, due to illness or venue issues). If we have to cancel, we will refund any programme fees you have paid or offer you an alternative date/programme. We will give as much notice as reasonably possible.
26. We may update these terms and conditions from time to time, but any changes will apply only to future programmes. The terms that applied when you confirmed your booking will continue to govern your place unless required by law or you agree otherwise.
27. These terms and conditions set out the entire Agreement between the delegate and the LGA and supersede any and all previous agreements whether written or oral. This Agreement is personal to the delegates and cannot be assigned to anyone else. This Agreement shall be subject to and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and the parties shall submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
28. These terms and conditions relate to UK Government grant funded officer and councillor leadership programmes and do not relate to the LGA’s graduate development programmes or Local Government Challenge Programme.