Preparing reports for committees

This training programme has been developed for managers and officers who write Committee or Cabinet reports as part of their role. The session has been organised around the process of building a report – from scoping the document through to editing and reviewing. Each block of learning is followed by an informal writing practice. During the programme reference will be made to report templates, to ensure that participants are confident about what goes where in their organisation's in-house document.

By the end of the session, delegates will be able to:

• Plan, structure and write a formal report
• Identify what goes where within the document
• Work within an organisation’s Committee/Cabinet report template
• Write clearly and concisely
• Use grammar and punctuation accurately
• Proof and edit their work.

The programme is highly participative and involves delegates in a wide range of activities.

Full workbooks are supplied and these will be circulated before the training.

Introductions (10 mins)

• Welcome
• Programme overview and objectives
• Personal introductions and aims

An Introduction to report writing (35 mins):

• Purpose of a report
• The features of a good report
• Common writing errors and how to avoid them
• Report templates – what goes where?
• How to get started: scoping a report

Writing activity (35 mins):

• Drafting purpose and introductory statements
• Review and discussion

Findings, conclusions and recommendations (50 mins)

• Writing findings and conclusions
• Developing high-quality, measurable recommendations
• Ensuring the report is compliant with any implication statements
• Group activity and review

Break (10 mins)

Report writing skills (30 mins)

• Writing in the third person
• Maintaining an objective and neutral tone
• Using clear and plain English
• Placing numbers and data into the report, including visuals and infographics

Reviewing the report (15 mins)

• Proofing tips

Programme Close (10 mins)

• Review of session
• Key point summary
• Evaluation and close.

This training programme has been developed for managers and officers who would benefit from some advice and guidance on how to plan, structure and write reports.

Miranda Smythe has 30 years of experience in helping organisations (mainly local government) to identify learning gaps and to develop tailored, creative and relevant strategies for meeting these needs with a view to helping them meet their objectives. Miranda is also a Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Associate Trainer and has been involved in developing bespoke programmes for Councillors including speed reading and personal safety.

In addition to her formal role, Miranda is also very involved in local community development activities, providing 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.

Host or Publisher Local Government Information Unit