Report Writing Training for Council Staff
Council reports shape decisions. This hands-on report writing training gives staff a proven, repeatable process for writing clear, well-structured reports, with AI prompts to support every stage from issue definition through to the final polish.
Is this for you?
This report writing training is designed for council staff who want a clear, reliable process for writing better reports. It works well for groups where participants have varying levels of experience, whether they’re from the same team, different departments, or different councils.
This is a good fit if you:
- write reports for elected members and want a clearer, more consistent approach
- would benefit from a structured process you can follow independently after the training
- want proven techniques for using AI to assist you with report writing.
How report writing training works
The training is delivered as two online workshops with a practical writing task in between. Participants work through each stage using their own reports or fictional examples I provide, so the learning is applied immediately.
Workshop 1: From issue to outline (2 hours)
Participants learn a step-by-step process for the core building blocks of a council report. We work through AI prompts for defining the issue, writing a purpose statement, drafting the background section, developing options, establishing assessment criteria, analysing options, identifying and assessing risks, writing a recommendation, and creating a report outline.
I demonstrate each prompt with a worked example, then participants apply it to their own topic. By the end of this session, everyone has a complete report outline ready to write from.
Homework: Write the first draft
Between workshops, participants write the first draft of their report using their outline. This is where the real learning happens. The outline and prompts do the heavy lifting on structure, so they can focus on getting their content down clearly.
Workshop 2: From draft to presentation-ready (2 hours)
We pick up where the first draft left off. Participants use AI prompts for structural editing, covering story structure, content gaps, readability and logical flow. We then move into proofreading, working through a checklist and prompts for tightening language, strengthening subheadings, and catching errors.
The session finishes with practical guidance on presenting reports to senior managers and elected members, so participants leave feeling confident about both the written document and the conversation around it.
What's included
- Two online workshops (four hours of facilitated training in total).
- A comprehensive set of advanced AI prompts covering every stage of council report writing.
- A repeatable workflow that combines manual steps with AI prompts, giving staff a clear process for all future reports.
- Permanent access to all prompts and resources on a password-protected webpage for every participant.
- A proofreading checklist.
- Individual attention throughout, with a maximum of 10 participants per workshop.
What you'll walk away with
After this training, you won’t just have one better report. You’ll have a process you can follow every time. You’ll know how to use AI to organise your thinking, work through options and risks methodically, and produce reports that are clear, concise and ready for decision-makers. That means less time spent staring at blank pages, fewer rounds of revision, and more confidence when it’s time to present.
Testimonial
Frequently asked questions
Do participants need AI experience?
No. The workshops are designed for people at all levels. I walk through each prompt step by step, so no prior AI experience is needed.
Which AI platform do participants need?
My prompts work well in Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT or Claude.
Can the workshops be run in person?
Yes. The workshops can be delivered online or in person, depending on your preference. In-person delivery (outside of Nelson and Richmond) will involve travel costs, which I’ll confirm in advance.
What types of reports does this cover?
The process covers the core elements common to council reports, including issue definition, options analysis, risk assessment and recommendations and clear writing.
However, I also use AI for other types of reports and am happy to adapt this training (and the prompts) to meet your needs.
How much does it cost?
After a free initial conversation, I’ll provide a proposal with a fixed fee. I offer per-person pricing for mixed groups and team rates for councils booking a full workshop, so we can find the right fit for your situation.
The per-person cost is significantly lower than AI coaching, making this a practical option for upskilling several staff at once.
What if someone on the team needs more individual support?
I also offer report writing coaching for individual staff who would benefit from personalised, ongoing guidance tied to a specific report. The two services complement each other well.
Ready to write better council reports?
Get in touch to arrange a free call. We’ll talk about what you’re working on and whether this AI workshop is the right fit.
Phone: 021 215 4698
Email: debra.bradley@writingforcouncils.co.nz
You are also welcome to download my free Guide to Report Writing.
