Future Local Lab
Local Government Explained
Ask the Experts on local government finance
If you have attended the LGIU's introductory training on local government finance or watched the LGIU's bite-size learning on local government finance and/or reviewing the big 3 financial reports LGIU is holding two follow-up drop-in sessions where we will discuss:
reviewing the big 3 finance reports that include:
- The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and Annual Budget
- The latest budget monitoring report
- The Statement of Accounts.
We will also discuss the tough political choices made when setting your Council's annual budget and how you, as a UNISON steward or rep, can influence the decision-making process. We will :
- Appraise and evaluate how stewards can most effectively influence budget and spending decisions
- The continued impacts of austerity, the pandemic and the cost of living crisis on Council budgets.
- Look at the financial planning and control processes at a typical local council
- Look at the policy-making and budget-setting cycle.
We will also have a short presentation on:
- The LGIU's annual local government finance survey for England and Scotland
- Compare how the UK controls and funds local government to other Western democracies
- Discuss other possible solutions to the funding crisis.
- Local government reorganisation, devolution and council tax reform.
This training session will also be an opportunity to find out more and to ask questions about all things related to local government finance and funding.
Trainer
Greg Stride
Principal Researcher
Interested in elections, public services and governance, Greg has led projects on local government finance in England and Scotland, electoral administration, and local elections. Before joining the LGIU, Greg completed a PhD at the University of Exeter on electoral administration in England, where he also taught social science research methods. Previously, he worked for Citizens Advice, at the House of Commons and the University of Oxford.
Rachel Eden
LGIU Trainer
Cllr Rachel Eden has been an elected member of a Unitary Authority since 2010, having served in a range of roles including the opposition, cabinet member, committee chair and is the former mayor of Reading Council. As an experienced trainer, she specialises in finance, management and social media and is a qualified management accountant. Rachel delivers training to individuals and groups ranging from employees of multinational corporations to volunteers at small charities.
Pam Duke
Director - Bannsidale Consulting Ltd
Pam is a highly experienced senior public sector leader with over 35 years’ experience in strategic and operational leadership and management across a range of disciplines and sectors. She is a skilled finance professional with a strong technical accounting background and significant experience in influencing and delivering transformational change across complex and diverse service areas and programmes, including local government reorganisation.
Being at the foundation level helped fill in the gaps in my knowledge and allowed me to connect the dots on recent changes in the authority (now I can ask questions!). Ian explained the topics exceptionally well.
