Description
Every elected councillor is responsible for ensuring that their council has effective financial governance, yet local government finance is viewed by many as difficult to get to grips with. These online training sessions are designed to provide elected councillors with a thorough grounding in the key elements of local government finance and funding. Officers new to or who need to understand local government finance will also benefit from attending.
If you are new to local government finance we recommend that you attend our introductory workshop on local government finance for Councils in England or Scotland.
These 3 online sessions build on the learning from the previous introductory session.
Session 1: Understanding your Council’s Annual Financial Statements (2 November 2022: 12:15-13:45)
NB: this seminar is case-study based. Participants will need to have access to their council’s latest published Annual Financial Statements.
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand the importance of the council’s Annual Financial Statements and the various roles and responsibilities in their preparation, review and approval.
- Have a better understanding of how to read the Financial Statements and find key financial information more efficiently.
- Be able to better understand, engage with and review this document.
Session 2: Understanding your Council’s MTFS, Annual Budget and Budget Monitoring Reports (17 November 2022: 12:15-13:45)
NB: this session is case-study based. Participants will need to have access to their council’s latest Medium-Term Financial Strategy, Annual Budget and Budget Monitoring reports.
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Have a detailed understanding of the financial planning and control process at your council.
- Begin to formulate lines of questioning on key local issues and concerns highlighted through your review of these key council documents.
Session 3: Financial Planning and budgeting (24 November: 12:15-13:45)
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand the immediate and potentially ongoing financial effects of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis on your council’s finances
- Understand the financial planning and control process at a typical local council.
- Appraise and evaluate how councillors can most effectively influence budget and spending decisions.