|
Date |
Price (APSE Members) |
Price (Non-APSE Members) |
Price (Commercial) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TUES 23/06/26 + WED 24/06/26 09:30 - 12:30 [TWO HALF DAYS]
OR
TUES 01/09/26 + TUES 08/09/26 + TUES 15/09/26 18:00 - 20:00 [THREE EVENINGS] |
£298 + VAT |
£506 + VAT |
£759 + VAT |
Delivered online via Microsoft Teams
To learn more about our in-house option, please contact us for details: [email protected]
Course Overview
Are you a councillor who is responsible for a budget or who needs to understand how your council’s money is managed? Do you have to read financial reports, question, and scrutinise spending decisions, or explain budgets to local residents?
Local government finance can be a complex and specialist area. Councillors work alongside qualified and skilled officers to support decision making and plan for the short, medium, and long-term success of both council services and the local economy. As an effective Councillor you need a basic grasp of how council budgets work, where the money comes from, how money is spent and what the risks are. Understanding the finances helps you scrutinise reports and business cases confidently; make informed decisions about spending and investment; spot risks early; and explain financial choices clearly to your community.
This course has been designed in response to issues raised by elected members and is delivered by experienced local councillors with a track record in navigating complex finance, from a member perspective, and communicating it without jargon!
Learning Outcomes
This course will enable you to:
1. Develop confidence in interpreting and using the language of local government finance.
2. Create a narrative to explain the constraints and choices which drive financial decision-making with residents, officers, other councillors.
3. Appreciate the financial roles and legal duties held by both officers and councillors.
4. Understand where local government money comes from, how this is categorised and where public money goes.
5. Appraise financial risk and control (checks and balances) within the political life cycle.
6. Recognize the different time horizons for financial planning (to avoid upstreaming and more costly futures).
7. Assess performance indicators and how they support the economy, the council’s efficiency and effective outcomes for residents.
Who should attend?
This course is suitable for ALL elected members, not just those with financial responsibilities. Equally appropriate if you are newly elected, or a seasoned portfolio holder, member of cabinet, scrutiny or a committee, or a ward councillor interested in the council’s finance
Click on the buttons for more information about the course
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