The LGA has refreshed its support for councillors on finance, governance and audit.
During what are increasingly challenging times for the local government sector, it is important that councillors have the skills and knowledge to deliver on their councils’ priorities.
To do this effectively, councillors need to understand their role in regard to local government finance, good decision-making, and understanding and managing risk.
The LGA has developed what we hope is an accessible support offer for newly elected councillors and those looking for a refresh on these key topics.
As the Chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, I am passionate about supporting councillors to develop their skills.
We know that when you are newly elected you have a lot to learn in a short space of time.
We hope that the programmes and resources we have developed equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to do your role effectively.
All of the programmes can be found on our website and are fully subsidised. They operate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so please book in soon!
The LGA’s development support offer for councillors is not just focused on finance, governance and audit; it covers everything from biodiversity to being an effective ward councillor – see www.local.gov.uk/our-support/highlighting-political-leadership. See also our councillor hub for events for new councillors, at www.local.gov.uk/our-support/councillor-and-officer-development/councillor-hub.
Financial resilience – support offer
Finance without numbers
As the title suggests, this virtual event, running on 14 September and 2 November, is ideal for new councillors and provides an overview of local government finance without any numbers. Instead, it focuses on roles, responsibilities, key terminology and processes. Please register on our events page (www.local.gov.uk/events).
Introduction to audit for new councillors
Understanding the effective governance and decision-making process of a council is one of the key skills for a newly elected councillor. This short session, on 10 July, will assist with one aspect of this in particular – the role of the audit committee. Visit www.local.gov.uk/our-support/councillor-and-officer-development/councillor-hub/events-new-councillors to book your place.
Financial governance
By law, councillors are “charged with governance”, so it is essential that every councillor understands what effective financial governance looks like. This online course raises awareness of their role in ensuring that the council’s systems, processes and culture deliver effective financial governance arrangements.
Leadership Essentials
We are continuing to run our popular Leadership Essentials programmes to support councillors in chair or cabinet member roles. These programmes are held in person at Warwick Conferences, Coventry.
They include:
- Finance leadership – this programme is an opportunity to focus on financial management and governance ahead of the final stages of the 2023/24 budget process.
- Audit leadership – this programme will discuss how councils’ audit committees can be most effective.
- Finance for non-finance cabinet members – an exciting new course that will demystify the financial elements of your portfolio or the policy committee that you chair.
For further details, please visit www.local.gov.uk/our-support/highlighting-political-leadership/leadership-essentials and/or email [email protected].
E-learning
Expand your political leadership skills with our free e-learning platform for councillors, which includes modules on local government finance and an introduction to audit committees
– see www.local.gov.uk/councillor-e-learning.
Councillor workbook – local government finance
This workbook considers the way local councils receive their funding and highlights the legal and best practice requirements in managing your council’s financial affairs, see
www.local.gov.uk/councillor-workbook-local-government-finance.
Regional audit forums
For audit committee chairs, we facilitate regional audit forums to help identify systemic audit issues and share good practice. Please contact [email protected] for more information.