Seminar: Demystifying Local Government Finance for Private Sector &Partners

Local councils work with a wide variety of private sector suppliers and partners to deliver essential public services to their communities. However, the way that councils are governed and controlled, how decisions are made and where the finance comes from is very different from the private sector.

Therefore, a solid understanding of such matters is essential for any private sector organisation seeking to do business in the local government marketplace.

This seminar is specifically designed to highlight key issues and information that potential private sector partners must understand to effectively win and retain contracts within local councils.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

- Understand how local government is organised, and the role of elected members.
- Understand how budgets are formulated and agreed and key sources of funding for local government.
- Use and interpret key financial documents
- Appreciate what local councils require from private sector partners and suppliers.

Programme 

9:30 Registration and Refreshments

10.00 Welcome, Introductions and Objective Setting

10.15 Governance and Decision Making in Local Government

- The Council, Mayoral, Cabinet and Committee system explained
- How decisions are made
- Ethical and governance considerations

11.15 Refreshments

11.30 How the budget is calculated and agreed

- Legal requirements
- Fund accounting explained
- Where the money comes from and why there is never enough
- The budget setting process

12.45 Lunch

13.30 Key Documents - Case Study

- Committee reports explained - including the annual budget report
- The Published Financial Statements interpreted

14.45 Refreshments

15.00 What local government requires from its partners

- Types of partnership arrangements
- Best Value and Social Value

15.45 Final Question and Answer Session

16.00 Seminar Evaluation and Close

On Tuesday November 21, 2017 at 9:30 am (ends 4:00 pm)

Category: Classes / Courses - Profession