Tim's Council Diary: Finance Training - Living the Dream

Warwick University: long time since I've been there, and honestly: its NICE (or at least, the business school I was in for two days was nice - never actually left the premises!).

I was there to attend a Local Government Association Finance Trainng Course on behalf of the district. It's obvious why: look at the programme, and its irresistable:

This two-day programme will enable participants to get to grips with their council’s financial planning and budgeting process. Topics covered will include;

• The role of leaders and portfolio holders in a changing financial environment

• Working with others to make sense of the opportunities

• Understanding the council’s finances

• Navigating the budget process

• The financial aspects of the new delivery models

• Recognising a good business case for change

I think like most such training, plenty of stuff I knew, some stuff it reminded me about, and a fair amount of new learning too, and some time to think.What is also helpful though is the chance to meet and network with people from other Councils. My hot take: our financial position at Folkestone & Hythe is no worse than most, and much, much better than some.

Of the Councils there with responsbility for Adult and Child Social Care, (which district councils do not) I don't think there was one that wasn't thinking they were within 2 years of a S114 notice (effective bankrupcy) unless things change soon. That's not due to bad management or bad decisions: just much more demand for those services, those services costing more to provide as staff costs rise, and a cap on the amount of Council Tax they can charge, Something will have to give...