Local Government KnowHow

Financial Governance 101: What you need to know

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Purpose of the Workshop?

This course aims to provide local government elected members with skills and confidence in understanding local government finances and how to identify and use information to assist in providing financial governance oversight and influencing plans. It explores:

• The relationship between planning and the LTCCP process and financial information;
• Important accounting and asset management concepts;
• Balance sheet management and financing choice; and
• Using the lessons learnt in identifying options, considering information needs and decision-making.

Feedback from both new and highly experienced councillors (including people trained as accountants) said they found this course both useful and interesting and would recommend it.

A good mix of elected members and senior officers from New Plymouth District Council took LGNZ's Financial Governance Course - in short fantastic! Well received by all involved regardless of their financial acumen. All gained from the course, and our LTCCP process has been better for the investment made in our people. Whether deliberations are happening in buoyant or more challenging times, it is critical we all have an understanding and appreciation of the financial implications of that decision-making. This course goes a long way to helping that happen! I have no hesitation in recommending participation. Peter Tennent, New Plymouth Mayor

Course Dates and Locations

Course will be run across the country, please see below for the date and location of the course nearest you:

Date	Location
6 April	Whangarei
22 May	Nelson
12 June	Papakura
22 June	Palmerston North
25(pm) - 26(am) June	Dunedin
3 July	Hamilton
7 August	Christchurch
10 August	Timaru
10 August	Thames-Coromandel
17(pm) - 18(am) August	Rotorua
21 August	Carterton
24 August	Queenstown
31 August	Auckland
18 September	Lower Hutt
9 October	Whakatane
21 October	Wellington
30 October	Invercargill
9 November	Stratford
16 November	Greymouth
19 November	Te Kuiti
23 November	Hastings

Course Fees

The initial price for the financial governance course is $300 per person +GST. This is an introductory price and will only apply for the short term, to allow more elected members to undertake this valuable training and raise the profile of the professional development programme while the full suite of courses is being developed. The cost for this small personalised course is expected to increase in future years.

A flat fee course option for the Financial Governance course is also available. This requires a council or group of councils to commit to purchasing the course and allows them to pass on a lower per head cost if the course is filled.

Please contact knowhow@lgnz.co.nz or call Local Government New Zealand on 04 924 1200 and ask to speak to the professional development project manager if you would like to discuss a flat fee option, request an additional course or have any concerns about your members ability to attend the course.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The registration fee covers only registration to attend the course. Travel and accommodation, if required, will be at your expense.

Further Information

If you have any questions or require any additional information please contact Fiona McDonald at SOLGM on 04 978 1289 or by email fmcdonald@solgm.org.nz