================================================================= CIPFA E-NEWSLETTER - April 2005 http://www.cipfa.org.uk ================================================================= Dear Colleague Welcome to the April edition of the CIPFA e-newsletter. In this month's issue: * Consolidation update * CIPFA Annual Conference & Exhibition 2005 * Public Finance Public Servants of the Year Awards 2005 * Public Reporting and Accountability Awards 2005 * We want your feedback on the online Shop * New issue of Spectrum * Checklist for Board Members * Local Authority Education Panel newsletter * Health and Social Services Panel e-newsletters * Resource Allocation Models in Further and Higher Education * Getting the Finances Right * The CIPFA Financial Management Model * Top ten CIPFA graduates celebrate success * CIPFA workshops 2005 * Local Taxation in Scotland * FRS 17 commuted sums * Upcoming events and courses * CIPFA in Wales Forum 2005-06 * CIPFA in Wales AGM and seminar * CIPFA in Wales Annual Conference * New events * Technical support for Wales office * IPF news * New courses in the CIPFA Shop * New publications in the CIPFA Shop * Out and about * Conference centre facilities If you have any comments or suggestions, please email joan.lavery@cipfa.org. CONSOLIDATION NEWS ****************** Consolidation update ==================== Detailed draft proposals for the integration of CIPFA and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICEAW) were published in Spreadsheet and Accountancy magazines at the beginning of April. We are very keen to hear members' and students' views and reactions to the proposals. A final prospectus, refined in light of further discussions and feedback, will be published in September as the prelude to voting and decision making at Special General Meetings in October. Discussions concerning the possible involvement of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in a larger tripartite consolidation scheme are continuing. We hope that these may lead to further proposals and membership votes during 2006. More information is available at http://www.cipfa.org.uk/consolidation CIPFA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2005 ***************************************** Manchester International Convention Centre 14-16 June 2005 =========================================== The theme of this year’s conference is 'Raising the bar – building innovative and enterprising public services' and Tony Benn, writer, diarist and veteran Labour politician has agreed to give the closing address. Other eminent speakers include: LORD BIRT, Former Director-General, BBC JAMES STRACHAN, Chairman, Audit Commission SIR ALAN LANGLANDS, Chair, Independent Commission on Good Governance GERALDINE PEACOCK, Chair, Charities Commission BARONESS JULIA NEUBERGER, Lib Dem Health Spokesperson, House of Lords The conference commences with the Public Reporting & Accountability Awards ceremony, an award scheme sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and CIPFA. More details and an online booking form are available at www.cipfaconference.org.uk. To receive a copy of the programme please email margot.gallie@cipfa.org. PUBLIC FINANCE PUBLIC SERVANTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2005 ******************************************************** Winners announced ================= A Leeds fire fighter has been named as this year's Outstanding Public Servant of the Year and two teams - one which operates the bus infrastructure in London and a team which improved the learning environment of schools throughout Belfast - have been announced joint winners of the Outstanding Team of the Year Award. The winners were announced at a glittering ceremony which took place on Thursday 21 April at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane. Learn more about the winners at http://www.cipfa.org.uk/awards/winners05.cfm View the press release at http://www.cipfa.org.uk/press_show.cfm?news_id=23643 CIPFA/PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS PUBLIC REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY AWARDS 2005 ***************************************** Winners to be announced at CIPFA Annual Conference =================================================== Judging for the 4th Public Reporting & Accountability Awards took place on 25 April. The lucky finalists, to be announced shortly, will be invited to an awards ceremony at the CIPFA Conference on Tuesday 14 June in Manchester. Conference delegates are also invited to the ceremony to hear the winners announced. The awards sponsors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, are delighted to promote this scheme which encourages excellence in public reporting and which celebrates best practice organisations whose imaginative approaches help to achieve real advances in accountability. PricewaterhouseCoopers also sponsor the conference welcome reception, which immediately follows the awards ceremony. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/accountability CIPFA NEWS ********** CIPFA Shop Survey: let us know what you think! ============================================== We want to know what you think about the CIPFA Online Shop and would appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete a short survey. This will identify the features you like most and least about the Shop and any missing features that you would like to see added. All comments will be used to help us develop a new and improved Shop to be launched later this year. To complete the online survey, please visit www.cipfa.org.uk/shop_survey.cfm POLICY & TECHNICAL ****************** New issue of Spectrum ===================== The March issue of Spectrum includes two contributions from the United States – one reviewing the US accounting standards setting scene and the other drawing on US local government’s experience of encouraging citizen participation in the finance and budgeting process. For details of other featured articles and to download the magazine, please visit http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pt/spectrum.cfm. Checklist for Board Members =========================== The third Checklist for board members covering risk management is now available to download: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/rsl/download/ rsl_checklist_for_board_members_march05.doc (Word size: 177KB) http://www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/rsl/download/ rsl_checklist_for_board_members_march05.pdf (PDF size: 31KB) Local Authority Education Panel newsletter ========================================== Issue 9 of the newsletter includes short pieces on the recent Budget and Dedicated Schools Budgets, information on CIPFA Seminar Events and current developments in the sector. The newsletter also contains CIPFA’s response to the Government initiatives on delivering efficiency in local services. Copies of the newsletter can be downloaded from the Panel website: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/education/index.cfm Health and Social Services Panel e-newsletters ============================================== Electronic versions of the Health Panel and Social Services Panel newsletters were distributed for the first time in April. Click on a link below to access the new e-newsletters: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/newsletters/health/ health_enews_apr05.html http://www.cipfa.org.uk/newsletters/socialservices/ socialservices_apr05.html Resource Allocation Models in Further and Higher Education =========================================================== CIPFA published ‘Resource Allocation Models in Further and Higher Education: A Compendium’ in 1997. CIPFA’s Further and Higher Education Panel, which oversaw the development of the Compendium, is now producing an updated volume and seeks institutions with interesting models which could feature in the second review. If you are a director of finance in a college or university and would be interested in sharing the characteristics of your approach to resource allocation with others in the sector, please contact kerry.ace@cipfa.org. Getting the Finances Right A briefing for non-executive Board members ========================================== The focus of this briefing is financial management. It looks at the strategic aspects of financial management and the questions that non-executive board members might ask about their organisation’s financial arrangements. A key role of a non-executive member of the Board is to exercise independent and constructive challenge of senior management’s assumptions. Download the briefing: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/financial_management/ download/fm_briefing.pdf (PDF file, 147K) The CIPFA Financial Management Model ===================================== High performing organisations consistently demonstrate strengths in leadership, financial management and in managing performance. CIPFA has developed a powerful, self-assessment model for financial management that identifies the contribution financial management makes to a successful public service organisation. For further information and instructions on how to download the Model, visit the homepage of the CIPFA Shop: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/shop EDUCATION & TRAINING ******************** Top ten CIPFA graduates celebrate success ========================================= CIPFA President Mike Barnes hosted a Prizewinners’ Lunch on 6 April to congratulate the top ten best performing CIPFA students in the 2004 final exams for the CIPFA Professional Accountancy Qualification (Professional 3 level) and the CIPFA Advanced Diploma in Business and Financial Management. Read the press release: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/press_show.cfm?news_id=23446 CIPFA workshops 2005 ==================== During April and May 2005, CIPFA will be offering a series of one-day workshops for students taking PAQ exams. They will be delivered by expert trainers from the CIPFA Education and Training Centre (CETC) at CETC Midlands in central Birmingham. Each workshop will be based on a PAQ module and will focus on specific topics taken from the syllabus. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/eandt/current/ show_notice.cfm?news_id=23224 CIPFA IN SCOTLAND ******************* Local Taxation in Scotland ========================== CIPFA in Scotland has responded to the consultation paper, Local Taxation in Scotland, issued by the Local Government Finance Review Committee. This submission contains a range of information for the benefit of the Committee’s independent review. Download the response: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pt/download/ local_taxation_in_scotland_response.pdf (PDF size: 115KB) FRS 17 Commuted Sums ===================== There has been recent debate on the accounting treatment of FRS 17 commuted sums and the subsequent concern about the impact upon carry forward arrangements prescribed by the Scottish Executive. LASAAC has worked with both the Scottish Executive and Audit Scotland to clarify the position and to reach agreement on a way forward. The following paper sets out guidance on the proposed treatment: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/download/commuted_sums.pdf (PDF size: 29KB) Upcoming events and courses ========================== Managing Under Pressure 29 April, Glasgow ------------------------ This seminar looks at practical ways in which we can alleviate pressure by considering how to manage personal performance, how to manage other people, how to manage the workload and how to manage stress. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/ events_details.cfm?events_ID=2215 Annual Audit, Inspection & Regulation Seminar 3 June, Bridge of Allan -------------------------------------------- This seminar will include the topics of Audit & Inspection – Too Much & Too Costly, Modernising The Audit, The Internal Audit Manual and Inspecting Social Work. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/ events_details.cfm?events_ID=1670 Training --------- CIPFA in Scotland's training programme includes the Introductory Diploma in Management as well as Project Management and Procurement training courses. Read more: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/ events.cfm#training Other upcoming events in Scotland include: 10-05-05 Introduction to Local Government Finance in Scotland: Workshop Edinburgh http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/events_details.cfm?events_ID=776 12-05-05 Process Mapping - Glasgow http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/events_details.cfm?events_ID=2359 17-05-05 Risk Management Workshop: Backing The Future - Edinburgh http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/events_details.cfm?events_ID=1823 10-06-05 Financial Reporting Standards Workshop - Glasgow http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/events_details.cfm?events_ID=1740 17-06-05 Introduction to Financial Management Workshop Edinburgh http://www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/events_details.cfm?events_ID=2232 CIPFA IN WALES ************** CIPFA in Wales Forum 2005-06 ============================= Congratulations are extended to the those individuals who have willingly accepted nominations to serve on the Forum Executive for 2005/06: Chair: Gill Lewis, Wales Audit Office Vice-Chair: Lisa James, Welsh Assembly Government Forum Executive: Bob Carter, City and County of Swansea; Andrew Cheesman, Flintshire Local Health Board; Mike Evans, Coleg Sir Gar; Mark Howcroft, Torfaen CBC; Katrina Michael, Mid Wales Housing Association; Martin Nosworthy, Powys County Council; Martin Sollis, NHS Finance Wales; Sarah Stacey, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Jack Straw, City and County of Swansea together with Ken Finch, Conwy CBC and Lyn James as Forum Past Chairmen. Nominations will be ratified at the CIPFA in Wales AGM on 27 May 2005. CIPFA in Wales AGM and seminar 27 May, Hotel Metropole, Llandrindod Wells ========================================== Mike Barnes, CIPFA's President and Vernon Soare, Director of Policy and Technical, will be attending the third CIPFA in Wales AGM and seminar. A highly participative afternoon has been planned on the topic of 'Leading and Motivating People - even the difficult ones!' http://www.cipfa.org.uk/wales/events_details.cfm?events_ID=2357 CIPFA in Wales Annual Conference 'Innovating Public Services in Wales' November 17-18, Holland House Hotel, Cardiff ============================================ Following the success of last year's event, an 'early bird' discount of 15% is again being offered on the full residential package if you reserve your place before the end of May. Further details and an online booking form will shortly be available online. New events ========== Work is under way to stage the following events: June - LG Capital Finance and Treasury Management in Wales June - Social Services Finance Issues in Wales July - Introduction to Education Finance in Wales July - Housing Finance Issues in Wales September - Wales Audit Conference Further details will be made available online at http://www.cipfa.org.uk/wales/events.cfm Technical support for Wales office ================================== CIPFA in Wales is actively reviewing the level and quality of technical advice and support it offers. Several enquiries have been received from individuals who may be interested in contributing on a contractual basis to support emerging policy and technical issues in the Welsh public sector. If you would also wish to contribute, please contact maria.jones@cipfa.org for information. IPF NEWS ********* Procurement Solutions Conference London, 21-22 June 2005 ================================ This conference will provide an opportunity for delegates and visitors to discover what’s new in procurement, get advice on current issues and become up-to-date with best practice techniques. Speakers will include David Bentley, head of asset management, CIPFA/IPF and Mohamed Hans, lead adviser to the Procurement and Commissioning (PAC) Forum. www.procurementsolutions.gov.uk/ipf. Market Research News ==================== IPF’s Market Research Unit is undertaking a survey of local authority Chief Executives and Customer Service Directors to establish the reach of local Customer Contact Centres and One Stop Shops. This survey will also be used to assess the likely demand for CRM Customer Satisfaction Surveys which examine the quality of the caller or visitor experience. Statistical Information Service News ===================================== The fifth edition of the CIPFA Local Government Monitor survey questionnaire is now available to download from www.cipfastats.net. The survey aims to monitor and examine correlations between outputs/results and expectations from within Local Government. An overall analysis of the survey results will be published in the forthcoming fifth edition of the Statistical Research Bulletin. New CIPFA statistics have been published on Leisure and Recreation, Police Actuals, Personal Social Services Estimates, Crematoria, Cemeteries, County Farms and Highways Estimates. For further information, please visit www.cipfastats.net. CIPFA FAN Rough Guide to the SIC ================================= Regulation 4 of the Accounts and Audit Regulations (2003) requires audited bodies to conduct a review at least once a year of the effectiveness of its system of internal control and publish a statement on internal control (SIC) with the authority’s financial statements. To assist practitioners with the preparation of the SIC, the CIPFA Finance Advisory Network has produced a rough guide that is primarily intended to support authorities with their requirement to produce the full version of the SIC from 2004/5 and reflects current knowledge. For further information please email fan@ipf.co.uk or visit www.cipfanetworks.net. CIPFA SHOP ********** New Courses =========== The Treasury Management Conference 10 May, London Introduction to RSLs Finance 11 May, London Current Technical Developments in Local Authority Education Finance 13 May, London The CIPFA Local Authority Capital Conference 2005 19 May, London Current Technical Developments in Housing Finance 24 may, London An Introduction to the Audit of Construction Contracts 8 June, London Social Services Finance Conference 23 & 24 June, Bristol For more information please visit the Courses section of the CIPFA Shop at http://secure.cipfa.org.uk/cgi-bin/ CIPFA.storefront/EN/Catalog/1031 New Publications ================ Councillors' Guide to Local Government Finance 2005 Fully Revised Edition (2005). Also available in CD-ROM version. (Available 11 May 2005) Proceeds of Crime (Anti-money Laundering) - Practical Guidance for Public Service Organisations (2005) (Available 15 April 2005) It's a Risky Business: A Practical Guide to Risk Based Auditing (Fully Revised Second Edition) (CD-ROM Version) 2005) (Available 19 April 2005) Standing Guide to the Commissioning of Local Authority Work and Services – Version 2 (New Subscriber) (2005) Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom: A Statement of Recommended Practice - Guidance Notes for Practitioners - 2004/2005 Accounts (2005) (Available in Binder version, Binder + CD-ROM and CD-ROM) Handbook for Audit Committee Members in Further and Higher Education (Fully Revised Second Edition) (2005) An Introductory Guide to Education Finance in England (Fully Revised Second Edition) (2005) Getting the Finances Right - A Briefing for Non-Executive Board Members of Public Service Organisations (2005) For more information please visit the 'New Publications' section of the CIPFA Shop at http://secure.cipfa.org.uk/cgi-bin/ CIPFA.storefront/EN/Catalog/10318. OUT AND ABOUT ************** Steve Freer and Maurice Stonefrost, Past President, will address CIPFA in the South East Retired Members at an event to mark the 120th Anniversary of the Institute on 9 May. CIPFA President, Mike Barnes, will attend the CPA National Public Sector Convention in Australia on 18-20 May. Caroline Gardner will address the CIPFA in Scotland Dinner and AGM in Glasgow on 19/20 May. Diane Colley will be attending the CIPFA in South Wales and the West of England AGM on 20 May. TRAINING AND CONFERENCE ROOMS FOR HIRE *************************************** The CIPFA group has a number of training and conference rooms which are available for hire in various central London locations: CIPFA, Robert Street (WC2N). Charing Cross/Embankment stations. For further information, visit http://www.cipfa.org.uk/conference_centre.cfm CETC, Borough High Street (SE1). Borough station. Contact marilyn.clarke@cetc.org.uk for details. CETC, 154 Great Charles Street, Birmingham (B3). New Street Station. Contact marilyn.clarke@cetc.org.uk for details. IPF, Queen Anne's Gate (SW1H). St James's Park station. Contact Conf.Centre@ipf.co.uk for details. [This newsletter is part of CIPFA's online services. If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, please email joan.lavery@cipfa.org]