Harrogate International Centre - 13 to 15 June 2006

The programme for our 2006 Annual Conference is near to finalisation. Confirmed speakers include:

• Sir Michael Barber, former No. 10 advisor
• Steve Bundred, Audit Commission
• Niall Dixon, Kings Fund
• Frank Field MP
• Simon Jenkins, author and journalist
• Mary Keegan, Head of Government Accountancy Services
• Sir Michael Lyons, HM Treasury Advisor
• John Oughton, Chief Executive, Office of Government Commerce
• Professor Colin Talbot, Chair of Public Policy & Management, Manchester Business School
• David Walker, US Comptroller General

To request a copy of the full conference programme and booking form (available from March) contact margot.gallie@cipfa.org, alternatively visit www.cipfaconference.org.uk.

Pride in Public Services – The Public Servants of the Year Awards - Sponsorship opportunities still available

Supported by CIPFA, the Cabinet Office, MORI and the Office of Government Commerce, these awards aim to promote pride in our public services by profiling and rewarding some of the sector's outstanding people.

A small number of the 15 award categories are still available for sponsorship. To learn more about becoming a sponsor contact mike.spray@publicfinance.co.uk.

Tickets are available for the awards ceremony. For your chance to be amongst the guests at this important occasion, hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald OBE and Felicity Barr, contact helen.mcdonnell@cipfa.org. Special rates are available to public sector organisations and companies who sponsor or exhibit at CIPFA's annual conference. For further information, visit www.publicservants.org.uk

Final chance

There is still time to submit an entry for the CIPFA/PricewaterhouseCoopers
Public Reporting and Accountability Awards 2006. These awards aim to recognise and promote good practice in public reporting and to encourage strong, effective accountability.

The deadline for submissions is 28 February and submitting an entry is easy – all we need is a 500-word statement and copies of relevant material demonstrating your strategy in practice. Winners will be announced at the CIPFA conference in Harrogate on Wednesday 14 June.

LAAP Bulletin 63 - Charities managed by Corporate Trustees

This new bulletin highlights the changes to accounting and reporting requirements introduced by the new Charities SORP 2005 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities', which applies to accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2005. It replaces LAAP bulletin 58.

Zero Based Budgeting Briefing

A new topical briefing note is available to download, intended as a brief introduction to the subject of Zero Based Budgeting. ZBB is to be an important tool in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007. Although it has been around since the 1960s, ZBB has had limited impact, but it is possible to apply the underlying concepts effectively with careful targeted planning.

Education Panel responds to Education White Paper

The Education White Paper 'Higher Standards, Better Schools for All' will create "Trust schools" that will have greater independence and freedoms to run their own affairs. View CIPFA's responses to the government's consultations.

Guidance for the development of a Code of Corporate Conduct

This IFAC exposure draft is designed to draw greater attention to the need for corporate codes of conduct, to provide practical guidance on the scope and implementation of such codes, and to support sound corporate governance practices.

Forthcoming PMPA lectures

The Case for Penal Abolition in England and Wales
17 February, London

When is a Customer Not a Customer? 28 March, London, Mike Fogden

CIPFA Learning Centre now open to students

CIPFA students can now register to use the CIPFA Learning Centre (CLC). There is no charge for this new service, which will provide students with tools to support them in their every day tasks and to improve their technical, management and leadership performance.

Double win for CIPFA in PQ Magazine Awards

CIPFA has been celebrating two awards for student services in the PQ Magazine 2005 Awards.

Anthony Gillespie, a CIPFA member and finance manager at East Lothian Council, took the Boss of the Year Award and Graham Ball, senior lecturer at Nottingham Business School and CIPFA course tutor and member, scooped the Personality of the Year Award. Read more

Tom Sowerby Award 2006

The Tom Sowerby Award honours those who have given outstanding service to CIPFA students and this year will be presented at the National Student Forum (NSF) Conference on 28 June in York. If you know of a colleague, tutor or mentor who has shown particular dedication to CIPFA students, why not make a nomination? The deadline for nominations is Friday 17 March 2006.

Interested in appearing in a magazine or newspaper?

CETC are on the look out for willing students studying at one of their four centres to be case studies and help to spread the word about CIPFA qualifications and give an insight in to the life of a CIPFA student studying at CETC.

If you would be happy to be interviewed by a journalist about your studies and your career, please contact Julia Knight, Marketing Manager at CETC in the first instance on 020 7403 4300 or julia.knight@cetc.org.uk.

Certificates in Performance Management and Management & Leadership Skills in Social Care

Harrogate Training & Development Ltd in association with CIPFA are offering two 10-module courses leading to certificates in 'Performance Management' and 'Management & Leadership in Social Care'.

Download further information: Peformance Management (PDF 116KB) | Management & Leadership in Social Care (PDF 95KB)

Alternatively, visit www.htd.org.uk

Local Government Finance Review

CIPFA in Scotland gave evidence to the Local Government Finance Review Committee on 6 February. Read more

Public Performance Reporting

CIPFA in Scotland recently responded to the Scottish Executive’s consultation on public performance reporting by local authorities. Read more

Training Courses and events

CIPFA in Scotland Centenary Conference - 9 & 10 March 2006, Glasgow

Unlocking Scotland's Potential is the theme of CIPFA in Scotland's Centenary Conference and Exhibition. The conference will consider how to unlock the potential for even more efficient, economic and effective public services. Speakers this year include Dr Carol Craig, John Seddon and Tom McCabe MSP, Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform.

Financial Reporting Standards Update - 22 March, Glasgow
This course will provide an update on the latest developments in public sector accounting standards, along with practical examples. Content includes FRS 17, FRS 18, FRS 21, FRS 25 and FRS 26.

Local Government Finance Practitioners Technical Update - 23 March, Edinburgh
This seminar is the key event for finance practitioners and auditors working in or with local government who wish to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest developments. The programme includes Local Government Finance Review, 2005 SORP, SORP Non-Compliance Issues and Accounting For Pensions.

Option Appraisal & The Business Case - 25 April, Glasgow
This workshop provides delegates with practical guidance on option appraisal using 'Green Book' (HM Treasury) guidance and the business case as a management tool.

For further training courses and events being held in Scotland, visit www.cipfascotland.org.uk/events.cfm

Launch of CIPFA NI Branch 2006 programme of events

Events in the 2006 series are as follows:

Strategic Investment Board - 9 March, Belfast
Review of Public Administration - 4 May, Belfast
Effective Financial Management - 9 June, Belfast
Managing Large Projects - 8 September, Belfast
Making Shared Services Happen - 12 October, Belfast
Public Services & the Role of the Voluntary Sector - 10 November, Belfast

Leading Public Accounts Committee speaker to address CIPFA NI seminar
Accountability – A Dose of Reality - 23 March, Belfast

In this important seminar, leading speakers and experts provide their insight into good practice accountability. Of particular interest, Richard Bacon MP, Member of the Public Accounts Committee, will use
his experience as a member of the PAC to highlight key issues by reference to the findings of recent Committee Reports. Read more

Training courses in Northern Ireland

Fraud Awareness for Grants Officers - 21 February, Belfast
Resource Budgeting through Estimates to Accounts - 23 & 24 February, Belfast
Conflict Resolution & Problem Solving - 27 & 28 February, Belfast
Best Practice in Performance Management - 6 March, 21, March and 4 April, Belfast

Vacancy for Optima Independent Board Member

Optima is leading a major regeneration programme involving refurbishment, demolition and redevlopment which totals over £350 milion over a ten year period. Following retirement a vacancy has arisen for an Independent Board Member. For more information on the role and responsibilities please ring Simon Kimberely, Chief Executive, on 0121 687 3100. For an information pack please email pol@optima.org.uk or telephone 0121 687 3105. The closing date for applications is 24 February.

2006 World Congress of Accountants

The 17th World Congress of Accountants will be held in Istanbul, Turkey on November 13-16, 2006. The Congress, organised around the theme "Generating Economic Growth and Stability Worldwide," will feature plenary sessions and workshops led by internationally recognised speakers from the public and private sectors. They will address issues of accounting, auditing, ethics and financial management. For more information and to register to attend, please visit www.wcoa2006istanbul.org.tr.

Launch of an Impartial Voice in Treasury Management

On 31 January 2006, IPF launched the Treasury Management Forum (TMF) at a national event held in Central London to an audience of over 100 public and private sector professionals. It featured a range of
authoritative presenters who spoke on some of the key and topical issues currently being addressed by treasury management practitioners in local government.

New CIPFA FAN Website

The CIPFA Finance Advisory Network (FAN) has updated its website to make it more friendly and accessible. Forthcoming events are presented
in a clear and concise manner. New service offerings such as the Professional Development Programme (linked to the CIPFA Learning Centre) are also given high prominence.

Upcoming CIPFA FAN Event

CIPFA Finance Advisory Network – ‘Planning for efficiency’ series.

Working with the Regional Centres of Excellence and drawing on the practical experience of guest speakers from authorities that have done well in their VFM scored CPA theme, this series will review the outcomes of Gershon so far and consider the latest guidance from the ODPM’s Measurement Task Force.

Relaunch of the CIPFA Benchmarking Clubs for 2006

IPF's Finance, Insurance and Human Resources Benchmarking Clubs are being relaunched in 2006. Read more at www.ipfbenchmarking.net

CIPFA Networks Forthcoming Events

CIPFA Networks deliver support in the form of an integrated series of practitioner-based communities. By subscribing to a network, you immediately
benefit from the ability to attend tailored events and secure ongoing access to a wide range of non-event deliverables encompassing practical briefings, newsletters, help-lines and other guidance.

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