• CIPFA Partners with Open University
• CIPFA 2007 Conference & Exhibition
• The Public Servants of the Year Awards 2007
• Public Reporting and Accountability Awards
• Local Authority Accounting Panel Seeks New Chair
• Housing Panel Response to DCLC Consultation
• The Children's Services Panel's DfESResponses
• Children's Services' DfES Response
• Charities Panel response to Charity Commission
• Panel Newsletters Available to Download
• Children's Services Panel's Green Paper Reponse

• The CIPFA FM Model
• CETC’s IPDS Essential Skills Courses
• CIPFA in Scotland News
• CIPFA in Northern Ireland News
• PMPA News
• Improvement Network News
• Audit Committee Member Vacancies
• Upcoming Events in the CIPFA Shop
• New Publications in the CIPFA Shop
• Out and About
• Conference Centre Facilities
• CIPFA Commercial Services News

CIPFA Partners with Open University

CIPFA and the Open University have entered into a partnership to bring new CPD opportunities to CIPFA members. Visit the CIPFA Learning Centre at http://learning.cipfa.org.uk to find out more.

CIPFA 2007 Conference & Exhibition

Bournemouth, 12-14 June 2007

The CIPFA annual conference – one of the largest events in the public services calendar – took place on 12-14 June and offered a bold and imaginative programme of distinguished speakers covering everything from governance to globalisation and demographic pressures to delivery solutions. The main conference sessions from CIPFA’s annual conference in Bournemouth are now available to view live on our website.

The Public Finance Public Servants of the Year Awards 2007 - TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!

The rigorous work of our judges has taken place and the finalists have been chosen. Good luck to everyone shortlisted. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the awards ceremony on 16 October 2007 at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square.

This glittering awards ceremony is an ideal opportunity to entertain customers, make new contacts and have a great night out. This black-tie event celebrates individual and team achievements from across all sectors of our public services.

Purchasing a table at this presigious event is an ideal way to demonstrate your pride in public services and at the same time puts your name in front of key decision-makers. Join us on Tuesday 16 October, 2007 for a night to remember. Contact margot.gallie@cipfa.org or call 0207 543 5675 for ticket prices and more information.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more about becoming a sponsor contact michael.spray@publicfinance.co.uk

For further information, visit www.publicservants.org.uk.

Public Reporting and Accountability Awards

The award ceremony took place at the CIPFA Annual Conference, on 13 June 2007 at the Bournemouth International Centre. In recognition of their achievements, PwC hosted a drinks reception for all finalists after the ceremony.

Leeds City Council triumphed in the category for local organisations with an annual turnover of more than £50million. The award for national organisations with an annual turnover of less than £50million went to the Home-Grown Cereals Authority, and the category for national organisations with an annual turnover of more than £50million went to Defence Estates.

Wychavon District Council won the award for local organisations with an annual turnover of less than £50million, and also scooped the overall award for the second time, setting a particularily high standard for others to aspire to.

Congratulations to all our winners and finalists.

If you would like further information, as it becomes available, about entering for the 2008 awards please contact juliet.hutchings@cipfa.org.

Local Authority Accounting Panel (LAAP) Seeks New Chair

The Local Authority Accounting Panel (LAAP) needs a new Chair. Expressions of interest are invited from experienced senior local government finance professionals. If you wish to know more please go to www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/laap/new_chair.cfm

Housing Panel Response to DCLC Consultation

CIPFA’s response to the recent DCLG consultation on Housing Revenue Account subsidy: payments to local authorities to offset rental income foregone can be downloaded from: www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/housing

CIPFA FM Model

The revised CIPFA FM Model was launched at the CIPFA conference in June.

The updated FM model will be supported by a new dedicated secure website to allow organisations to undertake self assessments.

Further information can be found by going to the CIPFA shop. The website tools to support self assessment of financial management will be available for use from 16 July.

Panel Newsletters Available to Download

Children's Services Panel newsletter
www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/childrens_services

Social Care Panel newsletter www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/social_care

Children's Services Panel's DfES Responses

The Panel has prepared a response to the DfES consultation on the school, early years and 14-16 funding arrangements for 2008-11. This will be available shortly, at: www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/childrens_services

Children's Services DfES Response

The Education Panel has prepared a response to the DfES Consultation on: School Travel and Transport. The full text can be found at: www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/childrens_services

Children's Services Green Paper Reponse

The Panel has also prepared a response to the Green Paper: Raising Expectations: Staying in Education and Training Post-16. The full text can be found at: www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/childrens_services

Charities Panel response to Charity Commission Consultation

CIPFA’s Charities Panel has responded to the Charity Commission consultation on its Draft Public Benefit Guidance, aiming particularly to help charity trustees understand how their own organisation can show it meets this requirement introduced by the Charities Act 2006. The response can be read at: www.cipfa.org.uk/pt

CETC’s Initial Professional Development Scheme Essential Skills Courses

CETC will be running its popular IPDS Essential Skills courses in both London and Birmingham this summer.

The 1-day course, ideal for all CIPFA students but particularly those who are new or at certificate level, will cover:

• The requirements of the IPDS scheme
• A look at each of the elements of the IPDS with hints and advice
• Techniques required to successfully complete the Experience Log
• Tips on how to write reflectively and an opportunity to practice
• The requirements of the IPDS portfolio and what happens after submission
• The pitfalls and how to avoid them

The London course will be held at CETC South East on Tuesday 31 July and the Birmingham at CETC Midlands on Thursday 2 August.

To book for the course contact Julia Knight at CETC on 020 7403 4300 or email enquiries@cetc.org.uk.

Training Courses and Events in Scotland

Making Sense of Performance Information -  31st July 2007, Edinburgh
Public sector organisations are under increasing pressure to improve their performance at both the strategic and operational levels. One of the key issues is collecting the right performance information and being able to make sense of that information in terms of both performance management and performance evaluation. This course will introduce a number of useful statistical methods to help managers and analysts better understand their performance.

The full programme for the Autumn/Winter Training and Events will be launched on the CIPFA in Scotland Website on the 16th July. To view these events please visit www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland/events.cfm.

Branch Lunchtime Event – Surviving the PAC

7 September 2007, The Spires Centre, Belfast
The outcome of a Public Accounts Committee hearing has a potentially profound effect, not only on the internal morale of a public body but also on its external profile.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, will talk about the lessons learned by NITB and how to take steps to avoid an adverse PAC report as well as how to survive a PAC hearing.

For further information and booking, please contact Nicola Greer at nicola.greer@cipfa.org or on 028 9026 6770.

Buying with Confidence – An Essential Update on Procurement

6 September 2007, The Culloden Hotel, Belfast
As the efficiency agenda continues apace, the continuing challenge facing the public services within Northern Ireland is to provide better value for money. One of the key issues within this process is the delivery of effective, efficient and economic procurement.

This important event will provide delegates with examples of best practice in procurement from across the United Kingdom and Europe. The seminar is aimed at all those officers in the public services with a role in purchasing and supply.

Delivering More with Less - Surviving the Big Squeeze!

27 & 28 September 2007, The Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle
The CIPFA Northern Ireland 2007 conference is being held in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle on Thursday 27 September & Friday 28 September.

Money for public services is tight and becoming tighter. Conference 2007 addresses just how much further change can realistically be delivered as the rate of growth in funding and resources slows down. Is the squeeze on public services becoming almost unbearable?

Now in its 16th year, the CIPFA Northern Ireland conference has built a reputation for providing a bold, imaginative and highly relevant programme of inspirational speakers who are prominent in their field and who come with national and international reputations.

Public Money & Management Call for Papers

Papers are invited for consideration for inclusion in two special themed issues of Public Money& Management.

The first is on Sustainable development and the public sector, and will be edited by Professor Jan Bebbington (University of St Andrews, UK). The deadline for submission of proposals is 31 December 2007, and final papers will be due by March 31 2008.

The second is on Whole of Government Financial Reporting: International Trends, edited by Giuseppe Grossi, University of Siena, Italy and Sue Newberry, University of Sydney, Australia. The deadline for submissions is 30 April 2008. Accepted papers will be presented at a workshop in Siena from 31 August to 2 September 2008.

Full details can be found at www.cipfa.org.uk/pt/pmm/pmm_2007.cfm.

A Practical Guide to Good Governance

With support from governance leads at CIPFA and the Audit Commission, the Improvement Network has re-launched its 'Governance' section to provide practical support for managers and practitioners.

Access the new 'Governance' content: www.improvementnetwork.gov.uk/governance

The Improvement Network website is jointly sponsored by the Audit Commission, CIPFA, IDeA and the Leadership Centre for Local Government.

Audit Commitee Member Vacancies

The Law Society Council wishes to appoint two new members to its Audit Committee, to replace two current Committee members whose term of office expire at the end of August 2007.

Details and an application pack can be found at www.cipfa.org.uk/volunteers/externalvacancies.cfm.

Introduction to Treasury Management in Local Government - 12 July 2007, London more

Unused Potential: time for a new look at Local Authority Income - 17th July 2007, London more

Local Authority Accounting: The 2007 SORP and BVACOP 2007 (London) - 17th July 2007, London more

Open Courses

Finance for Non-Financial Managers - 6 & 7 September 2007, York more 

Introduction to Internal Audit - 11 & 12 September 2007, Cardiff more

Grant-Funding in the Public Sector - 13 & 14 September 2007, London / 18 & 19 September 2007, Cardiff more

European Funding Regulations - 19 September 2007, Chester more