Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 55
55
Rejected
Mandate minimum financial training for all councillors and statutory officers.
Recommendation
The Government must mandate a minimum level of financial training for all councillors and statutory officers, so that all councillors are at least able to understand their council’s financial accounts and use them to compare their actual performance with the initial budget, to hold their officers to account when necessary, and to be suitably equipped to take decisions in the best interests of the taxpayer. (Recommendation, Paragraph 208) Local audit and early warnings
Government Response Summary
The government rejects mandating financial training, stating it is the responsibility of local authorities, but highlights its funding of the LGA's Sector Support Programme, which already provides financial training for councillors and officers.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces and their own improvement – the government expects this will include ensuring their councillors and statutory officers have the right level of financial training so they can perform their functions. To help with this, MHCLG funds the LGA to deliver the Sector Support Programme, which includes support for both officers and members on financial skills and knowledge. An example of this is the Leadership Essentials programme for councillors, which provides financial training for both finance portfolio holders and non-finance cabinet members.