Bookings should be made direct with the Parkinson Partnership and cost £30 per person for members and £60 for non-members.

The link will take you to their booking page which has a huge selection of dates

https://parkinson.bookwhen.com/

Do not use the GAPTC booking form

If you have to cancel, notify the Parkinson Partnership at least 48 hours before the course so that your council is not charged.

This session is for councillors only and is designed to give them a greater understanding of their duties with regard to the council's finances.

Topics include:
• Roles and responsibilities
• setting a budget and precept
• Financial control
• The Annual Governance & Accountability Return
• Internal and external audit
• How VAT applies to local councils

By the end of the session you will:
• Understand the council's duties regarding financial management
• Be aware of relevant legislation and sources of guidance
• Be aware of how the council's accounts are prepared and audited
• Recognise the importance of internal controls
• Understand how VAT law applies to your council

This session, for clerks, finance staff and councillors who wish to develop their knowledge, explains how VAT affects local councils. Essential for any council contemplating major building projects.

Topics include:
• how VAT law applies to local councils
• where to find the law and guidance
• business and non-business activities
• understanding whether sales are taxable or exempt from VAT
• when a council must register for VAT
• when VAT can be reclaimed
• Partial exemption
• Reclaiming VAT when using grants and donations

By the end of this session you will:
• Know where to find the relevant legislation and guidance
• Understand the key concepts of VAT
• Know when a council can or can't reclaim VAT
• Recognise when a council must register for VAT
• Be aware of activities that require special attention

For councillors and officers that want to understand the role of the internal auditor and how to appoint one. (Please note, this is NOT a training session for people who want to undertake internal audits)

This session explains the role of the internal auditor in providing assurance to the council that it has sound financial controls.

Topics include:
• legislation and guidance
• Roles and responsibilities
• Risk management
• Internal controls
• how the council appoints an internal auditor
• Scope of internal audit
• Reviewing internal control
• Internal audit reports

Session benefits:
By the end of this session you will:
• Understand the purpose of internal audit
• Be aware of relevant legislation and sources of guidance
• Understand how a council should appoint an internal auditor
• Recognise the importance of internal controls
• Be aware of the need to review effectiveness

This session give councillors and clerks an understanding of the need for internal controls and how they work, with practical examples and case studies.

Topics include:
• Roles and responsibilities
• Financial risks
• Purpose of internal controls
• Case studies
• Examples of controls
• Review of internal controls

By the end of Local Council Finance you will:
• Understand the council's and RFO's duties regarding internal control
• Be aware of the purpose of internal controls
• Be able to identify examples of internal controls
• Know when to review internal controls

This session is for parish & town councillors only, to help them understand their role in setting and monitoring budgets.

Topics include:
• setting a budget and precept
• Contingencies and reserves
• how the council tax base affects the budget
• Inflation
• budget monitoring

By the end of this session you will:
• Understand how and when to prepare a budget
• Know how to approve and issue a precept
• Be aware of the factors that affect a budget
• Understand how to manage a budget