Our training sessions have been developed to give NSW councillors the knowledge they need to actively contribute to discussion on financial matters, and the confidence to do so. After completing these training sessions, councillors will be able to fully understand the reports management provide to them, and fulfil their role to oversee financial accountability.
You will learn everything you need to fulfil your financial oversight responsibilities under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW); and to contribute to the sound financial management of your council.
These training sessions will count toward your Continuing Professional Development requirements under Part 8A of the NSW Local Government Regulations 2021.
This session has been designed for elected councillors that do not have an accounting background. We’ll cover all the fundamental topics that will help you to understand what it is you are reviewing in your business papers:
- The components of Financial Statements
- How to conduct a high level review of Annual Financial Statements
- Issues to look out for in Financial Statements
- Introduction to Depreciation
The sessions are conducted with your own council’s financial reports and are designed to be fun and engaging. The sessions will give you the confidence to know that you understand what you’re approving, and to question the things you are not comfortable with.
Reviewing Council Financial Statements
Thursday 6th of February 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 11th of February 10:00am to 12:00pm
Thursday 13th of February 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 18th of February 10:00am to 12:00pm
Thursday 20th of February 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 25th of February 10:00am to 12:00pm
Thursday 27th of February 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: $550
This course has been designed for elected councillors that do not have an accounting background. We’ll cover all the fundamental topics that will help you to understand what it is you are reviewing in your business papers:
- Depreciation of Infrastructure Assets
- Infrastructure maintenance: Getting the basics right
- Performance ratios: what they mean and what they mask
The course will be conducted with your own council’s Financial Statements and Report on Infrastructure Assets. We’ll review the reports to get a sense of what your council’s infrastructure backlog is, and how you might go about addressing it.
This module will count toward your Continuing Professional Development requirements under Part 8A of the NSW Local Government Regulations 2021.
Reviewing Council Financial Performance: Infrastructure Management
Wednesday 19th of February 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: $550
This report can show early signs that council is in trouble, but how do you know what to look for? This course has been designed for elected councillors to better understand what they are reviewing in the monthly Report ion Council Investments which is required under s 212 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).
- Restricted and Unrestricted Funds
- Allowable Investments
- What to look for and ask for in a report
The course will be conducted with your own council’s Report on Council Investments, and we’ll also look at some other councils that missed the red flags in these reports.
This training will count toward your Continuing Professional Development requirements under Part 8A of the NSW Local Government Regulations 2021.
Reviewing Reports on Council Investments
Monday 17th of February 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Monday 24th of February 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Cost: $330
In this session, Councillors will learn the process of getting their projects up and running, from conception to delivery. Beginning with stakeholder engagement, we’ll run through the process of how projects get delivered.
- Drafting motions for projects
- How to put time lines on your project
- How to find money in the budget to fund your project
- How to ensure your project advances between meetings
Essentially, this one hour session is all about getting things done. Find it, fund it, build it. No delays, no foot dragging: let’s get that playground upgrade happening!
Getting Things Done on Council: How to get your project moving
Wednesday 26th of February 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Cost: $330
