Finance Summit Agenda

VAT – Registration and Recovery
Richard Strevens Principal Indirect Taxes Consultant, PSTAX & Nick Burrows, PSTAX 

Richard Strevens and Nick Burrows will look at the VAT liability of leisure services including admissions to council owned sports and leisure facilities. They will cover the impacts that might have both on the treatment of the related income and perhaps even on the need for some council’s to remain VAT registered.

In Your Interest
Kelly Watson, Local Government Relationship Manager, CCLA

At a time when interest rates are offering investors more options for their cash, how can organisations maximise returns on these assets whilst not taking their eyes off longer-term investment?

How Being a Landlord Can Boost Council Income
Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk for Knutsford Town Council

This session will provide an overview of how letting out spare rooms or buildings can help your council finances. It will look at how to be creative with empty space, how having a tenant can save you money, and provide some pointers for first-time council landlords.

Get in on the (Procurement) Act: must-knows for Finance
Bev Thomas, Harlow Council

The session will provide an overview on the Procurement Act due to come into force in Spring 2024, how local councils can make the most of the new flexibilities in the legislation; and will signpost to the additional support available

How to do Medium Term Financial Planning 
Alan Mellor, SLCC Finance Advisor

Whilst all parish councils set their annual budgets and precepts, many don’t consider the implications of these decisions for future years.

Considering budgets for more than just the next financial year is good practice, this session will give you the tools to deliver this for your council.

Access to Cash in the Community
Lawrie Chandler, Edale UK Management Ltd 

With more branches closing on the high street how do small communities support the loss of personal and business banking? This session showcases a study commissioned by Ware Parish Council to consider the viability of starting a Community Bank to help local residents or alternative methods to support cash use in the area. This session will be presented by the consultants that delivered the work with some interesting lessons learned that could be applied to your area.