Officials thrash out ways to improve the management of local government finances

Tackling complex issues relating to local government finances was the focus of the Sixth Commonwealth Executive Programme on Finance for Sub-national and Local Governments.

This programme, organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, took place at the University of Birmingham, UK, from 18 to 22 October 2010.

The event saw officials managing local government finances knock heads and discuss how best to improve operations and services.

The workshop covered issues geared towards enhancing local revenue sources, property taxation and intergovernmental fiscal transfers. Participants also discussed alternative cost-effective options for delivering services, and innovative financing options for municipal infrastructure projects.

The 30 participants from across the Commonwealth who attended the workshop also held detailed discussions with senior management officials from Birmingham City Council. They exchanged ideas on issues such as prudential borrowing by local authorities and the role of regulatory committees on the Council.

“The discussions on intergovernmental fiscal transfers and budgeting were particularly stimulating,” said Adams Kargbo, Director of Local Government at Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. “The programme is surely suitable for officials engaged in local government finance at both national and sub-national levels of government.”

Emmanuel Kwadwo Danso, Principal Operations Officer, District Assemblies’ Common Fund, Ghana, said: “It is a good opportunity for me and my organisation to improve on our sharing criteria, resource management and monitoring of policy implementation at the local government level.”

John Wilkins, Acting Director of Governance and Institutional Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said: “A key thrust of the programme was to help local government officials understand that there are ways of devising alternative forms of delivering services, such as bringing in private sector money and expertise.”

He added: “With the decentralisation of powers to local government also comes a huge responsibility. We assist member governments with up-to-date financial management techniques and tools.”

Participants at this event were also enrolled on the Commonwealth (Local Government) Finance Officers Network (CFONet), an online community of practitioners.

This online network facilitates discussion on issues such as inter-governmental transfers and borrowing by local governments. It also promotes stewardship and fiduciary responsibility as fundamental principles.

Email localgovernment@commonwealth.int if you are interested in becoming a member of CFONet.

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