- Introductory * 3 hours CPD
This course is aimed at lawyers and others working in local government who are new to this environment and would benefit from an overview of local government structure, functions, roles and responsibilities. The course will cover:
- The history of local government - origins of local authorities, charters, emergence of municipal corporations, Local Government Acts 1948 and 1972, committees and officers, Local Government Act 2000, elected mayors and executives
- The different types of local authority
- Local authority functions - who does what and why it matters
- Councillors and elections
- Officers
- Council constitutions
- Community governance and leadership
- Rules and regulations - procedural standing orders, contract standing orders, financial regulations, officer rules and mandatory standing orders, anti-fraud and whistleblowing procedures, member and officer protocols, codes of conduct
- Decisions making - agendas, reports and minutes, duty to give reasons, human rights, Wednesbury unreasonableness, judicial review, consultation and legitimate expectation, bias and predetermination, vires, well-being powers and charging and trading
- Central government control - Probity controls, CCT and best value, inspection and league tables, government guidance, mandatory strategies and reducing the burden
- Legal liability - appeals, judicial control, civil and criminal liability, personal liability and indemnities
- Service delivery options - direct provision, shared services, outsourcing and partnering, PFI, LIFT and BSF
- Finance
- Government policy - the CLG and the other Departments of State, "Strong and Prosperous Communities"