Finance Directors’ Group

Sharing ideas and learning from others, to the benefit of all

Several post-it notes pinned on a cork board, one of which says "Make things Happen" in black handwriting

The role of the Section 151 Officer is set out in legislation. Section 151 Officers are responsible for the proper administration of the financial affairs of local authorities. This website and accompanying seminar programme is designed to offer Chief Financial Officers/Section 151 Officers a resource site and and forum to explore challenges and solutions.

We recognise the wealth of experience, enthusiasm and talent of our Section 151 Officers and as with our DCSs, the support of colleagues and safe environment to share ideas and learn from each other is beneficial to all.

The SESLIP Programme Board has agreed to develop a work-stream to support knowledge and solution sharing opportunities for Section 151 Officers and DCS’s as a part of the SESLIP Improvement Plan. 

The South East Region’s Finance Officers Group and DCS Seminar programme is sponsored by Alison Jeffery,  DCS, East Sussex and Deborah Glassbrook who is an approved SESLIP Consultant.

The workshop resources and information can be accessed using the links below.

Governance & Reports

Confidential organisational information is shared under the terms of the current SESLIP Memorandum of Understanding.

A contact list for the Lead Members Group is here.

List of DCS / Section 151 Officers

Useful resources and websites

Links to useful websites:

Upcoming Events

06 February 2024-4pm  

Value for money for whom: challenges of managing costs within children’s social care – Lisa Holmes, Professor of Applied Social Science, School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex.

Please contact Carol Flach (cdflach@yahoo.co.uk) or Deborah Glassbrook (deborah@optimisingpotential.co.uk) if you would like to find out more.

Seminar Information / Previous Presentations and notes

27 September, 2-4pm on TEAMS  

Sufficiency – the challenges and benefits of Local Authorities running their own residential provision – Tina Benjamin – Director of Corporate Parenting, Surrey County Council.

https://www.seslip.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Childrens-Homes-How-they-support-the-Sufficiency-Challenge.pptx

https://www.seslip.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SESLIP-DCS-and-Finance-Directors-Seminar-3.docx

28 June 2023

Suzanne Smith – Assistant Director, Access, Resources and Business Development Hampshire and Carl Edwards – independent consultant.

Responding to the cost challenge of SEND demand and impact on home to school transport budgets.

21 April 2023 

Improving partnership working with NHS colleagues to ensure fair contributions from the NHS to continuing health costs.

Key Speaker: Suzanne Smith, Assistant Director, Access, Resources and Business Development & Hayley Maspero, Head of Strategic Partnerships – Hampshire County Council.

Contact Details

SESLIP Consultant and LGA SEND Improvement Adviser: Deborah Glassbrook (South East Sector-Led Improvement Programme)

deborah@optimisingpotential.co.uk

07882 158959