Details of events relevant to Central Government finance will be added as soon as they become available.

Central Government articles
CIPFA Central Government panel member Christina Earls has recently authored two short articles on the issues facing central government finance practitioners.

Embedding IFRS takes a look at the next steps for central government now that IFRS has been implemented.

Securing the Future gives a front-line financial manager’s perspective on the key drivers that will impact upon the public sector’s ability to respond to the challenges of the government’s spending cuts.

The articles can be downloaded here.

(Posted 12 July 2010)

CIPFA Central Government Panel to appoint new Chair
CIPFA is seeking a senior finance director in the Central Government sector to chair its Central Government Panel.

The CIPFA Central Government Panel reports to CIPFA’s Public Finance and Management Board (PFMB). The panel focuses on the finance and financial management issues that arise in Central Government departments, their agencies and NDPBs.

Further areas covered are:

• responding to consultation/discussion papers and exposure drafts issued by Government, professional and other bodies
• developing, promoting and maintaining best practice, standards and guidelines and the production and dissemination of relevant advice and material for members and employers, on issues falling within the Panel's areas of responsibility
• advising the Institute on technical and policy developments within the central government finance sector and
• establishing positive and productive professional relationships with Government, government departments and agencies, the national audit bodies, professional regulators, elected representatives and other key decision-makers, and other bodies falling within the Panel's areas of responsibility.

The panel oversees the development of a programme of publications, seminars and a major annual conference that provide insight, guidance and advice on key finance and governance issues in Central Government.

The annual time commitment of the chair extends approximately to two Panel meetings, attendance at PFMB meetings on an occasional basis and an annual conference usually in central London. Click here for further details on the work of the Panel. A role description for the Panel chair can be downloaded here.

For more details or an informal discussion please contact Nigel Keogh, Central Government Technical Manager on 01204 592311. Expressions of interest with a supporting statement and CV should be e-mailed to nigel.keogh@cipfa.org.uk by close on Friday 3rd September 2010.

(Posted 12 July 2010)

Chancellor announces creation of an Office for Budgetary Responsibility
The Chancellor to the Exchequer, George Osbourne, has today announced the creation of an independent Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR).

The Office, which will be led by a Budget Responsibility Committee headed by Sir Alan Budd, will be in charge of making independent forecasts for the economy and the public finances. The first of the OBR’s forecasts are due to be published ahead of the emergency budget, which will be held on 22 June 2010. The Office has also been tasked with looking into long-term pressures such as “the cost of our ageing society, public service pensions, or the cost of outstanding PFI contracts”. The Chancellor also confirmed that the results of a full Spending Review would be presented in the autumn.

The OBR will operate on a non-statutory basis until legislation, due to be presented in the Queen’s Speech, is passed.

The full announcement can be found at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/press_01_10.pdf

(Posted 17 May 2010)

CIPFA Central Government Panel Meeting 20 April 2010

The CIPFA Central Government Panel met on 20 April 2010. Please click here to download a note of the proceedings.

(Posted 23 April 2010)