Background

1. Finance Leadership Network Pause and ReviewPresented by Paul Whiting, Glyndwr University on behalf of the Finance Leadership Network Steering Group

2. Background • Finance Leadership Network created in 2008 • Developed by Christine Daws and Helen Usher • Led by Helen Usher • Team Broadened from June 2010 onwards with the appointment of; • Sarah Cooper – Commissioner, Finance Leadership Programme (appointed June 2010) • Michelle Lynam – Project Administration and Monitoring Officer (appointed September 2010) • Julie Lord – Project Administration Team Support (appointed October 2010) • Angela Griffin – Delivery and Events Manager (appointed November 2010) • Deborah Butler – Manager of Best Practice and Communications (appointed December 2010)

3. Original Purpose of Network (1) seeking innovative solutions to delivery of One Wales priorities – using cross-sector, cross-Wales networks to generate new ideas for service delivery developing common solutions to new requirements – a small cross-sector group could develop principles for implementation of a new requirement and then disseminate these widely collaborating on individual projects – providing a mechanism for bodies to seek partners for project delivery working together to develop alternative approaches to common problems – eg utilisation of assets, capital and revenue funding constraints on continuing collaborative projects disseminating analyses of new technical and accounting requirements – providing an easy way of tapping into the analytical work of the Wales Audit Office, CIPFA, HM Treasury, WLGA etc sharing best practice and lessons learned – stopping the wheel being re-invented around Wales (and learning from outside Wales too!) and so being more prepared for the challenges ahead

4. Original Purpose of Network (2) cross-sector sharing – currently much good work is being undertaken on a sector-by-sector basis which could usefully be shared more widely building a better understanding of the strategic priorities, operating environments and governance arrangements of other organisations – for effective collaboration it is necessary to understand the constraints of partner organisations sharing training and development opportunities – particularly at a leadership level, as the move from being a specialist finance person to being a strategic leader at Board level can be quite a challenge and last, but certainly not least! providing an opportunity to get to know each other better - to provide help and support for each other, build trust, and so make collaboration easier

5. Achievements to Date • National Conferences held December 2009, July 2010 and December 2010 • Full team appointed (June – December 2010) • Value for Money Benchmarking Exercise concluded (events held in July and November 2010) • Benchmarking Working Group meetings conducted (most recent November 2010, next meeting scheduled December 2010 • Creation of e-resource to enable greater ease of information sharing, discussion and circulation of documentation www.nliah.com/portal (launched August 2010) • Ongoing preparation of Finance Leadership Programme – seeking to deliver pilot April 2011 in line with business need • Creation of Steering Group – October 2010

6. Finance Leadership Network Steering Group Membership

7. Finance Leadership Network Steering GroupTerms of Reference • to set the strategic direction and success factors for • the Network • to shape the agenda of the National Conferences and • Regional Meetings • to identify further Network activities • to oversee the delivery of all Network activities • to monitor delivery of the ESF project • to evaluate the impact of the Network in (approx.) 2 years time

8. Finance Leadership DivisionProposed Priorities • To implement the requirements of the Steering Group to enhance the strategic direction and success factors for the Network • To continue to deliver successful Directors of Finance National Conferences every 6 months focussing on topics that will be of greatest value to the DoF community • To re-establish regional meetings in a style that meets the requirements of the DoF community • To agree and implement the next steps re: benchmarking following the completion of the evaluation and final report following the 2010 Value for Money exercise conducted by Socitm • To continue to strengthen the communication channels to enhance joint working opportunities across the Network • To continue to design the Finance Leadership Programme with a view to deliver the pilot in April 2011 • To re-establish the Climate Change Working Group

9. Questions for Table Discussion • Are the priorities for the Finance Leadership Division appropriate and in line with the requirements of the Network? • Are there any areas which the Network feels should be added to this list? • Does the Network feel that Regional Meetings are still the best approach? If so, how frequently should these be held? • Is there an appetite across the Network to exchange Regional Meetings to sector meetings (i.e. Health, Education, AGSB, central departments, Local Authorities, Emergency Services and Housing) or do these already exist? • Re: 4 – does the Network feel that there is a need to hold separate Regional Meetings and Sector Meetings or is there scope for these to be merged? • Are there any comments regarding the value of the Network that colleagues would like to raise?

10. Should you wish to add any further comments, please feel free to contact the Finance Leadership Network Mailbox;financeleadershipnetwork@wales.gsi.gov.uk