The Finance Advisory Network (FAN) was launched in January 2002, with a clear vision and objective to support finance professionals in working together to enhance the effectiveness of their financial management arrangements. The breadth of membership, with 70% of local authorities subscribing to the FAN, means that the network is uniquely placed to identify and respond to the key financial performance issues facing local authorities. Subscribers are supported by timely and relevant briefings and workshops designed to keep them up to date with changes in professional guidance and legislation. The approach taken ensures that subscribers are able to share examples of best practice and to develop practical and effective responses that address the wider improvement agenda.

The FAN provides the following support to members:

• A programme of workshops and seminars providing the latest guidance on current issues in local government finance and the opportunity to share best practice with other delegates facing similar issues
• Access to a team of four regionally based advisors for technical support and advice
• Regular and timely E-mail news alerts and a quarterly magazine FANzine
• Access to our full web-based library of documentation and briefing notes, with coverage across a wide variety of topics
• Copies of our latest Rough Guides
• The opportunity to support enhanced CPD across the finance team

More detail of events can be found on the events pages of the web site and will be provided in the 2008/09 Full Service Plan. However, as ever, we will keep the programme under review and be flexible in responding to emerging issues and changing subscriber priorities.

 Service Plan 2008

The CIPFA FAN is easy to join and membership is intended to support the varied needs of different councils. The pricing structure reflects a base level of subscription for the entire documentary, website and telephone support and starts at a four place subscription. Place usage can be applied flexibly to the FAN event programme and places are not linked directly to a particular series but can be applied in line with an authority’s training and development needs.

Above that, councils who predict they will use more places are rewarded with a declining cost per place. Prices are split between unitary councils and district and county councils. From 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 these are as follows and all places are pro-rata at the time of subscription.

Additional places over and above your level of subscription are available at a discounted cost of £300 + VAT for subscribing organisations. Non-subscribers can purchase places at £350 + VAT per place.

Marc Harris

Tel: 020 8667 8192

If you would like to find out more information on the benefits of joining the FAN please contact: marc.harris@ipf.co.uk or alternatively you can contact one of our advisors.

We would be very pleased to welcome you to the FAN network