This course is available for Members of the Association of Monitoring Officers to attend at a reduced price of £75 + VAT. Email amo@llg.org.uk to secure your discounted place!
This training course is designed for anyone seeking to understand the structure and governance of Combined and Strategic Authorities as this model continues to be rolled out across England. It will be particularly relevant to members of the Association of Monitoring Officers (AMO), as well as those considering a Monitoring Officer or Deputy Monitoring Officer role within a Combined Authority.
This session will explore:
The implications of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act
The different types of new Strategic Authority:
Areas of competence for Strategic Authorities
Governance and structure
Interfaces including key relationships with constituent authorities
The role of statutory officers at the Combined Authority
The experience and practical perspective of a Combined Authority Monitoring Officer, including the challenges, the differences from the role of a Local Authority Monitoring Officer and working with an elected mayor
There will also be an opportunity for questions and discussion during the session, so join us to better understand the creation and operation of Combined/Strategic Authorities and the role of the Monitoring Officer within them.
Bethan Evans Governance Training and Consultancy, GOV TC
Beth is a recognised expert in local authority governance and decision-making, having worked in this field for over 40 years. She was an in-house lawyer for nearly 20 years, at four different councils in England (including Bristol City Council, Avon County Council and South Gloucestershire Council). She moved from a practitioner specialising in education, housing, commercial and social care law into management posts, culminating in roles as a County Solicitor and a Director of Corporate Services in a unitary authority.
Beth led the Welsh Local Government Agency responsible for improvement and development in the 22 unitary councils in Wales (and the regional employer) for three years from 1998.
In 2001 Beth moved to a role as a partner with Bevan Brittan LLP, a leading national law firm, where she led the local government team for 17 years, for 4 years of which she was Senior Partner of the firm. The firm has, for many years, been ranked Band One legal advisors for local authorities.
Legal 500 rankings 2017 – UK Local Government Law
Bethan Evans is the “undisputed leader in the field”
In 2016, Beth left her legal role and set up her business as an independent governance trainer and advisor. She is an experienced and highly regarded practitioner in this field. She specialises in member and officer development for local authorities. She has a wealth of practical experience which enables her to bring these insights to her training.
In this capacity, Beth has provided sessions for over 120 councils over the last few years, including county councils, unitaries, London boroughs, combined authorities, districts, and parishes.
Beth works extensively with LLG on their programme of governance related sessions and on training for Monitoring Officers.
Other roles
In addition to her professional business, Beth has held trustee/non-executive roles including:
Chair of the charity Ablaze which seeks to address inequality of opportunity and achievement in young people by bringing businesses and schools together in reading, maths, and mentoring programmes
Non-executive Director of Bristol Energy Limited for 2 years
Recently retired, Helen was the Chief Legal & Governance Officer and Monitoring Officer at the West Midlands Combined Authority. Helen is also a Past President of LLG.
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10:00 - 12:30
Online
