December 2024
Urgent action is needed now to tackle the workforce gaps in local government finance teams, says a new report from CIPFA and the Local Government Association (LGA).
The report, Local Government Finance Workforce Action Plan for England, outlines four key recommendations to address critical shortages in finance staff across English councils.
The research reveals a 16% vacancy rate in finance positions and significant recruitment and retention challenges, as evidenced by an average turnover rate of 12.5% among local authority finance teams. There is now an urgent need for targeted training and development initiatives to ensure that councils can continue to maintain essential services.
Pay is seen as the main barrier to recruitment. The authors of the report say more work is needed to promote careers in local government finance, alongside rethinking reward packages to appeal to a more diverse range of candidates.
Comprehensive workforce development strategies for local government finance, including increased access to qualifications, continuous professional development (CPD) and better management training, would enhance staff capabilities and assist both recruitment and retention.
The current high staff turnover is putting unsustainable pressure on finance teams. The report says building a positive working culture, offering career progression and reducing reliance on agency staff are vital steps to improving retention.
