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Budget managers:

4.Business partnering

On this page:

    Introduction

    As well as following our essential spending principles, this guidance will help you as a budget manager, understand what business partnering is and how you can work with representatives to manage your budget effectively.

    Business partnering explained

    This is where support services such as finance, people services, legal and business change are aligned with budget managers from services to:

    • guide and promote evidence-based decision-making
    • enable the service to deliver their objectives and those of the council
    • make sure ownership and accountability sits with the right people
    • support and challenge decisions.

    How it can help you

    As a budget manager, you will have the tools, guidance, and support needed to effectively manage your budget and achieve savings. You'll work closely with support service representatives, following a business partnering approach.

    Regular meetings and clear communication

    You'll regularly meet with experts to discuss your budget, future plans, and any differences between planned and actual spending. Financial information will be shared with you in a clear and easy-to-understand format.

    Understand and use data

    You’ll discuss and plan your budget from past performance and future predictions. You’ll also analyse performance, looking at actual spend in comparison to the budget and why there are differences.

    Make informed decisions

    Financial analysis will be shared with you so you can make informed decisions about potential new projects and cost-saving. You’ll also identify the risks and opportunities and how to handle these.

    Track and evaluate performance

    Your performance will be tracked to make sure you are delivering within budget and align with the council priorities. Reports will be provided to ensure accountability and transparency.

    Support

    Finance business partnering representatives are available to provide guidance and advice, helping you deliver effectively for your service and target audience, while ensuring you understand how to use financial tools efficiently.

    Help and support

    If you need any further help as a budget manager you can contact the finance business partnering representatives for your directorate:

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    Financial accountabilities and assurance framework

    This framework guides budget managers and officers on their financial responsibilities. It supports effective management and complements the council’s constitution and financial procedure rules.

    The framework is based on a Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (RACI) approach and has been adapted to suit our organisation.

    Finance manual of guidance

    The finance manual of guidance offers practical advice on day-to-day financial management, helping officers navigate common issues while supporting consistent and effective financial control.

    Find out more about the finance manual of guidance

    Grant claims and manual of guidance

    If you have an idea for a project within your service area that could improve performance or make savings you may be able to claim a grant to fund it.

    Grant claims toolkit

    The grant claims toolkit includes:

    • audit requirement checklist
    • details about the flexi grant portal
    • grant closedown following receipt of the payments
    • reference to the grants manual of guidance.

    Grants manual of guidance

    This provides advice and support in the grant process from initial identification of a project through to monitoring of the spend.

    Commissioning and procurement guide

    The guide provides practical advice and guidance on the commissioning and procurement of supplies, services and work. This will help to ensure you comply with our contract procedure rules.

    Employee confidential helpline

    0330 380 0658

    Speak to fully qualified counsellors and support specialists at any time, 365 days a year.

    Use code 107574 to access the online resources.

    More about the employee assistance programme

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