Policy Adviser - Local Government Funding

About the Group Public Services Group The Public Services Group is at the heart of Treasurys work to secure sustainable public finances and drive economic growth. We manage public spending of more than 250bn. across key public services and departments, including health, education, the criminal justice system, local government, housing, defence and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We do this by working with other government departments, ministers, and other Treasury teams to ensure that spending plans support high quality public services, help the economy to grow and provide value for money for the taxpayer. Our roles offer a range of opportunities to work with senior leaders in other government departments and on the frontline of public services and ensure the effective delivery of public services. The Group is committed to being an excellent place to work, with a relentless focus on good management, learning and development and continuous improvement in everything we do. About the TeamThe Local Government and Reform team is responsible for managing HM Treasurys interests in local government policy and funding. We work closely with colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other departments to shape the governments approach to the local government sector.This includes ensuring that councils have the resources they need to deliver key services and implement government priorities, including reform of adult and childrens social care. We also seek to ensure that financial powers and policy responsibilities are devolved to the most appropriate level of government. HM Treasury has an interest in these issues from both a spending perspective (ensuring expenditure is affordable and delivered within budgets) and an economic perspective (evaluating whether policies offer value-for-money and will deliver the benefits envisaged). The team is split into two units: the Local Government Finance Unit and the English Devolution and Economic Clusters Unit.The Local Government Finance Unit comprises a Range E2 (Grade 6); two Range E's (Grade 7); and four range Higher Executive Office/Senior Executive Officer's, of which the post holder will be one. The team is friendly and inclusive. We welcome people from different backgrounds and experiences and support flexible work patterns. Come join us!About the Job This is a key role within the team, offering a broad and stretching remit and lots of opportunities for growth and development. The three previous post holders left on promotion, including two within HM Treasury.You will lead work on determining how local councils should be funded in the years ahead and will be at the heart of the critical work advising Treasury ministers on some of the biggest issues of the day.The role provides exposure to Treasury ministers and senior colleagues across the department, who take a strong interest in the area. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the government's agenda, owning key relationships with colleagues in MHCLG and across the Treasury.Your key responsibilities will include: Developing our approach to c.68bn of revenue funding for local government through the second, multi-year stage of the Spending Review. This will involve working closely with MHCLG and other HMT teams to understand the pressures on a wide range of local services. Implementing the Governments commitment to reforming the local government funding system, working with MHCLG on the policy detail and approach to implementation through the annual Local Government Finance Settlement process. Advising Ministers and senior officials on the role of business rates in funding local government, working closely with tax teams. Leading our oversight of the implementation of the Spending Review settlement and in-year spending processes. The Local Government DEL budget currently equates to around 12bn and is the main source of government grant funding for local councils. This includes managing the annual Estimates process through which Parliament authorises government expenditure.The responsibilities across the team may change in response to new ministerial priorities. We encourage all members of the team to develop relationships with people across the local government sector to enable us to reflect a range of perspectives and evidence in our policymaking.Candidate Drop-In Session Microsoft Teams The hiring manager will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and ask any questions you may have. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time.  Friday 1st November 2024 @ 12:00 Teams meetingIf you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Eleanor Brown ([email protected]).