Busy few days at the Labour Party Conference opened with a fringe meeting on commissioning on the Sunday night. CLG Minister Parmjit Dhanda MP opened our joint fringe with the LGIU followed by there Chief Executive Andy Sawford, myself and finally John Tizzard. We have a healthy debate and agree that we cannot allow the agenda on commissioning to recreate false barriers like client / contractor splits and shift towards local government becoming an enabler without also fulfilling its crucial role as a provider.
Started the day with a private meeting with the civil servant charged with sorting out the mess that is the trading and charging guidance for English local government. The meeting takes place at the Chief Executive of Bedford, Shaun Fields office and Steve Cirell from Eversheds is also present.
APSE's annual seminar took place this week at the Albert Halls in Nottingham and proved a huge success. The delegates, exhibitors and sponsors all gave APSE tremendous feedback and when the event concluded in the early hours of Friday morning the dance floor was still packed with some of the 800 guests who attended the service awards dinner.