APSE Policy Symposium: Finance, Local Government Reform, Devolution and Growth

This FREE event and Full Association meeting is only available to APSE member councils.

Book your place here

Agenda: 

Symposium Session 1: Finance and Local Government Reform - Chair, Cllr Archie Dryburgh, MBE, APSE National Chair

The Local Government Finance Settlement across the UK, the areas of pressure and what the white paper proposals will mean for the UK local government sector, staff transfers, service delivery and councillor numbers.
Speaker: Mo Baines, APSE Chief Executive

The lessons from local government reorganisation; how to set a political vision and the role of senior councillors and chief officers in implementing change.
Speaker: Cllr Lisa Brown, Deputy Leader, and Executive Member for Governance and Thriving Communities, Cumberland Council

The issues of optimal efficiency in frontline service delivery; bigger is not always better when it comes to neighbourhood level services. So how does the sector manage expectations of savings through reform? How can service delivery models meet expectations of efficiency?
Speaker: Glynn Humphries, APSE Associate and frontline service delivery specialist

Coffee and refreshments break

Symposium Session 2: Devolution and Growth - Chair, Cllr Lynne Short, Dundee City Council and APSE Scotland Chair

Growth and the regions; will it work? And are ‘functional economic areas’ the same as functional areas for service delivery and local council structures?
Speakers: Professor Mark Gregory and Professor Steven Griggs, University of Staffordshire

Developing a proposal for a new unitary; what are the strategic, economic, and political considerations for local democracy? Issues of democracy; will proposals lead to fewer councillors and more powerful mayors? Where does this leave local democratic accountability?
Speakers: Cllr Matthew Brown, Council Leader and Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive, Preston City Council

Lessons from reorganisation and devolution in Scotland
Speaker: John Wood, Director of Membership and Resources, COSLA

The symposium panels will allow ample opportunity for delegates to take part in audience and panel Q&A sessions with discussions continuing over a networking lunch. Lunch will be provided at the rise of the Full Association meeting which will take place after the symposium discussion. The Full Association meeting agenda is below.

12:45 Full Association Business

APSE Chief Executive, Mo Baines will present the following agenda items for the meetings approval:

1. Minutes of the Full Association held on the Friday 19 January 2024
2. APSE Report – An update presentation on the work of APSE including developments on the trading company agreed by the AGM in September 2024
3. Budget 2025/26 – An examination of APSE’s budget 2025/26 (To Follow)
4. The APSE Business Plan 2023-2026 and adjustments to consider the Trading Company development. An update presentation for member councils.

13:00 Networking Lunch

Lunch will be provided at the rise of the meeting. Delegates are encouraged to stay for lunch and make the most of this networking opportunity with colleagues from across the UK. This event is FREE to APSE member councils. As this meeting carries formal APSE Business for its members it is not open to non-member councils.