Last week, along with hundreds of Local Authority senior Members and Officers, our Chief Executive Kerry Booth and Assistant Chief Executive Nadine Trout journeyed to Harrogate for the Local Government Association Conference in the home of North Yorkshire Council.

Amongst the scores of sessions from the plenary in the giant auditorium, to innovation zones with silent disco headphones and fringe debates and roundtables, there was a feeling of optimism for the future, with local authorities positioning themselves as poised to take advantage of the opportunities that the new Government may bring.

There was also a note of caution as they highlighted the financial challenges that they face after years of austerity. Local Government have spent the last few years sharing services, reducing services and consolidating assets resulting in organisations that are often now limited in future service delivery options without additional funding.

Countless local authorities shared case studies and projects that they had developed and run, with plenty of best practice and lessons for other organisations to pick up on and it was great to see so many of our rural local authorities featured.  We enjoyed hearing from Lewes Council on Affordable Housing, Cornwall Council on Transport, North Kesteven on preventative health, North Devon on temporary accommodation and East Lindsey on an ageing population to name a few.

Devolution was the word on everyone’s lips throughout the 3 days, being emphasised by the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon as he stated that there was no half measures in the devolution journey, and that for it to be successful, every area needed to be included.

Delegates heard from several Ministers across the plenary sessions and of course none would commit to details on the Spending Review so we await announcements later this week!

Kerry was honoured to share her thoughts on inclusive growth in a plenary session, sharing the stage with the Minister for Local Growth Alex Norris MP and Bev Craig, the Leader of Manchester City Council.  You can read more about this session at this link.

Nadine and Kerry talked with many of our local authority Councils and explored opportunities for future working with a range of the exhibitors at the event.  A busy three days but time well spent.

Roll on Liverpool next year, although we would love to see some more rural focussed discussion on the big stage next time!