For the first time in three years, we will be hosting the LGA’s annual conference in person – in Harrogate, from 28-30 June.
While the LGA has continued to run an exciting, comprehensive and phenomenally well attended series of online webinars and events throughout the pandemic, I’m sure that you, like me, can’t wait for us to finally meet again in the real world.
As ever, we’ll be discussing the latest issues affecting local government, and will have top speakers from central and local government, the wider public sector and key stakeholders.
What I am also looking forward to is hearing from you about the incredible work you have been doing over the past two years of the pandemic.
We know councils have done, and continue to do, remarkable work to address COVID-19 and its many impacts on our communities, responding to new problems and coming up with creative solutions, including to recovery and renewal.
We want you to share these innovations – and your ideas for how we move forward and help our residents build back from what has been an unprecedented period of upheaval – at the annual conference’s Innovation Zone. This is our vibrant, interactive and creative space, where we showcase the innovations and approaches of local councils and their partners.
Highlights of previous Innovation Zones have ranged from Pepper the humanoid robot helping people with dementia and autism, to the use of behavioural insights and ‘nudge’ theory to reduce accidental house fires.
The theme for this year’s zone is ‘Resilience and renewal’.
We are particularly keen to showcase presentations spanning the key areas of empowering communities, economic recovery and renewal, boosting living standards, place leadership, responses to climate change, and equalities, diversity and inclusion.
To find out more and to apply, by 4 March, please visit our Innovation Zone webpage. I look forward to seeing you all in Harrogate!