Find out about emerging practice and innovative ideas
The Innovation Zone is the ‘ideas hub’ of the LGA’s annual conference, featuring the best and brightest new ideas in local government.
As Chair of the Innovation Zone Member Working Group, I’m absolutely delighted to be participating in this year’s programme, and to share this vibrant and creative space with you at conference, which takes place from 4-6 July in Bournemouth.
This year’s Innovation Zone will feature an engaging programme of sessions set around the theme of ‘Challenge and change’. It will recognise the significant shared obstacles councils face today, while shining a light on some of the emerging notable practice and innovative ideas being taken forward to respond and drive improvement in the sector.
Our diverse programme features more than 50 engaging talks from councils and partners from across the sector, including international speakers.
Delegates will have the opportunity to learn about new and innovative approaches to topics such as: adults’ and children’s services; digital and cyber technologies; community wellbeing and health; economic growth; workforce; and equality, diversity and inclusion. There will be presentations that bring projects and approaches across these areas to life.
These sessions form the main part of the Innovation Zone programme, with up to three presentations running at any one time, so there is always something exciting on to inspire delegates.
All sessions will be creative and interactive, with opportunities for delegates to ask questions and share learning about improving local government services and communities across all regions.
This year, there is the return of ‘Spotlight on’ sessions, which will highlight particularly innovative practice from across the sector and are not to be missed!
The series highlights a play by Stan’s Café Theatre Company, which turns Birmingham City Council’s budget-setting process into an entertaining performance involving 7,000 golden dominoes and a life-sized bear named Bordesley.
With thanks to Newton, our Innovation Zone sponsor, the ‘Spotlight on’ series will also feature a special presentation by James Kerr, author of the global bestseller ‘Legacy’, who will discuss how to bring inspirational leadership to your organisation.
Following the huge success of 2022’s climate change panel, we will be repeating this event with a series of new speakers. These include the Centre for Alternative Technology with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council; Local Partnerships with Cambridgeshire County Council; the South West Net Zero Hub with Cornwall Council; and Westminster City Council.
New to this year’s programme are the ‘Celebrating Success’ events. I will be chairing a celebration of the work of our peers, and other events in this segment include the Local Government Challenge awards ceremony, One Public Estate’s 10-year anniversary, and an opening session from Liverpool City Council celebrating Eurovision and the importance of culture.
Finally, besides its own excellent programme of events, Newton will be supplying free coffee throughout the conference, brewed by a team of professional baristas, to give delegates a chance to recharge!
Find out more about the Innovation Zone and book your conference place at www.local.gov.uk/conference – I can’t wait to see you in Bournemouth.
- You can access the Innovation Zone programme online at www.local.gov.uk/innovation-zone-2023 and on the free LGA conference app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play by searching for ‘LGA Events’. If you have any questions about the Innovation Zone, please email [email protected]