During this 2 day mini-conference, we took a detailed look at the role of local authorities and public bodies in shaping the post-pandemic recovery.
We ran six bitesize sessions over two days, focussing on post-pandemic recovery and resilience in local government and local communities and the post 2020 landscape with themes spanning town centre regeneration, the role of good governance and how local authorities can access a raft of alternative funding.
There were also sessions featuring council leaders and policy experts on a range of themes with a final session on the role of local government as a facilitator to design towns and cities for the future of connectivity and work.
Watch here or alternatively, scroll down to see a summary of each session and a link at the bottom of the article for the playlist.
Session 1: the future of place and town centre regeneration
In this session we looked at the positive trend of Local Government playing a vital role in post-pandemic recovery and continuing with place shaping.
- Chris Plumley, Partner
- Paul McDermott, Partner
- Alan Evans, Director or Regeneration and place, Wirral Borough Council
- Helen Martin, Director of Regeneration and Enterprise, Dudley Council
- Simon Davies – Urban Delivery
Session 2: the role of good governance and decision-making in local government to accelerate post-pandemic recovery
Scott Dorling, in conversation with Ed Hammond, Centre for Governance and Scrutiny
Session 3: how can local authorities attract and choose the right funding and what are the attributes of alternative funding models?
With a veritable smorgasbord of new alternative to PWLB post-Brexit funding options such as bond issues, private placements, bank debt and the potential use of interest rate swaps, REITS and Islamic finance, how can local authorities fund infrastructure and other regeneration projects?
- Neil Waller, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
- Sarah Gooden, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
- Lara Marsden, Solicitor
Session 4: the end of state aid: public subsidy control and UK replacements of EU funding programmes
As progress is slowly being made on a UK/EU trade deal, what might a domestic public subsidy (state aid) framework for local government look like?
- Paul McDermott, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
- Victoria Thornton, Senior Associate, Trowers & Hamlins
- Julian Jarrett, Solicitor, Trowers & Hamlins
Session 5: the future of procurement
With the procurement landscape looking to change considerably post Brexit, the team look at what procurement might look like in the future and evaluate recent developments in value-led procurements, social value and remedies.
- Rebecca Rees, Partner
- Lucy Doran, Partner
- Michael Rhode, Partner
Session 6: Designing living places for the future of connectivity and work
Local government's reliance on digital has become vital during the pandemic and whilst the speed of innovation may abate, it is inevitable that technology, digital transformation and local connectivity will be key in delivering both services and the aspirations of citizens. The question is how will it transform local government both as service provider and facilitator?
- Amardeep Gill, Partner
- Scott Walters, Consultant, Project Advisory Group
- Louis Sebastian, Senior Associate
Watch all the sessions here.
