From your ADEPT President
Well, the last time I wrote, the UK was still due to leave the EU on 29 th March. But as we all know, a month is a very very long time in British politics and many things remain uncertain including the new departure date. Regardless, the day job still needs doing – and it’s been a busy month for ADEPT.
The Live Labs programme is really beginning to pick up pace. We held bilateral meetings with all 8 projects in early March, and are aiming for an official launch date of 1 st May. We have established a programme management team, led by Giles Perkins from WSP and populated with colleagues from our corporate partners Kier, O2 and Ringway. I met with the Transport Minister Jesse Norman who confirmed that DfT will meet the project management costs, which is fantastic news.
The Leadership Team met last week. We had MHCLG bring us up to speed on Brexit planning; reviewed the work of the Engineering Board; and discussed the proposed new business model for the Association. You will hear more about this at the Spring Conference, and I hope you all saw the ‘invitation to attend’ email last week. Our finances are looking healthy too which reflects continual growth in membership, generous sponsorship and good governance structures.
We then hosted our first corporate partner seminar, focusing on climate change. We had some very interesting speakers including Defra, the EA, Greenpeace and UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, which generated a great discussion – I particularly liked the phrase ‘evidence-based hope’! We will be publishing a policy position on climate change later this year, along with one on digital connectivity.
Don’t forget to book your ticket for the Annual Awards Dinner on 27 th June!
Best wishes
Neil
Neil Gibson
ADEPT President 2018/19
negibson@buckscc.gov.uk
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March was a less busy month than February for ADEPT media coverage but we still had some interesting input, including:
We had 7 news mentions in total during March – to see the full list click here.
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A reminder that bookings are now open for ADEPT's Spring Conference 2019 at One Drummond Gate, London, on Thursday 27 June.
The meeting offers an opportunity for ADEPT members to think strategically and set priorities, with some external speakers to stimulate debate. The Annual General Meeting will take place at the end of the day, with the new President being sworn in.
The day ends with the Annual Dinner and presentation of President’s Awards, which once again will be held in the magnificent Gladstone Library at One Whitehall Place. The Annual Awards will be open for entries soon – see below for this year's categories.
To book for the conference and annual dinner, please click here. |
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The ADEPT Annual Awards are always a highlight of our calendar and the 2019 Awards are now open for entries. This year's categories are:
- Delivering clean growth
- Deploying digital innovation and technology
- Improving the environment, promoting health
The 2018 Awards attracted an impressive 23 entries and this year we're hoping for even more! To read more about last year's entries and winners, click here. For more information on the awards categories and how to enter click here. |
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Members are reminded that annual renewal fees are now due. Renewal invitations were sent out in February, along with invoices. If you have not already paid please can you do as soon as possible and forward remittance advice to finance@adeptnet.org.uk |
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The first module of our new Leadership Development Programme took place in March and we've had great feedback. Nicola McCoy-Brown of Nottinghamshire County Council shares her thoughts...
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HELPING LEAD ME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
As an aspiring Director of Place, I am grateful and relishing the opportunity of spending quality time focussing on my own advancement as part of the inaugural ADEPT Leadership Development Programme.
My learning began in February with an introduction session hosted by Luton Borough Council’s interim Chief Executive Laura Church. My cohort of 14 like-minded and ambitious peers received insights about the role every individual plays in driving change and helped shape the remainder of the Programme. Read more.
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View from Westminster
The House of Commons has voted against the EU Withdrawal Agreement. The Prime Minister hinted at the despatch box that a General Election may be forthcoming. Will it, who knows…
Of course, we have arrived where we have through rather a somewhat meandering route. Truth be told, the prediction I foolishly made in the last column spontaneously combusted beneath the baritones of the Attorney General, who delivered a damming legal opinion that torpedoed the second meaningful vote. Parliament however is a theatre of politics as opposed to legal fact and its judgements change rapidly, circumstances change regularly. Read more
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As part of the membership offer to corporate partners, we are introducing bi-annual seminars focusing on big strategic cross-cutting issues. We hosted the first of these events on 28 March, with the theme of climate change.
Climate change is one of the proposed new strategic priorities for the Association. Councils need to understand climate risks and how climate change is impacting in their areas, and take firm action to address these. Adapting to climate change is critical for councils to ensure continuity of business, delivery of services, management of estates, emergency preparedness and quick and efficient recovery following an extreme weather event. However, effective adaptation requires collaboration between councils, central Government, and its relevant delivery bodies, businesses, Local Enterprise Partnerships, relevant professional associations including those representing the built environment and health sectors, and the voluntary sector.
Chaired by Nigel Riglar (2nd Vice President), we heard from Defra, the Environment Agency, Greenpeace and the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change. The subsequent discussions will help inform the developing policy position on climate change, which will be published at the Spring Conference on 27 June.
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ADEPT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Network Rail and the Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management (IPROW). The aim is to improve working practices between Network Rail and Local Highway Authorities (LHAs) where Public Rights of Way (PRoW) use level crossings on the rail network in England and Wales. The document sets out high level principles aimed at encouraging clearer communication and building collaborative relationships between Network Rail and LHAs. This will encourage the most effective dialogue when changes are proposed to a level crossing which affects a PRoW.
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On 31st March ADEPT launched its Potholes Repair Guide, which was commissioned by the DfT following the intense winter of 2017/18. ADEPT believes local authorities should adopt a 'prevention is better than cure' principle, however for many local authorities the condition of the road network is beyond the point where preventative maintenance techniques alone will suffice with the current level of funding available.
Going forward, a risked-based approach through the Well-Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice by the UK Roads Liaison Group should be implemented by each authority for highways maintenance and should be tailored to the needs, demands and risks facing that individual local authority.
To download the complete guide, please click here.
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An ambitious project to build Plymouth’s creative industries and nurture creative people power for Mayflower400 and beyond has been awarded a massive £3.5 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
An additional £750,000 has been awarded to Mayflower400 and £2.75 million for exciting new creative sector initiatives that could see over 4,000 people offered training, business support and professional development opportunities as part of the iMayflower project. It aims to support the makers, the doers, artists, the digital pioneers and the wider Plymouth population by giving them the know-how to make things happen.
Plymouth City Council, Destination Plymouth, Mayflower 400, Plymouth College of Art, Real Ideas Organisation and the University of Plymouth have teamed up to address the growing demand for the city’s creative sector to realise its potential, offering new opportunities, creative spaces and skills.
For more of this story, click here.
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Midlands Engine are looking for an Interim Programme Director.
The post-holder will play a critical role in driving and managing the delivery of the Midlands Engine partnership’s programme of work – leading the secretariat team and effectively managing resources to ensure the greatest impact from current funding and approaches, to secure further funding and investment and to influence policies and programmes.
Further details can be found on the ADEPT website jobs page, along with other current vacancies. ADEPT members may advertise jobs on the website free of charge; to have a vacancy listed please email secretariat@adeptnet.org.uk
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Brexit update
Buckinghamshire County Council kindly share with us their monthly round-up of news and publications on Brexit. Read the latest round-up here.
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The following Boards/Working Groups met in March:
- Waste Group (update here)
- Digital Connectivity Working Group (update here)
We hope to include the report from the recent meeting of the Transport Board in our next newsletter.
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External events
Below are details of an external event supported by ADEPT. To suggest events for inclusion in future newsletters please email secretariat@adeptnet.org.uk
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***ADEPT PARTNERED EVENT***
TRAFFEX 2019
NEC, Birmingham, 2-4 April
If you’re attending Traffex this year then you can hear Neil Gibson, ADEPT President, speaking in the Traffex Theatre, on Tuesday 2nd April.
Neil will be talking about ‘Delivering innovation and technology on the local network’ at 10:15 following on from Jim O’Sullivan of Highways England.
More information here – Traffex is free to attend but you do need to register.
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