Annual Conference (in person), Harrogate, 28-30 June

The Local Government Association, which represents more than 350 councils across England and Wales, is preparing to host its annual conference in-person after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Speakers will include Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and crossbench peer Baroness Lola Young.

There will be no shortage of things to discuss in many other sessions over three-packed days in Harrogate. The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on not only the health and wellbeing of the nation but many of our local services and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has seen councils, once again, stepping up to provide support for those fleeing the war. The Conference will hear from Oleksandr Senkevych – Mayor of Mykolaiv, Ukraine – and Lord Harrington – Minister for Refugees at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

This year’s Queen’s Speech also saw the Government set out the busiest legislative programme in more than 15 years, with a package of draft reforms comprising 38 bills. The conference will discuss how councils can help shape and deliver proposals relating to devolution, planning, council tax, education, energy, housing, health, crime and justice and post-Brexit regulation and more so that local communities across the UK are empowered to tackle inequalities.

All of this comes amid the backdrop of the national and local response to the cost-of-living pressures which are presenting an urgent challenge to our communities.

Other speakers will include:

• Kriss Akabusi MBE – Olympian, presenter and owner of the Akabusi Company
• Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Levelling Up at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
• Lord Adebowale – Chairman of NHS Confederation
• Sarah McClinton – President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
• Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner
• Andrew Grinnell – Co-director at the Poverty Truth Network
• Ben Page – Chief executive officer, IPSOS
• Nick Lowles – Chief executive of HOPE not Hate
• Sarah Newton – Chair of the Health and Safety Executive
• Gemma Tetlow – Chief economist at the Institute for Government

Please visit our Annual Conference website to view the full programme. To book your place, contact greg.burns@local.gov.uk for a media promotion code to obtain a complimentary pass.

All attendees will be sent an email with a personalised QR code, scanned at registration, to receive their conference badge.