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President's Update

This blog page features updates from ADEPT's President, Ann Carruthers.

Latest post

President update 6th January - latest news from ADEPT

Hello everyone, Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I'm really optimistic about the potential ahead of us. This new year brings important work and exciting opportunities for ADEPT and our members. Despite the challenges, our collaborative spirit and commitment to creating better places remains stronger than ever.

I recently attended the inaugural MHCLG Local Government Funding Reform Strategic Group meeting to ensure ADEPT’s voice is heard. The discussions highlighted the delicate balance required in funding distribution, weighing 'need' against incentives and addressing the unique challenges faced by rural and urban areas. 

I also had a fascinating conversation with the National Infrastructure Commission, who are researching the characteristics of effective infrastructure project pipelines, and with Dan Corry who is leading the Defra review on whether the inherited regulatory landscape is fit for purpose and supporting economic growth while protecting the environment.

I was delighted to attend the annual CIHT luncheon, where I had the pleasure of sitting next to CIHT president, Glen Lyons, and my good friend Alison Irvine, CEO of Transport Scotland.

In December, we were pleased to see the government take a decisive step forward on devolution with the release of the English Devolution White Paper. This clear intent to deliver reorganisation of local governance presents a strategic opportunity to address long standing issues facing local government.

As we head into 2025, there’s plenty to look forward to, and I’m excited to share some of the opportunities ahead for ADEPT and our members. For instance, the closing date for our Leadership Development Programme is quickly approaching, so don’t miss your chance to apply or encourage your team to do so before the deadline of 17th January. 

Speaking of opportunities, don’t forget that the ADEPT Live Labs 2 Expo booking website is open, so please apply for your place.

Later this month, we’ll also be launching our innovative Gen Z recruitment campaign, a creative response to workforce challenges in local authorities. Watch this space!

Finally, we are now accepting submissions to the annual ADEPT President's Awards. These awards offer a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible work being done by our members and partners. I’d like to encourage you to take a moment to think about your work. What might feel like ‘business as usual’ to you could, in fact, represent a pioneering approach or an exceptional achievement when seen through someone else’s eyes. This is your chance to celebrate the incredible efforts transforming communities across the country – find out more.

Here's to another year of impactful, meaningful work for our communities and places. 

For more updates on ADEPT's latest news, publications, and the work of our boards and groups, visit our website: www.adeptnet.org.uk

More posts

  • President update: 29th May

    Hello everyone. 

    I’m Nigel Riglar and I’m ADEPT’s President for the coming 12 months. Firstly, I want to thank Darryl for a fantastic year, which has seen ADEPT continue to grow and expand its work supporting members, increasing influence as well as working on the challenges of climate change, Brexit planning and now Covid-19.

    Read more >

  • President update: 20th May

    With ADEPT’s Spring Conference this week, this is my last update as President. It’s been a fantastic year, even with small matters such as a prorogued government, general election, widespread winter floods then a global pandemic taking over my final few months. For Nigel, COVID-19 will shape his entire Presidency and I offer him my full support as he takes on what will be a very challenging year ahead for ADEPT members.

    Read more >

  • President's update: 11th May

    The Friday Bank Holiday this month to mark the 75th anniversary of VE has been a time both for celebration and reflection. That it has fallen during a period of huge uncertainty and necessary restriction in our lives is a poignant reminder of how life can change so quickly. I’ve been reflecting on the sacrifices that were made then and the heart-wrenching dedication, commitment and bravery of our frontline NHS and careworkers now. 

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  • President's update: 1st May

    The Prime Minister gave his first press briefing since coming back to work this week. With much speculation focused on what the plan for lifting lockdown might look like, many have been expecting to hear that at least some restrictions will be lifted soon. Competing views within the Cabinet have been labelled as hawks and doves, and there has been much anticipation about which way the Prime Minister will lean. 

    Read more >

  • President's update: 24th April

    Much media attention has been turning towards what coming out of lockdown will look like. Questions are being asked of the Government to lay out its strategy as Nicola Sturgeon has set out for Scotland. Similarly, local authorities have been considering what easing of lockdown restrictions might look like and what kind of impact this will have on our services. We’ve started to ask questions about the renewal of places and our local economies and how as place directors, we can provide leadership and thinking on how our places can work differently.

    Read more >

  • President's update: 16th April

    I hope you all managed to get some respite over the Easter weekend. It’s been a strange one this year. It is no surprise to anyone that the decision from government this week is to maintain the lockdown. Reports vary as to when we will see the peak, but there is no doubt that the public response to the Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives campaign has been far better than anticipated and we seem to be flattening the curve. This is undoubtedly positive news, but we still have a while to go.

    Read more >

  • President's update: 8th April

    As we move into the 3rd week of lockdown across England, I have to say how proud I am of how ADEPT members and local authorities are responding to this exceptional time of crisis. Our members continue to provide the essential universal services on which we all depend, while tracking impacts and planning for the inevitable changes to provision as Covid-19 continues to take hold.

    Read more >

  • President's update: 31st March

    The word unprecedented has been used time and time again in recent weeks, but there really is no other way of describing the pace and scale of the challenge to the country and the world caused by Covid-19.

    Read more >

  • President's Blog: February 2020 - What next for local authorities after Brexit?

    I write this as the UK formally starts our exit from the EU. No matter your view on this moment in history, undoubtedly there will be significant consequences and opportunities for local authorities and our wider sector to grow our places. 

    As the new government develops the details of its policy agenda, there are two areas where ADEPT will need to make sure its voice is heard – future funding and devolution.

    Read more >

  • Can we plant our way out of the climate emergency? Guest blog by 1st Vice President Nigel Riglar

    I’m having an afternoon trying to work out if we can plant our way to carbon neutrality by 2030. It’s a question Place Directors are asking themselves. I’ve been bouncing ideas around with Tom MacMillan from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU). It’s not straightforward. Let us explain.

    If you look out of your window you can probably see a patch of grass. If you can’t then imagine a football pitch.

    Read more >

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