Doing things differently: top thinkers and doers to share experience at Socitm National Conference, 22 April in Birmingham

The speaker line-up for the Socitm National Conference (22 April, Birmingham) features some radical thinkers and do-ers to help delegates focus on the painful and fundamental choices that lie ahead for local public services.

Keynote speaker Michael Frater CBE has held interim and permanent chief executive roles at several councils (Redbridge; Telford & Wrekin; Walsall; Nottingham City and most recently, Surrey County Council). As such he has a wide perspective on possibilities for the re-invention of local public services against a background of vastly reduced public expenditure and significant cuts in staffing.

Colin Talbot is Professor of Public Policy and Management at the Manchester Business School and a specialist advisor to the Treasury Select Committee. Author of the Whitehall Watch blog Professor Talbot provides incisive and entertaining analysis of goings on in the 'Whitehall Village' as well as the wider world of public service management. In his session, Professor Talbot is likely to challenge some of the ideas starting to emerge around the future of local public services.

David Mulchaney is Deputy County Executive of Fairfax County, Virginia, USA. The county has tackled a significant revenue gap and taken the public with them by innovating to reduce costs while improving and protecting key local services.

Lyn Carpenter is Head of Residents' services at the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and chair of the council's Customer Transformation Board. The council is developing a customer focussed approach across the organisation that means significant change for customers and service delivery in Hammersmith & Fulham.
In the afternoon a series of facilitated workshops will enable delegates to exchange experiences, opinions, ideas, and solutions with fellow managers from local government and other public services. Delegates can choose two from:

• The Council of the Future: scenarios for tomorrow's council
• Sleeping with the enemy: the third sector as a delivery agent
• Clouds on the horizon - challenges for Delivery Managers
• Better customer experience at lower cost: channel management and service delivery

Early bird booking is currently available. Socitm members can book for £180 (second delegate £150) or non-members at £210 (second delegate £180). Details and booking at http://www.socitm.net/events/event/87/

Further information:

Vicky Sargent, Socitm Press Office
vicky.sargent@socitm.net
Tel: 07726 601139