DCN Conference full line-up revealed

There are now less than six weeks remaining until the District Councils’ Network Annual Conference. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our guests to Sopwell House near St Albans to what we are sure will be a great event.

The two-day event, taking place on 23-24 February, includes sessions on health and wellbeing, service transformation, helping residents in troubled times, driving growth, net zero and leadership, among other issues. You can see the near-final programme and book tickets - if you are a councillor or officer - by clicking oby clicking here .

Two ministerial keynote speeches and an appearance by Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, are among the highlights of the event. The latest addition to our speaker programme is Victoria Prentis MP, the Attorney General for England and Wales. As previously announced, we will also be joined by Lee Rowley MP, the Minister for Local Government.

Our first full session will see BritainThinks, the leading research firm, present findings of an exclusive DCN survey revealing residents’ attitudes towards district councils and local services. Ben Shimshon, co-founder of BritainThinks, will speak alongside Councillor James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association, and Professor Colin Copus of De Montfort University.

Confirmed speakers in a session on improving the wellbeing of our communities are Jim McManus, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health President; Sarah Walter, Director of the ICS Network; and Ian Fytche, Chief Executive of North Kesteven District Council.

A panel discussion on driving growth through place-based partnerships will feature Jackie Sadek, Director, Urban Strategy; Adam Hawksbee, Director of the Onward thinktank; Stephen Teagle, Chief Executive of Vistry Partnerships; and Michelle Sacks, Deputy Chief Executive of South East Lincolnshire Growth Partnership.

And speakers in a panel on delivering net zero and green growth include Polly Billington, Chief Executive of UK100; Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council; and Adele Gritten, Chief Executive Officer, of Local Partnerships.

Added to a session on leading through adversity is Major General Martin Smith, former Commandant General of the Royal Marines. He joins previously announced speakers include Barry Quirk, ex-Chief Executive of

Kensington & Chelsea Council, and Jackie Weaver, the Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils. This session will be chaired by Councillor Peter Fleming, leader of Sevenoaks District Council.

There will be a mix of plenary sessions, discussing some of the biggest challenges we face, and breakout slots, offering inspiration about district sector innovation. And, of course, there will be ample opportunity to socialise and network with familiar faces and new friends.

Speaker line-ups, session subjects and timings are, of course, subject to change.

DCN’s strategic partners for the event are: CCLA, eamli, IESE, Local Partnerships, Norse Group and Vistry Group.