Overview

In recent years, local authorities have battled with budget cuts and rising inflation. Over the last decade, there has been a real term fall of 26% in the spending power of councils, according to the National Audit Office. The situation has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis which has increased demand for services. The unprecedented scale of the challenge threatens to negatively impact local communities. To remedy the situation, councils are seeking innovative, income-generating solutions to meet local needs and stabilise their financial position over the long term.

  • Councils in England face a funding gap of almost £3 billion over the next two years just to keep services standing still (Local Government Association, 2023)
  • In 2019-20, local authorities made £64.4 billion of revenue expenditure to support services, and £18.7 billion of capital expenditure (National Audit Office, 2021)
  • Local authorities received 23% of their funding from government grants, 50% from council tax, and 27% from retained business rates in 2019-2020 (Institute for Government, 2020)

Join us at The Local Government Commercialisation Conference 2024 to learn about recent trends and changes in local government finance. Listen to the latest guidance on improving commercial thinking across your organisation from leading experts. Engage with a series of best practice case studies showcasing innovative ways to generate income ethically and sustainably. Topics covered will include creating an impactful commercialisation strategy, delivering social value through commercial activity, and working collaboratively with the private sector to deliver successful ventures. Gain the opportunity to network with a range of senior colleagues from across the local government sector.

Why Attend:

✓ High-level keynotes from leading experts on policies and support measures to improve local government commercialisation
✓ Case studies showcasing best practice income generation strategies and efficient use of resources
✓ Networking opportunities with colleagues from across a range of local councils
✓ 4 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR
CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

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Agenda

  • Online Registration

  • Chair’s Opening Remarks

    Jonathan Werran, Chief Executive, Localis (CONFIRMED)

  • Keynote: National Audit Office Update: Learning from and Improving Commercial Activity in Local Government

    • Addressing recent trends and changes in local authorities’ financial circumstances
    • Sharing strategies and alternative funding sources to mitigate the effects of reduced revenue funding
    • Frameworks for evaluating the efficiency of current service spending practices to optimise resources
    • Implementing measures to enhance financial sustainability and manage risk in response to changing circumstances

    Abdool Kara, Executive Leader – Local Services, National Audit Office (CONFIRMED)

  • Keynote: Delivering Social Value through Council-Led Commercialisation – Opportunities and Challenges

    • Understanding the commercial landscape for local authorities
    • What councils are looking for as social value
    • What are the competing priorities and how to balance them
    • How to understand the local priorities and address them through social value

    Cllr Abi Brown, Chairman – Improvement and Innovation Board, Local Government Association (CONFIRMED)

  • Case Study: Working in Partnership with the Private Sector to Enable Successful Commercial Ventures

    • Establishing effective public-private partnerships: insights from the West Hendon Playing Fields Masterplan
    • Best practice guidance on pooling resources and expertise with the private sector to ensure robust and well-coordinated partnerships
    • Sharing the merits and drawbacks of different partnership structures to help choose an appropriate pathway
    • Common obstacles encountered when forming public-private partnerships and strategies to overcome these
    • Practical steps for managing the partnership cycle to ensure projects are delivered to their full potential

    Cassie Bridger, Assistant Director Greenspaces and Leisure, Barnet Council (invited)

  • Questions and Answers 

  • Comfort Break

  • Breakout Networking: Overcoming Obstacles to Deliver Profitable and High-Impact Commercial Ventures

    This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss budgeting challenges you face and learn more about innovative solutions peers have trialled to diversify funding sources. Share your experiences and take away new ideas to continue delivering high-quality local council services.

  • Case Study: Establishing a Commercial Strategy to Generate Additional Funds

    • Methods for identifying the scale of a potential funding gap to inform a commercial strategy
    • Advice on embedding commercial thinking across the organisation and using it to guide decision-making
    • Frameworks for ensuring commercial decisions are made based on a robust assessment of the business case
    • Monitoring and evaluating the success of the commercial strategy to ensure it is improving the council’s financial position

    Simon Bland, Head of Economic Prosperity, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (invited)

  • Case Study: Effectively Governing Commercial Schemes to Achieve Long-Term Financial Self-Sufficiency

    • Recommendations for overseeing an investment policy that makes up funding shortfalls and avoids cutting services
    • Advice on managing the existing commercial portfolio and risk-averse strategies to grow it
    • Implementing governing structures with clear lines of responsibility to ensure accountability over commercial activity
    • Forums for collecting feedback on commercial projects and taking suggestions on board to minimise failure
    • Approaches for future-proofing financial strategies and ensuring long-term financial sustainability

    Cllr John Boughtflower, Leader of the Council and Chair of Corporate Policy & Resources Committee, Spelthorne Borough Council (invited)

  • Case Study: Creating Environmentally Sustainable Commercialisation Projects

    • Insights into pioneering a commercial approach to public sector clean energy investment
    • Best practice guidance on integrating environmental sustainability into income-generation ventures
    • Identifying how to de-risk large-scale green investments to ensure long-term viability and a return on initial investments
    • Tips for reinvesting the revenue created back into services and projects that serve to benefit the community

    Danny Mather, Head of Corporate Finance, Warrington Borough Council (CONFIRMED)

  • Questions and Answers

  • Chair’s Summary and Close

    *Programme subject to change

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Who Should Attend

Who Should Attend?

This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors. Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be people who work in or with local authorities.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

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Sponsorship

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

  • 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
  • 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
  • Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
  • Post show inclusion on presentation email
  • Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
  • A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
  • 5 Delegate Conference Passes
  • 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

  • 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
  • Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
  • A4 Insert or Chair Drop
  • 1 Speaker Pass
  • 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

  • 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
  • Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
  • Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
  • 2 Delegate Conference Passes
  • 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

  • 1 Delegate Conference Pass
  • A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

Pricing
  • Public and Voluntary Sector: £260.00+VAT
  • Private Sector: £425.00+VAT