LG Group Annual Conference and Exhibition: Localism Works conference

Birmingham ICC, 28 – 30 June 2011

The Government's flagship Localism Bill has proposed new leadership roles for local government and a fundamental rethink of the way it works. The Bill offers a vision of a state in which communities, charities and businesses have increased powers to shape the way places develop and public services are delivered. The Big Society will be a phrase crucial to all discussions about the future of public services. The 'Localism Works' conference asked how the role of local government should be defined in this brave new world.

Dialogue and Engagement Specialist for Sciencewise, Daniel Start, attended this year’s LG Group Conference and Exhibition, to review two talks of particular relevance to Sciencewise’s on going LCCC project:

1. Environment Agency Natural England: Working locally for people and the environment
2. Cutting Carbon Locally: The local government offer on energy and climate

(The event attracted an audience of 1,500 delegates at the Birmingham ICC, and some of the biggest names in local government, to stimulate debate on how the Localism Bill will be put into action. Speakers at the conference included David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband and Eric Pickles.)