Local Leaders Quarterly: leading council figures meet in Birmingham to discuss community engagement - gallery

This year's Local Leaders Quarterly event was held in Birmingham town hall. The subject of discussion was how to engage with communities. Photograph: Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

The evening began with networking drinks for those attending the event. Photograph: Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

Hannah Fearn (pictured centre), the Guardian Local Leaders Network's contributing editor was chair of the event. She began by introducing the panel who spoke on community engagement. Photograph: Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

The panel of speakers was made up of (From L-R) Mark Barrow, strategic director of development and culture at Birmingham city council; Rob Holt, managing director of community devices at Carillion, and David Trethewey, divisional director of strategy and performance at Bath and North East Somerset council. Photograph: Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

Mark Barrow, strategic director of development and culture at Birmingham city council, was the first speaker of the event. He said that UK consumerism has created huge tensions around the efficiency of public services. Photograph: Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

The audience was invited to ask questions after panel members spoke. Photograph: Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

After the panel debate people broke away and discussed specific issues. Each table focused on a different subject, such as keeping investment local. Photograph: Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

The table discussions took place under Chatham House rules. Photograph: Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox