From 15-17 October, Liverpool will play host to the biggest event in the Solace calendar – the 2014 Solace Annual Summit: Leading Local Solutions. The event allows chief executives and senior managers to meet and discuss the big issues of the year in an intensive environment.
Building on the successful format of the previous year, the event will be structured around a handful of seminar options, which splits the group into areas of specialism. These groups are pulled together with key sessions from major political, academic, business and public sector panels. The summit creates a uniquely valuable forum in which local government professionals from across the UK can compare notes with leading players from the wider public and private sectors.
This year's Solace event will focus on supporting 'must have' leadership skills in the public sector. As well as workshops and plenary discussion sessions, there will be the opportunity for dedicated personal development for Solace member – including a session from Solace Enterprises on the benefits of coaching and mentoring, and how leaders are made.
The summit kicks off with a session asking, what makes a successful leader? We will be looking at what motivates us as individuals and leaders in our organisations? How do we inspire our teams to create a 'can do' culture? Delegates will hear from two outstanding individuals in their fields. One is a gold medal winning athlete and the other a hugely successful business leader.
The following morning will move straight into what many see as the biggest issue for councils at the moment: the promotion of economic growth. This session draws its name from the report launched in April titled 'Local Roots to Growth'. We expect an exciting and diverse line-up, including some of the contributors to the report.
Moving through the day, delegates will split into workshops on redesigning council services, the integration of health and social care, and building resilience with a focus on emergency planning and recovery.
The afternoon sessions will discuss establishing new business models for a commissioning council, digital leadership and whether inspection can drive improvement in children's services. The highlight of the event will be our keynote speakers, discussing their views on local government in 2015.
Following record breaking attendance last year, Summit 2014 is awaited with much anticipation. Solace events director Debbie Wood says: "I am delighted with how the summit is shaping up, and threatens to overtake the highs reached in 2013. We've again got a great mix for chief executives and senior managers to digest, from policy to personal development".
• To sign up see visit Summit 2014 event page or email events@solace.org.uk
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