Events and Summer School
Public Debate
21 June 2010
Summer School and Public Debate booking form
“Balancing the Books” Public Policy, Financial Crisis and Human Rights in a New Political Context
The Centre for Local Policy Studies are holding an important open public debate on the future of equality and diversity, post the general election. This is a must attend event for everyone concerned with the future of public sector service management and delivery to vulnerable communities in financially challenging times.
The new Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government has announced what are likely to be severe cutbacks in public sector spending and the need to make drastic savings at every level. Yet at the same time, the expectations placed on the very same public sectors to balance equality of service, consider human rights implications and be at the forefront of the community cohesion agenda has made ‘balancing the books’ a challenging subject.
How will the decisions that the new administration makes impact on those at the forefront of policy and developing and managing public services? Or indeed on different communities? How will issues of community empowerment and involvement be affected? And – how will issues of equality, human rights and diversity fare this new post election era of co-operation between differing political agenda’s given the divisions and challenges that were so apparent before the general election, and a still uncertain financial future for many?
The Centre for Local Policy Studies are inviting you to take part and engage in a much needed open debate and one of the first opportunities for an in-depth analysis of the impact of financial policies in a new political era.
An excellent line-up of confirmed speakers includes:
Barry Quirk – Chief Executive of Lewisham and author of the ‘Quirk Review’ on public sector finance
Rob Whiteman – the incoming head of the Improvement and Development Agency
Katie Ghoshe – Director, British Institute of Human Rights
Sir Bert Massie – founding member of Equality and Human Rights
Councillor Salma Yaqoob – Birmingham
Rob Berkeley – Chief Executive of the Runneymede Trust
The open public debate event will take place in Crewe on 21st June 2010 2pm – 5pm. Details of the full Summer School programme will be sent out with your booking request or enquiry. Please forward the attached information onto any colleagues that might be interested. Free and discounted places on the summer school are available – please ask for details
CLPS SUMMER SCHOOL 2010
‘Reflecting Back – Looking Forwards; what next for public policy and community empowerment in a new political era?
21 to 23 June 2010 - Wychwood Park Hotel, Crewe
Summer School and Public Debate booking form
Confirmed Speakers:
Barry Quirk, Chief Executive of Lewisham Council and author of the ‘Quirk Review’
Rob Whiteman, Incoming head of the Improvement and Development Agency
Katie Ghose, Director, British Institute of Human Rights
Sir Bert Massie, former Chair of the DRC and founding Commissioner of the EHRC Commissioner
Salma Yaqoob, Birmingham City Councillor and Parliamentary Candidate, Respect Party
Rob Berkely, Chief Executive, Runnymede Trust
Synopsis:
The times ahead for local government and public services in general appear fraught. Recent announcements by all major political parties tell of the likelihood of severe cutbacks in public sector spending and the need to make drastic savings at every level. Yet at the same time, the expectations placed on the very same public sectors to balance equality of service, consider human rights implications and be at the forefront of the community cohesion agenda has made “balancing the books” a challenging subject.
A general election is now “just around the corner” and brings with it a growing expectation of political and indeed administrative change. What will the likely impacts of such changes be – not just on those employed to work and manage public service delivery, but also on the very people that depend on them? How will issues of community empowerment and involvement be affected? And – how will issues of equality, human rights and diversity fare in such a political climate as that which is being promised in the Spring of 2010?
The CLPS Summer School will seek to address these and other issues through a programme bringing together key commentators to a public debate and full programme allowing participants to explore the key issues and solutions to managing change effectively in a “post election era”. For whilst the financial picture looks bleak the vast array of legislative, policy and public expectations means that a compromise must be struck that does not lose sight of the issues of equality and human rights and needs of the most vulnerable in our society
The Centre for Local Policy Studies Summer School 2010 aims to engage and equip participants to explore, understand and find practical solutions to managing equality and diversity at a local level, and critically to ensure that there is a clear understanding of communities, community needs, experiences and expectations.
The Summer School provides an excellent environment for learning and understanding and critically challenging our own common perceptions and views of how to approach public sector delivery in such challenging times.
Programme includes a mixture of interactive sessions and discussion groups, including:
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME (Subject to change)
21ST June 2pm – 5pm Keynote Presentations and Public Debate
“Balancing the Books “- Public Policy, Financial Crisis and Human Rights in a new political context
Speakers/Contributors:
Barry Quirk (confirmed)
Katie Ghose (confirmed)
Sir Bert Massie (Confirmed)
6pm Introduction to Summer School Programme for those that are attending the full three day programme – includes dinner
22nd June 9.am – 5pm
Programme includes a mixture of interactive sessions and discussion groups, including:
- community engagement and partnership with the third sector
- making sense of public sector duties in the context of setting objectives and
- targets through ‘involvement’ and ‘participation’
- challenges and opportunities – moving forward the equality agenda in a new political climate
- leadership and change
- Building Inclusive Communities
- Finding and Measuring Success
23rd June 9.am – 2pm
Interactive session and opportunity for questions and debate:
Theme: Social Inclusion and Community Cohesion – replacing multi-culturalism with community cohesion , irrational logic or true blue sky thinking?
Delegates can participate in all or part of the summer school.
The Public Debate on 21st June is a stand-alone session open to all
All meals, refreshments and accommodation are included in the booking prices:
For details please forward an email ‘REQUESTING SUMMER SCHOOL 2010 DETAILS’ and full information together with booking forms and prices will be sent you
Email – clpsorg [at] edgehill.ac.uk
RESERVE YOUR PLACES NOW! BOOKINGS AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS
To receive programme details and booking information please send an email to:
Carole Brocken at brockenc[at]@edgehill.ac.uk - replace [at] with @
Any other questions or for further information please contact Nasreen Kaleem or Carole Brocken directly at:
Carole Brocken or Nasreen Kaleem
Centre for Local Policy Studies
Edge Hill University
St Helens Road
Ormskirk
Lancashire
L39 4QP
Tel: Office – 01695 584765
Email: brockenc[at]edgehill.ac.uk or kaleemn[at]edgehill.ac.uk – replace [at] with @
Visit our Website: www.clps.org.uk
