Bold Governance and Courageous Scrutiny: Restoring Hope to Public Services
We are delighted to announce that our 2025 conference is happening at Eastside Rooms, in Birmingham on Thursday 20th March.
With ever increasing pressures placed on public services, bold governance and courageous scrutiny have never been more vital for decision making and managing risk.
Going through the motions doesn’t cut it anymore. Bold governance and courageous scrutiny will help councils and public services gain a new sense of optimism through collaboration, strategic thinking, and holding the guiding light that champions the best outcomes and value for communities.
What's on offer
Our day together will be framed around the attributes, leadership and culture needed for the here and now, and future. Focusing on courage, integrity, cooperation and belief, we will explore together what this means for what we do and how we do it.
Our keynote speakers will bring real-world insights to deepen our perspectives, complementing a series of cutting-edge workshops and panel discussions. With dedicated space for networking, you’ll have the chance to connect with experts from across the country, sparking collaboration, idea-sharing, and inspiration.
Prepare to be stimulated and challenged and leave with a renewed sense of hope, a bag of tools and ideas, and feel part of a community of shared endeavours.
Our conference themes include:
- The evolving role of new technology in public services and its governance implications
- The health and care sector, and opportunities for bold governance
- Devolution, democracy and the emerging challenges and opportunities for governance and scrutiny
- From data to stories – sense making and insights that include social value and impact
- The role of communities in governance and scrutiny
Sessions at a glance
We are designing our conference so there is something for everyone – whether you like to get active, hear from a range of experts, or have discussions with peers.
The day will be packed with different sessions to chose from:
We’ll explore topics including what’s needed for ‘assurance’ from a cultural perspective, as we delve into what keeps you up at night; public participation in governance and scrutiny; building a courageous scrutiny culture; and demonstrating scrutiny’s impact through real-world case studies.
You’ll hear insights from key voices in the sector on devolution and place leadership; financial scrutiny; the implications of governance in health and social care integration; the loss of ‘referral power’ and its impact on health; and forms of scrutiny outside of formal structures.
A range of hands-on activities, such as prototyping new engagement models or examining bold approaches to place-based scrutiny when working with organisations beyond the council, plus health and social care governance.
A chance to share ideas in unique ways including speed networking, a question bank, and collaborative activities like ‘Love Letters to Scrutiny.‘
Opportunities to learn from leaders and trailblazers in the sector who are redefining governance with courage and collaboration.
Eastside offers exciting spaces to connect, learn, and collaborate in, with colleagues and experts in governance and scrutiny.
Reasons to go
- Cutting-edge content – From keynote speeches to interactive workshops, we’ll dive into themes like community participation, health and care governance, and emerging opportunities through devolution.
- Practical takeaways – This isn’t just about theory— the sessions are designed to provide tools and techniques to tackle current challenges more effectively, ultimately enhancing accountability and transparency. You’ll build practical, actionable knowledge that can be applied immediately upon return.
- Networking – Connect with peers, experts, and innovators, building relationships to support shared challenges and solutions and working together on shared endeavours.
- Inspiration and optimism – With increasing pressures on public services, gain fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of hope to reinvigorate your work.
Throughout the day, we will collect your ideas and questions leading to an extended Q&A during the closing session with a live feedback channel so we can see thoughts and comments in real time.
This conference will be our biggest, brightest and best yet.
Save the date in your diary and look out for more information about speakers and the programme in the coming months.
Book your place here
Book and pay for your ticket here using a credit or debit card.
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For details of how to transfer your ticket to someone else, or cancel, please read our Booking and Cancellation policy
Travel & Accommodation
Eastside Rooms, Woodcock St, Birmingham B7 4BL
Aloft Birmingham Eastside is right next door to the venue – Book online or call the reservations team on 0121 820 6000.Conference fees are £200.00 (excluding VAT)
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