Local government stands at a crossroads. We’re living through what might be the biggest transformation local government has seen in 50 years.
At the same time, the importance of ‘place’ continues to be high on the government agenda; whether it is delivering 1.5 million homes, reforming the planning system, creating jobs, filling in potholes or tackling the changing climate.
This transformation brings significant challenges
- Budget pressures on local councils continue to mount, stretching capacity and testing their ability to deliver the best outcomes for residents.
- Political shifts are reshaping the landscape, with the local elections in May seeing further erosion of traditional party politics.
- Digital transformation is no longer optional – it is now the foundation for more efficient, resilient and inclusive service delivery.
- Global factors (from Covid-19 and Brexit, to inflation and ongoing international conflicts) continue to create uncertainties that ripple through our communities.
Opportunities to transform service delivery
Yet within these challenges lie opportunities.
The government’s commitment to widening and deepening devolution represents genuine recognition that local place-based solutions are essential for addressing social disparities and improving infrastructure.
Place-based approaches and digital innovation go hand in hand with data, technology and local partnerships underpinning smarter, more connected services.
The focus on transformative service delivery, longer-term funding certainty and meaningful collaboration creates the potential for real change in how we serve our communities.
This is why ADEPT’s focus this year centres on 3 critical priorities: how we influence, innovate and ensure inclusivity.
These aren’t abstract concepts. They represent a practical framework for navigating transformation, while maintaining the capacity and capability our communities depend on.
For ADEPT, this also means championing digital leadership and inclusive design so that no community is left behind.
The ADEPT Autumn Conference 2025
Against this backdrop, the ADEPT Autumn Conference will focus squarely on these complex and interrelated challenges. And crucially, on the opportunities they present.
Our programme brings together leading voices to examine what devolution really means for residents, our economy, our environment and our services.
Headline speaker
We’re particularly pleased that Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, is our headline speaker.
Bringing his direct experience of how devolution can work in practice.
Agenda
Key topics throughout the 2 days will include:
- Developing digital capability
- Devolution and local government reform – what does the future hold?
- Building new towns for the future
- The impacts of political change on local government
- Sharing best practice in delivering home to school transport
Our workshop sessions will dive deeper into practical challenges. Covering areas such as: reform of the water sector; investing in nature recovery; and resilient infrastructure.
There’s a powerful opening session with Manchester Youth Council asking: “what has local government ever done for us (and what more could it do)?”. Reminding us who we ultimately serve.
The conference provides essential time and space for reflection and sharing experiences, while offering the opportunity to hear exciting speakers with fresh ideas for shaping the future.
This provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on our long history of supporting place-based leadership while preparing for the challenges ahead.
The ADEPT Autumn Conference takes place on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 November at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester.
Browse the full programme and check out the registration details.
We would love to see you there.
Socitm at ADEPT’s Autumn Conference
Plenary 6: Developing a digital workforce
11:00 to 12:00 on Friday 21 November
President Kurt Frary (Head of IT/CTO at Norfolk County Council) is a speaker on Plenary 6 with Euan Blair (Founder and CEO of Multiverse) and Graeme Kane (Assistant Director for Highways, Waste and Growth at North Northants Council).
Kurt has over 35 years’ experience working in both public and the private sector and his passion for digital innovation, change and technology is compelling. He is currently leading Norfolk’s AI innovation programme, chairs Norfolk’s AI Governance board and had just delivered Norfolk’s Future Network programme.
About the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT)
ADEPT is the voice of local authority place directors and their teams. Our members manage vital local services – from highways, waste, recycling and planning – while also preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the future.