President update 1st June - latest news from ADEPT
As you may know, I handed over the reins of the ADEPT presidency to Anthony Payne at the Spring Conference last week. Before I pass responsibility for this monthly update to him, however, I wanted to thank all my colleagues, partners and ADEPT members for their support over the last twelve months. It has been a very busy and productive year, filled with many accomplishments for the organisation and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as ADEPT president. I would like to wish Anthony all the best as he embarks on his journey for the year ahead!
I was delighted to host the ADEPT Spring Conference and Annual Awards Dinner last week. These were both thought provoking and dynamic events and it was wonderful to meet so many members and new people.
At the event we launched ADEPT’s new three year strategic plan: Placing Communities First. The plan has been designed around three areas of focus - people, place and planet. They encapsulate the critical and interrelated global, national and local challenges faced by all places – a changing climate, economic growth and overall wellbeing. The plan is designed to guide ADEPT’s work over the coming three years as we seek to influence policy, support members and help our communities to navigate the challenges ahead. You can read the strategic plan here.
We also held the annual ADEPT President awards at the Spring Conference, which was a real highlight for me. It was exciting to celebrate innovation in our local places and see the breadth of fresh ideas and collaborative work showcased at the event. It was a real honour to announce the winners: Essex County Council for its Harlow and Tendring Retrofit Pipeline for Economic Renewal project, Surrey County Council for Digital Placemaking - your neighbourhood in 3D initiative and London Borough of Newham for its Community Assemblies Programme.
This year, ADEPT also introduced a new category to recognise a team member who makes a real difference by the way they work, the outcomes they deliver and the influence they exert. The ADEPT President's Special Recognition Award went to Farah Hussain from Newcastle City Council. Many thanks to our award sponsors Jacobs, Ringway, WSP and Norse Group. You can find out more about the winners, our highly commended projects and all the 2023 entries here.
The key theme for the Spring Conference was resilience through the lens of people, place and planet. I think all the sessions were thought provoking and they hopefully started ongoing conversations, and promoted action, about we can remain resilient in what continues to be challenging times. To read my full summary of the conference, please read the article here.
Before I finish, I would also like to announce that Kylie Russell has been appointed as ADEPT’s new Deputy CEO. Kylie is due to start her role in July and I wish her all the best!
Live Labs 2
All seven Live Labs 2 projects are now through to deployment stage! After completing their final assessments, it was announced that all of the projects will be taken forward to deployment and procurement. The final assessments came at the end of a three month fully-funded mobilisation phase where project teams developed their proposals into a specified and costed programme of works. Read the announcement here.
Events and other news
The next Lunch & Learn session will focus on natural capital and nature-based solutions. We will be discussing what natural capital is and what is driving interest in it, including the 25 Year Environmental Plan in the Environment Act 2021 and exploring how a natural capital approach can deliver multiple benefits across projects. The event will be hosted by Jacobs and will take place on 23rd June. Book your place.
The second ADEPT / Colas round table on workforce issues is being held in Chester on Thursday 29th June – this time focusing on equality, diversity and inclusion, and future jobs. To book your place or to find out more, please click here.
Blogs
ADEPT and CIPFA have continued their partnership to design and deliver green finance training for local authorities. This month’s Climate Change blog features ADEPT Chief Executive, Hannah Bartram, talking about the recent training event. The blog is here.
The Live Labs blog focuses on carbon assessment and is written by Life Cycle Assessment Practitioner and Live Labs 2 board member Jane Anderson. As we move into the deployment phase, Jane talks about her involvement and ambitions for Live Labs 2. The blog is here.
You can find out more about ADEPT’s latest news, publications and the work of our boards and groups on the website: www.adeptnet.org.uk
