President update 1st November - latest news from ADEPT
Hello! I’m back and thanks to Ann for taking over last month.
My very first day back in the office started with an 8-hour train journey from Plymouth to Birmingham, for the annual Highways UK conference. I took part in a panel discussion on championing investment in local roads to connect and enhance communities. Ably chaired by David Ogden from Colas, my co-panellists included Past President of ADEPT Rupert Clubb. I’d like to thank Ann Carruthers for chairing the 5th ADEPT National Traffic Managers Conference, which went extremely well with a really diverse set of speakers and of course, lots of opportunities for networking.
I also chaired a regular meeting of the joint Presidents of ADASS, ADCS and ADPH plus the LGA. As usual, it was very helpful to share intelligence and compare policy and manifesto priorities. We agreed that identifying a small number of key things that are for are mutual benefit, addressing mutual concerns and challenges, is critical to having an impact.
News and publications
Our major news this month is the publication of the Future Highways Research Group’s (FHRG) Carbon Calculation & Accounting Standard (CCAS) Carbon Reporting Guidance for Local Highways Authorities (GHG Scopes 1, 2 & 3). It’s a major achievement for Proving Services and the FHRG, particularly as it dives into the incredibly challenging Scope 3 emissions. You can find out more in the press release here, as well as this month’s climate change blog (see below) and listen out for Proving’s Simon Wilson in an upcoming Highways News podcast.
At this month’s Leadership Team, we welcomed Suzanne Smith from our sister association, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services. We have been working jointly on a campaign highlighting the severe challenges facing Homes2School transport provision, particularly for children with SEND. Suzanne took the team through both the SEND Transport Toolkit we are to publish shortly and our joint policy position which looks at funding and legislation, the role of health services and motability. Look out for them both on the ADEPT website next month.
Sticking with the transport theme, we also welcomed DfT’s Deputy Director, Traffic and Technology, Anthony Ferguson to talk through the implications for the Government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’ and the opportunity to feedback through an upcoming Call for Evidence.
Live Labs 2
The Live Labs teams have been busy! A Carbon Plenary in September was attended by all teams and aimed to achieve consistency in measuring carbon within the programme. Jane Anderson wrote a special blog covering the plenary here and slide decks from each team and the FHRG are available here. You can also find out how we are using the FHRG CCAS guidance in Live Labs 2 here. We gave a presentation at Highways UK and of course the project teams are preparing for the Live Labs 2 workshop session at the Autumn Conference – come and meet them there!
Blogs
There is definitely a carbon theme running through ADEPT’s work this month. Our Climate Change blog comes from Proving Services’ Simon Wilson. The Carbon Calculation & Accounting Standard (CCAS) is essential reading for all of us caught up in carbon reduction across our highways and maintenance. Simon’s blog, which guides us through a very complex subject is available here.
Back to Live Labs and we have an introduction to Greenprint. A partnership between South Gloucestershire Council and West Sussex County Council, the project aims to revolutionise green estate management. Find out more here.
Events
Our next Lunch & Learn session on 24th November is hosted by Balfour Beatty and provides insight into their Military Talent Pathway, part of the work of their Armed Forces Steering Group. One of the Pathway’s primary objectives is to help veterans transition into the construction industry. Book your free place here.
We are also running another of our hugely popular Green Finance Training with CIPFA sessions on London. These are always over-subscribed so make sure you book your place for 6th December. Find out more here.
And if you haven’t already done so, it’s time to book your travel to Nottingham for our 2023 ADEPT Autumn Conference - Creating strong places: leadership from the ground up on the 16th and 17th November. Our wide-ranging sessions include place, political dynamics and the public mood; the future of transport; and what we learned from Covid-19 as well as greening urban spaces and protecting the physical and digitally engineered world.
It's incredibly popular as well as being great value for money and a fantastic opportunity to meet colleagues from across the country. Find the latest programme (there are always last minute surprises!) and book your place 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.