President's Update

This blog page features updates from ADEPT's President, Ann Carruthers.

Latest post

President update 31st March - latest news from ADEPT

Hello everyone,

Spring has finally arrived and with it comes a fresh wave of activity and progress. 

I attended the National Flood Resilience Forum chaired by Minister Emma Hardy, focusing on enhancing flood resilience across the UK. I also participated in the MHCLG Local Government Funding Reform Strategy group, where we discussed the upcoming business rates consultation and funding changes planned for April 2026. 

March also saw the Interchange event in Manchester, where I delivered a keynote speech and participated in a roundtable with National Highways. I received the annual update from the Canal & River Trust; and I had the pleasure of chairing a joint ADEPT / CIWEM webinar on adaptation and resilience. It was also brilliant to meet the 14th cohort of the Leadership Development Programme too. What an enthusiastic lot they were.

Onto ADEPT updates – I really enjoyed the Live Labs 2 Expo 2025 in Liverpool. The engagement and collaboration demonstrated throughout the event was really positive and showcased real, tangible progress in decarbonising UK highways, with innovative presentations from SMEs and key sector specialists. I loved the “silent” presentations, nearly as good as a silent disco!

If you weren't able to join us, don't worry - there's another opportunity coming soon through the online Live Labs 2 Mini Expo on 30th April. It will be a way to meet, discuss and contribute to the Live Labs 2 programme, helping to share learnings so far and set out priorities for the year ahead. Find out more here.

ADEPT provided comment on the Spring Statement last week, where we again called for more comprehensive support for local government and critical infrastructure. 

I am keen that we support members as local government grapples with local government reorganisation and devolution. Please do register here to attend our 1st webinar on LGR (4th April) and here to attend the 2nd webinar on Devolution (1st May). The secretariat will be running webinars on specific issues going forward.

As we look ahead to late spring, I'd like to remind everyone that bookings are now open for the ADEPT Spring Conference and Annual Awards Dinner on 22nd May. This year's theme, 'Resilience in Place,' couldn't be more timely, with sessions covering economic, environmental and human resilience. It's an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues, share achievements, and explore innovative approaches to the challenges we're facing. Don't forget to book your place now!

For more updates on ADEPT's latest news, publications, and the work of our boards and groups, visit our website: www.adeptnet.org.uk

Gallery - click to view a larger version

More posts

  • President update 2nd May - latest news from ADEPT

    April has been another busy month for ADEPT with events, collaborations, consultations and meetings with government.

    Thank you to everyone who entered the annual ADEPT President’s Awards. We had a high level of interest and we will now be judging the entries - the winners will be announced at the ADEPT Spring Conference and Presidential Awards Dinner on 25th May.

    Read more >

  • President update 1st February - latest news from ADEPT

    Well, the start to 2023 has certainly been busy for ADEPT!

    A particular highlight for me has been the official launch of Live Labs 2. Kicking off with an internal event on 19th January, the teams – seven Live Labs collaborating across four interconnected themes – were able to meet for the first time. This is an exciting phase and I am really looking forward to seeing how the project progresses. You can read the press release for more information.

    Read more >

  • President update 1st November - latest news from ADEPT

    This month sees us with a new, new Prime Minister. That’s almost exactly how I started off my last update! We also have a different Chancellor busily undoing much of his predecessor’s work. Where that leaves us in terms of funding and ‘efficiency’ savings, we now have to wait until November 17th to find out. The same day as our Autumn Conference (details below).

    Read more >

  • President update 3rd October - latest news from ADEPT

    This month sees us with a new Prime Minister and Chancellor making massive changes to the UK’s economic approach with huge borrowing and tax cuts that have created enormous market uncertainty. What this means for us in local government, already working under exceptional financial pressures and more than a few sleepless nights, is as yet unknown. At the time of writing, we have an idea what’s coming with the instruction to government departments to find yet more ‘efficiency’ savings, but we will have to wait until November 23rd for the details.

    Read more >

  • President update 1st September - latest news from ADEPT

    Welcome back! Most of us will have had our summer breaks and as we wait to find out who will be the next Prime Minister, we are all concerned with how we can support our communities through the coming energy crisis, while being impacted by many of the same issues ourselves.

    Read more >

Media enquiries: please contact Coast Communications 01579 352600 | VAT number: 337 0556 05 | Website by Cosmic