10.00 Chair’s welcome address and opening keynote:
Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor, London Borough of Lewisham / Chair, LGA HR Panel

State of the nation: early messages from Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) and future workforce challenges
Tracey Dennison, Managing Director of HR, Audit Commission
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10.30 Reality check: facing tough times together
A lively opening debate presenting three key perspectives on the impact of reduced
public spending on the local government workforce.

Chair: Michael Cross, independent journalist and commentator

The leadership perspective
Cllr Roger Phillips, Herefordshire County Council / Deputy Chair, LGA HR Panel

The workforce perspective
Dave Prentis, General Secretary, UNISON

The HR perspective
Gillian Hibberd, President, PPMA (Public Sector People Managers Association) / Corporate Director (People, Policy and Communications), Buckinghamshire County Council

This highly interactive ‘Question Time’ session will pose a series of delegate-generated questions to the three panelists, with additional contributions from the conference chair, local authority chief executives and members of the audience.

12.00 Leading the way: experiences from the front line
Choice of one from four interactive case studies / workshops:

Breakout 1: increasing employee happiness and customer service
Cllr Peter Goldsworthy, Leader, Chorley Borough Council
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Breakout 2: more for less - increasing productivity
Phil Badley, Service Director, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Graham White, Director of Human Resources, Westminster City Council

Breakout 3: leading the workforce through transformation
Brendon Hills, Corporate Director Community and Environment, London Borough of Harrow
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Breakout 4: Creating success in unique times. The NHS experience of leadership in times of change
Karen Murphy, Director Muika Associates Limited with
Marcia Daley, Head of Education and Organisational Development, Barnet Primary Care Trust

13.50 Chair’s welcome back to afternoon sessions:
Cllr Steve Comer, Bristol City Council / Vice-Chair, LGA HR Panel

Wider perspectives: making the links
Two high-level perspectives on shared issues that will influence the shape of public sector workforce strategies for the future.

The NHS perspective: a strategic approach to workforce with QIPP (Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention)
Sian Thomas, Director, NHS Employers

Worklessness and the public sector
David Amos, Co-Chair - Workforce Task Group, Cabinet Office

14.50 Decision time: tackling four key challenges
Choice of one from four interactive group discussions, each addressing a key challenge facing local government workforce leaders over the next few years.

Breakout 1: reward and recognition in tough times
Jan Parkinson, Managing Director, LGE (Local Government Employers)

Breakout 2: managing downsizing, maintaining morale and controlling risk
Peter Reilly, Director of HR Research, Institute of Employment Studies
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Breakout 3: workforce issues and Total Place
Damian Roberts, Director - Strategy and Communications, London Borough of Croydon
Sian Thomas, Director, NHS Employers
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Breakout 4: tackling worklessness
Cllr Stephen Houghton, Leader, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

15.40 Onwards and upwards: leading from the front

Closing keynote address
Lord McKenzie of Luton, Parliamentary Under Secretary, Communities and Local Government