EVENTS NOTICE: NLGN fringe events at the Autumn party conferences

September 17, 2004

NLGN fringe events
@ the Autumn party conferences 2004

Liberal Democrats – Bournemouth, 20 & 21 September
Labour – Brighton, 27-29 September
Conservatives – Bournemouth, 5 & 6 October

All welcome. Refreshments provided at all events.

Liberal Democrats Bournemouth

Monday 20th September – Clifton Suite, Hermitage Hotel, Exeter Road (opp BIC)
6.00pm – 7.15pm

‘Regions to be Cheerful?’

Whatever the outcome of the forthcoming referenda, the increased role of regional structures in the UK is beyond doubt. But is this move to a more regional – some might say, strategic – way of doing things generally positive? Will the powers being proposed for potential regional governments be effective enough? What effect might developments have on both local and central government? And what might it all mean for New Localism? This New Local Government Network debate will consider whether there are good reasons to be cheerful about regions.

Speakers:
Ed Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary, ODPM
Cllr Suzanne Fletcher, Leader, Liberal Democrat Group, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Cllr Chris Clarke, Leader, LGA Liberal Democrat Group
Cllr John Smithson, Deputy Leader, Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council

Chair: Ian Parker, NLGN

Tuesday 21st September – Keble Suite, Hermitage Hotel, Exeter Road (opp BIC)
6.00pm – 7.15 pm

‘Local e-Democracy – a new and different dialogue for citizens and politicians?’

It is becoming apparent that new forms of technology offer many new ways for citizens and politicians to engage with one another. But does the internet, social software and other developments threaten local government and local councillors? Or should such developments be openly embraced in the name of democracy. This New Local Government Network debate – supported by the National Project for Local e-Democracy – will look beyond e-government obsessions with the 2005 target and consider how e-democracy might bring about real local debate and dialogue.

Speakers:
Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat, Shadow Secretary, DWP
Cllr Mary Reid, e-champion, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Ben Rowland, (RSe Consulting), Programme Manager of the National Project for Local e-democracy

Chair: Warren Hatter, NLGN

Labour Brighton

Monday 27th September – Lancing Room, Hilton West Pier
12.45pm – 2.00pm

‘Regions to be Cheerful?’

Whatever the outcome of the forthcoming referenda, the increased role of regional structures in the UK is beyond doubt. But is this move to a more regional – some might say, strategic – way of doing things generally positive? Will the powers being proposed for potential regional governments be effective enough? What effect might developments have on both local and central government? And what might it all mean for New Localism? This New Local Government Network debate will consider whether there are good reasons to be cheerful about regions.

Speakers:
Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP, Minister for Local Government & The Regions, ODPM
Graham Stringer MP
Cllr Mick Henry, Leader, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
Emily Robinson, NLGN

Chair: Peter Hetherington, Regional Affairs Editor, The Guardian

Tuesday 28th September – Chartwell Suite, Metropole Hotel
7.15pm – 8.30pm

‘Where next for New Localism?’

Speakers:
Rt Hon Alan Milburn MP (subject to availability)
Angela Eagle MP, Founder Member, New Wave Labour
Heather Wakefield, Head of Local Government, UNISON
Jules Pipe, Mayor, London Borough of Hackney
Dan Corry, Director, NLGN
Chair: Roger Blitz, UK Affairs Editor, The Financial Times

Wednesday 29th September – Belgrave Suite, Belgrave Hotel
12.45pm – 2.00pm

‘Local e-Democracy – a new and different dialogue for citizens and politicians?’

It is becoming apparent that new forms of technology offer many new ways for citizens and politicians to engage with one another. But does the internet, social software and other developments threaten local government and local councillors? Or should such developments be openly embraced in the name of democracy. This New Local Government Network debate – supported by the National Project for Local e-Democracy – will look beyond e-government obsessions with the 2005 target and consider how e-democracy might bring about real local debate and dialogue.

Speakers:
Phil Hope MP, Local Government Minister, ODPM
Cllr Andrew Brown, Cabinet Member and ‘Blogger’, London Borough of Lewisham
Anna Randle, NLGN and co-author Invisible Villages: techno-localism and the enabling council
Ben Rowland, (RSe Consulting), Programme Manager of the National Project for Local e-democracy

Chair: Michael Cross, Editor, ‘Public Domain’, The Guardian

Conservatives Bournemouth

Tuesday 5th October, Keble Suite, Hermitage Hotel, Exeter Road (opp BIC)
6.00pm – 7.15pm

‘Local e-Democracy – a new and different dialogue for citizens and politicians?’

It is becoming apparent that new forms of technology offer many new ways for citizens and politicians to engage with one another. But does the internet, social software and other developments threaten local government and local councillors? Or should such developments be openly embraced in the name of democracy. This New Local Government Network debate – supported by the National Project for Local e-Democracy – will look beyond e-government obsessions with the 2005 target and consider how e-democracy might bring about real local debate and dialogue.

Speakers:
Phil Hammond MP, Conservative Shadow Secretary for Local and Devolved Government
Cllr Dale Birch, Deputy Leader, Bracknell Forest Borough Council
Cllr Mike Freer, Cabinet Member, London Borough of Barnet
Ben Rowland, (RSe Consulting), Programme Manager of the National Project for Local e-democracy
Dan Corry, NLGN

Wednesday 6th October, Clifton Suite, Hermitage Hotel, Exeter Road (opp BIC)
1.00pm – 2.15pm

‘Regions to be Cheerful?’

Whatever the outcome of the forthcoming referenda, the increased role of regional structures in the UK is beyond doubt. But is this move to a more regional – some might say, strategic – way of doing things generally positive? Will the powers being proposed for potential regional governments be effective enough? What effect might developments have on both local and central government? And what might it all mean for New Localism? This New Local Government Network debate will consider whether there are good reasons to be cheerful about regions.

Speakers:
Hon Bernard Jenkin MP, Conservative Shadow Secretary for the Regions
Cllr Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Chair LGA and Leader, Kent County Council
Yvette Livesey, Visionary Director, ‘In the City’ and pro-North West regional assembly supporter
Warren Hatter, NLGN

Chair: Peter Hetherington, Regional Affairs Editor, The Guardian

Notes for Editors:
The New Local Government Network is an independent think-tank, seeking to transform public services, revitalise local political leadership and empower local communities. www.nlgn.org.uk

All media enquiries to Ian Parker – 020 7357 0116 / ian@nlgn.org.uk


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