Developing a partnership response to the recession

Responding to the economic downturn - the role and potential of partnerships

The changed economic landscape means that more than ever we need to make the most of the resources we have available, both to minimise the impact of the downturn, and to make sure we are ready to take advantage of any recovery.

Stakeholders are already considering these issues in their local areas, often using the LSP as a forum for debate.

‘Responding to the economic downturn - the role and potential of partnerships’ will bring together people who are considering the impact of the downturn and are working to respond to it.  The Milton Keynes based event on 18^th November will consider the benefits of:

• Sharing economic data and information

• Understanding and impact of the economic downturn and working to mitigate its impact

• Working to position local areas to benefit from economic recovery

• Refocusing priorities to reflect the new economic environment

Providing practical examples that illustrate how local areas have responded to the changed economic landscape will be a key part of the day.

Learning from the event will help delegates to ensure that they are doing everything they can to respond to the impact of the recession in the short term and prepare for the recovery in the longer term.

Who should attend:

• Councillors with economic interests (e.g. cabinet and scrutiny)

• Representatives from LSP Boards and economic partnerships

• LSP Managers

• Voluntary sector leaders

• Economic development managers

To register you interest contact janine@seemp.co.uk or complete an online registration form.

09:30 Registration and Refreshments (30 min)

10:00 Welcome and introduction – Sam Crooks - LSPE Chair/Leader of the Council (10 min)10:10

Panel of presentations exploring different perspectives: (50 min)

• Sarah Stevens (Regional Lead for Economic Development and Environment, Audit Commission) When it comes to the Crunch… Economic waves and the need for local responses to the recession
• Geoff Snelson (Corporate Director, Strategy and Partnerships, Milton Keynes Council) discusses the creation and work of the Economic Task Group (ETG) and provides practical examples of how partnership working and sharing of resources has been enhanced
• David Livermore (voluntary sector) provides practical examples of the work from the ETG

11.10 Q&A with the Panel (10 min)

11.20 Break/Coffee (15 min)

11.35 Round table discussion  - the present (total 1 hour)

This discussion focuses on the present. It asks you to consider:

• What is being done in your local area? What are the highlights? What is particularly successful? How have your local partnerships worked to support people during the recession (25min)
• What are the challenges you face in working to address the recession? To what extent have you been able to engage partners, including the business, and voluntary and community sectors?(25 min)

Followed by 10 minutes feedback

12.30 Lunch and networking (45 min)

13.15 Round table discussion - the future (total 1 hour)

This discussion asks you to focus on the next few years and beyond. Thinking about your discussions and the presentations before lunch, consider:

• How can partnerships and collaboration add value in addressing issues relating to the recession? What ideas do you have for future work? (25 min)
• What else would you like to do / what support would be useful? (25min)

Followed by 10 minutes feedback

14.15 Overall summary  and closing remarks – Geoff Snelson, the Regional Lead for Economic Development and Environment

14.30 Finish

Sarah Stevens presentation; when it comes to the crunch_sarahstevens.pdf  1Mb

Geoff Snelson's presentation; the economic task force.pdf  295Kb

David Livermore's presentation; the role of the third sector.pdf  77Kb

The report from the Milton Keynes recession event can be down loaded here - out_break_paper_mk.pdf  200Kb