In partnership with Today’s Reality… Tomorrow’s Vision nanc er e v o G end Welfa r um r fe e e R vices r nstitu e o t i S C o n y t i l i b Ref a or A m c nt cou C o D p i m e s h m e s s i m unit t r B e a n d e u g P artn d Annual Conference & Exhibition 2013 Thursday, 7 & Friday, 8 March, Fairmont, St Andrews nanc er e The conference will be chaired by Lesley Riddoch, British Radio Broadcaster and Journalist,v and speakers will include: o G end Welfa r um r Rt Hon Sir Menziesfe Campbell, CBE, QC, MP e e Councillor David R O’Neill, President, COSLA vices r nstitu e o t Alistair Darling, Leader of Better Together i S C o n Nicola Sturgeony MSP, Leader of the ‘Yes’ Campaign t i Councillorl Peter Johnston, Health & Social Care Spokesperson i John Swinneyb MSP, Cabinet SecretaryRef for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth a or A t m c Councillorn Harry McGuigan, Community, Wellbeing and Safety Spokesperson cou C o D Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government and Planningp i m e s Councillor Michael Cook, Vice President, COSLA h m e s m s i t Colin Mair, Chief Executive, Improvement Service unit r B e a n d e u d g Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and PWellbeingartn nanc nanc er e er e v v o o G G Councillor David O’Neill Rory Mair Colin Mair end Welfa end Welfa r um r President r um Chief Executive r Chief Executive fe e COSLA fe COSLA Improvemente Service e e R vices R vices r nstitu The 2013 COSLA and Improvement Service Annual Conferencer takes place on Thursday, 7 and Friday, 8 March 2013 nwithinstitu e o t e o t i St. Andrews. i S S C o C o n n y y t t Entitled ‘Today’s Reality… Tomorrow’s Vision’, the 2013 event will explore the key questions for Local Government at a time i i l of political change l and economic recession. i i b Ref b Ref a or It will explore howa our political aspirations to improveor people’s lives across the different communities of Scotland is A m A m c nt achievedc againstnt a backdrop of political, economic and welfare change. C cou C cou o o D D p p Councils, and their local partners, face severe spending constraints and a significant rise in demand for services while i i m recession still grips the economy and blights our communities. In facing the challengesm this brings, we do so against the e s e s h h m e s debate about the future political landscape for Scotland. This means Local Governmentm needse to be clear about our futures m s i t m s i t unit political and service delivery roles; be clear about what our priorities are in driving theu outcomenit approach forward; ensure a r B e a r B e n d P e u d g we work effectively with ourn dpartners in delivering change;P and ensuree local communities are more effectivelyu engagedd g artn with as part of the change process. artn We aim to ensure that the COSLA and Improvement Service Annual Conference continues to be the keynote event not only in the Scottish Local Government calendar but, also in the Scottish political context. The Conference will give those attending the opportunity to hear from key players in the debates about the future and it will help establish our future vision for Local Government in rising to the challenges our communities are facing. Some of the key issues that ‘Today’s Reality… Tomorrow’s Vision’ will explore: What is the depth of the problem we are actually facing? nanc er e Do we have the collective vision to deliver a better tomorrow? v o Where does Local Government fit in the post 2014 Scotland? G end Welfa r um r What must Local Governmentfe do to drive better outcomes and tackle inequality acrosse Scotland’s different communities in a recessionarye period and in light of Welfare Reform? R vices Why is Constitutional Protection needed? r nstitu e o t i S C o n Is Communityy Planning the silver bullet for local public service delivery? t i How can wel ensure the needs of local communities are at the heart of the political and local service delivery i debate? b Ref a or A m c How ncant we work together to shape the reform agenda going forward? cou C In a bid to answer these and other relevant questions, and turn political debateo into a programme of change, the 2013 D p event will blend political perspectives with those of external stakeholdersi from acrossm the Scottish, UK and the European e s h political spectrum. m e s s i m unit t r B e The Conference will alsoa nbed a celebration of excellence withinP Local Governmente in the shape of the Annual Excellenceu d g Awards Ceremony which once again has been incorporated withinart nthe Annual Conference on the Thursday evening. The 2013 event, following the success of the 2012 conference format, will take place over a two day period on Thursday, 7 and Friday, 8 March and will once again be held at Fairmont, St. Andrews, Fife. The 2013 fee includes: As a member Authority, attending as a full residential conference delegate will cost £395 plus VAT. nanc Included in the full residential conference delegate fee is one nights’ accommodation on Thursday, 7 March,nanc attendance at er e the COSLA Excellence Awards, Pre-Dinner Reception, Dinner and Ceremony. It also includes attendanceer at thee Conference v sessions, including tea/coffee and lunch on 7 and 8 March. v o o G G end Welfa Plenary Sessions end Hotel InformationWelfa r um r r um r fe e The conference will commencefe at 9.30am on Thursday, 7 Fairmont St Andrews sits proudlye amidst the rugged e March. This is your chance toe contribute to the debate on coastal landscape of East Scotland. It is 50 minutes from R vices R vices r nstitu key issues in Scotland. r Edinburgh and 90 minutes from both Aberdeen andn stitu e o t e o t i Glasgow. The resort offers an international standard of i S S C o The conference is an invaluable opportunity to network in C o n n y y service and meticulous attention to detail in the comfort t t an informal situation. and convenience of a modern world class resort. Fairmont i i l l St Andrews is approximately two miles from St Andrews i i b Ref Accommodationb Ref town centre and 20 minutes from Leuchars Railway Station. a or a or Information on Fairmont St Andrews can be obtained from A t m A t m c n This cyear’s eventn will be held at Fairmont St Andrews Hotel www.fairmont.com C cou C and it isc anticipatedou that all conference delegates will be o o D D p p accommodated within the Hotel. All accommodation i i m must be booked through COSLA by Friday, 1 February Delegate Attendancem Options e s e s h h m e s 2013. We are unable to guarantee places for forms m e s s i s i m unit t m The following flexibleu attendancenit options allow you tot r B e received after this date. r B e a n d P e u d g a n d P attende the conference on a basis which best usuitsd gyour artn For further information regarding the Hotel or arneeds.tn These changes are in response to customer accommodation, please contact Linda Bruce on demand and reflect delegates’ increasing workplace 0131 474 9228 or email [email protected] commitments. Please read the options and mark your choices on the booking form. Option 1 Option 6 Full residential conference delegate Pre-Dinner Reception, Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner on Thursday, 7 March Accommodation on Thursday, 7 March and attendance at all sessions, including tea/coffee and lunch on Thursday, 7 Attendance at the Pre-Dinner Reception, Excellence Awards and Friday, 8 March. Pre-Dinner Reception, Awards Ceremony and Dinner on Thursday, 7 nMarch.anc Does NOT er e Ceremony and Dinner, on Thursday, 7 March. include accommodation on Thursday,v 7 March. o Option 2 Exhibiting G Day delegate on Thursday, 7e Marchndu Welfa er m The exhibition is an integralr part of the Conference, f attracting a wide variety eof organisations working in both Attendance at all sessions,e tea/coffee and lunch on Thursday, 7 March. Does NOT include accommodation or the public and private sectors. Refreshments will be served R vices attendance at Awards Ceremony and Dinner. r in the exhibition areas to ensure that exhibitors havens thetit u e o t chance to meet with delegates. i S C o Option 3 n y t Further information is available from Jessica Maloumi Day delegate on i Friday, 8 March l on 0131 474 9224 or email [email protected] i Attendance at all sessions, tea/coffee and lunch on Friday, b Refo 8 March. a r Advertising A m c nt Optionco 4u The official conferenceC brochure contains essential o D programmep and speaker information and is distributed to Accommodation on Wednesday, 6 March all delegatesi attendingm the Conference.