The Strictly Highways Conference Programme is very much in the forefront of my mind right now. It is one of the many areas of my job I love, but it also comes with a great sense of responsibility. It is important to us to create a programme that not just stimulates, but also provides insights into the national perspective, along with issues facing councils, whilst also providing an opportunity to hear from other councils.
From its humble beginnings back in 2018, coming from an idea from Susanne Ingham to Will Britain (Founder of LCRIG) and of course a dash of Charlotte Bromley magic, Strictly Highways was born in Blackpool, with a long-term vision of being the “go to” event for councils. Will Britain had a vision of a conference that was focused on subjects that mattered to councils. 2018 was also my first experience of Strictly Highways, I loved it then and I love it now – I loved the friendly but collaborative feel, and although I wasn’t yet on the advisory board (this came later), it was the way suppliers and councils were keen to share ideas, innovation and good practice that impressed me. I think this is why I feel such a sense of responsibility – and although the final programme doesn’t sit alone on my shoulders, it is still a responsibility, nonetheless.
Our overall mission at LCRIG is focused around four main themes of; collaboration, innovation, skills, and a dedicated commitment to supporting the decarbonisation of the highways sector. Our roots grew from connecting the sector through innovation and collaboration, and it is the LCRIG themes and connecting the sector that remain the same this year (and have done in previous years).
This year, we will have speakers from DfT, TTF, National Highways, our partners such as Primary Engineer, updates on our skills work and some surprises!
We also have opportunities for councils either individually or with their partners (such as supply chain) to speak within the theme areas further below. This is the part of pulling the programme together that I really enjoy, the sector puts forward ideas. So, I urge readers (requests to speak must come from councils in the first instance) to look at what you do, and share this with your peers. We are looking for great sessions in the following areas, and just to be clear we really do want to also encourage councils that we’ve not heard from before, but also those we have.
- Collaboration – councils and partners working together
- Innovation – What’s new, what’s occupying the mind
- Skills – Practical examples of increasing skills across a range of ages
- Adaptation and decarbonisation – sharing ideas and practical insights
If you are interested in putting forward a proposal please complete this form and potentially help play a part in the conference.
I must at this point thank our advisory board members who will be helping me with the final selection. We have fantastic board members, who regularly go above and beyond to support all that we do at LCRIG. They come from County Councils, Unitary Councils, and also from different perspectives and roles within the sector.
Finally, I will be taking a break for the next couple of weeks, and my colleagues will be stepping in to provide updates in my absence.
Paula Claytonsmith, CEO