Newsroom
11/01/2010
The Summit 2010 - North East Local Government Working Together
The Summit 2010: For North East Local Government, organised by the Association of North East Councils, saw regional and national partners come together on Friday (8 January) to hear about and debate North East Local Government's vision for the future.
Councillors and senior representatives from across the North East's 12 councils and public, community and business sectors attended The Summit 2010, which was held at The Sage Gateshead.
Speakers at the event included Nick Brown MP, Minister for the North East who introduced a special DVD message from the Prime Minister in which he thanked local government workers in the region for their tireless work in serving communities.
Gordon Brown praised the commitment of the 12 Leaders and Elected Mayors in working together to ensure that there is collective support for the issues that matter most to the region, saying: "These have been tough times but, as this conference shows, the North East is a 'can do' region and your spirit, your resilience, your creativity is already enabling you to benefit from and in turn to drive the economic recovery."
Nick Brown MP also commended the partnership working demonstrated by local government in the region. He said: "The thing that this region does best is to work cooperatively together. The Association of North East Councils and One North East have established a good working relationship, which will be crucial to getting the North East through the recession. Our responsibility is to provide local leadership on an enduring basis and confront the problems we face. We can achieve great things by working together. "
Shadow Local Government Minister Bob Neill MP said: "Local government has the opportunity to make a difference. But much more collaboration is needed, not just between local authorities, the Police and the health service but across the private sector as well."
A short film was broadcast to delegates featuring the Leaders and Elected Mayors of North East councils highlighting positive developments across the region's 12 local authorities.
Cllr Paul Watson, Chair of the Association, commented: "Leaders and elected mayors of all 12 councils have given a strong commitment to work together to bring clear political leadership and collective support to those issues that are fundamentally important to the North East."
David Harker, partner with Deloitte's public sector team in Newcastle, said: "During turbulent economic times, the region is proving itself to be resilient and strong. Whilst the next few years will pose further challenges in the form of public sector budget constraints, consistent leadership, performance management and public engagement will ensure the north east responds to change with the positive, progressive attitude it's known for."
Margaret Eaton DBE, Chair of the Local Government Association; Dr Phyllis Starkey MP, Chair of the Select Committee for Communities and Local Government; Tony Travers, Director of the Greater London Group, London School of Economics; and Dave Prentis, General Secretary, UNISON were among speakers who also addressed The Summit 2010 delegates.
Afternoon breakout sessions saw national and regional speakers focus on partnership working in local government, how councillors and other politicians can improve their engagement and connection with communities, and how the region can further develop itself in the new and renewable energy industries.
Steve Cram MBE, Chancellor of Sunderland University closed the event with a rousing and inspiring speech focussing on the pride he feels for the North East as a 'can do' region with 'can do' people.
The Summit 2010 was sponsored by NHS North East, Deloitte, One North East, Homes and Communities Agency and the North East Improvement and Efficiency Partnership.
Notes for Editors
The Association of North East Councils is the representative body for local government in the North East. It encompasses the 12 local authorities in the North East in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and the Tees Valley, on issues of concern to them and the communities they serve.
It is a cross-party organisation, with all of its Members democratically elected and
accountable politicians.
For further information please contact Bethan Hughes, Communications Officer, on 0191 261 3917 or 07957 823 864 (mobile); email bethan.hughes@northeastcouncils.gov.uk
Councillors and senior representatives from across the North East's 12 councils and public, community and business sectors attended The Summit 2010, which was held at The Sage Gateshead.
Speakers at the event included Nick Brown MP, Minister for the North East who introduced a special DVD message from the Prime Minister in which he thanked local government workers in the region for their tireless work in serving communities.
Gordon Brown praised the commitment of the 12 Leaders and Elected Mayors in working together to ensure that there is collective support for the issues that matter most to the region, saying: "These have been tough times but, as this conference shows, the North East is a 'can do' region and your spirit, your resilience, your creativity is already enabling you to benefit from and in turn to drive the economic recovery."
Nick Brown MP also commended the partnership working demonstrated by local government in the region. He said: "The thing that this region does best is to work cooperatively together. The Association of North East Councils and One North East have established a good working relationship, which will be crucial to getting the North East through the recession. Our responsibility is to provide local leadership on an enduring basis and confront the problems we face. We can achieve great things by working together. "
Shadow Local Government Minister Bob Neill MP said: "Local government has the opportunity to make a difference. But much more collaboration is needed, not just between local authorities, the Police and the health service but across the private sector as well."
A short film was broadcast to delegates featuring the Leaders and Elected Mayors of North East councils highlighting positive developments across the region's 12 local authorities.
Cllr Paul Watson, Chair of the Association, commented: "Leaders and elected mayors of all 12 councils have given a strong commitment to work together to bring clear political leadership and collective support to those issues that are fundamentally important to the North East."
David Harker, partner with Deloitte's public sector team in Newcastle, said: "During turbulent economic times, the region is proving itself to be resilient and strong. Whilst the next few years will pose further challenges in the form of public sector budget constraints, consistent leadership, performance management and public engagement will ensure the north east responds to change with the positive, progressive attitude it's known for."
Margaret Eaton DBE, Chair of the Local Government Association; Dr Phyllis Starkey MP, Chair of the Select Committee for Communities and Local Government; Tony Travers, Director of the Greater London Group, London School of Economics; and Dave Prentis, General Secretary, UNISON were among speakers who also addressed The Summit 2010 delegates.
Afternoon breakout sessions saw national and regional speakers focus on partnership working in local government, how councillors and other politicians can improve their engagement and connection with communities, and how the region can further develop itself in the new and renewable energy industries.
Steve Cram MBE, Chancellor of Sunderland University closed the event with a rousing and inspiring speech focussing on the pride he feels for the North East as a 'can do' region with 'can do' people.
The Summit 2010 was sponsored by NHS North East, Deloitte, One North East, Homes and Communities Agency and the North East Improvement and Efficiency Partnership.
Notes for Editors
The Association of North East Councils is the representative body for local government in the North East. It encompasses the 12 local authorities in the North East in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and the Tees Valley, on issues of concern to them and the communities they serve.
It is a cross-party organisation, with all of its Members democratically elected and
accountable politicians.
For further information please contact Bethan Hughes, Communications Officer, on 0191 261 3917 or 07957 823 864 (mobile); email bethan.hughes@northeastcouncils.gov.uk
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