JOHN READ, NORTH EAST BRANCH

Virtual meeting 15 May

Following the results of the branch member questionnaire referred to in the last branch news update [Ed – see 2025 Spring Terrier], the branch held its first virtual meeting of the year on 15 May. The meeting was well attended and included Nicola Chiverton from SOLACE who joined us as a guest, to lead a discussion about recruitment and retention at a strategic level.

She first outlined the importance of technical skills to support public sector organisations and concentrated on some of the wider skills required to help progression within organisations. These included: development of general leadership skills; team management; political awareness; relationship management; and the management of multi-service areas.

Nicola advised that some of the current issues around recruitment and retention were skills shortages nationally; salary and benefits packages; staff leaving; weak internal pipelines for succession; nervousness about the security of public sector roles; and an ageing workforce.

She then went on to outline how individuals can aid their career progression to higher levels, advising that the following were essential: development of strategic thinking; knowledge of wider policy and governance structures; experience of long-term planning, budgeting and procurement; participation in public consultation; and developing cross sector and level communication and networking skills. It was suggested that many of these skills could be gained by proactive involvement in high impact initiatives and projects.

There was a long and healthy discussion afterwards and Nicola was thanked by all.

Other topics discussed included:

• Local Government Reorganisations and election results

• Surveying apprenticeship schemes

• Return to office working.

Live meeting, 6 June

Newcastle from Ward Hadaway offices

Our first branch meeting of the year was held on 6 June and hosted by Ward Hadaway at the company’s Newcastle Quayside offices, with great views over the River Tyne taking in the Gateshead Millenium Bridge and The Sage. Over 40 delegates attended the meeting and it included an excellent programme of CPD with the following speakers:

• Expiring PFIs – Melanie Pears and Saji Bratch, Ward Hadaway

• The public and private sectors – working together – Richard Wilson, Lambert Smith Hampton

• Investment trends – Emily Wood, Lambers Smith Hampton

• An introduction to dilapidations – Michale Fletcher, Lambert Smith Hampton

• Planning update – Tom Proctor and Yvette Black, Jones Lang LaSalle

• High Street Rental Auctions – Dan Gordon, MHCLG and Sarah Wayman, Darlington Borough Council

• Incidents on public sector sites – James Donnelly, Ward Hadaway.

Sarah Wayman, ACES and Darlington Borough Council and Dan Gordon, MHCLG

Marcus Perry, ACES Branch Liaison Officer, also addressed the meeting, promoting the ACES Trifold aimed at attracting new members, and reminded members of the dates of the Presidential Conference and AGM [Ed – see flyer in this issue].

The next branch virtual meeting is on 10 July and the work is ongoing to confirm the details of the next live branch meeting on 7 November.