Event details
Today, we gather not to tiptoe around the edges of change—but to confront it head-on. This event, Innovation vs Institution, asks a question that’s long overdue: Are our councils truly ready for reform—or are they stuck in the mud of tradition, bureaucracy, and inertia?
Local government is the backbone of public life. It touches everything—from housing and transport to education and social care. Yet too often, innovation is treated as a threat rather than a lifeline. Councils are expected to be agile, responsive, and visionary—but are they equipped to be any of those things?
This isn’t about blame. It’s about bravery.
Over the course of today, we’ll hear from disruptors and defenders, reformers and realists. We’ll explore the tension between legacy systems and new ideas, between risk and responsibility. We’ll ask: What does genuine reform look like? Who gets to lead it? And what happens when institutions resist the very change they claim to champion?
Let this be a space for honesty, imagination, and action. Because if councils are to serve the future, they must be willing to rethink the present.
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WHO ATTENDS
Times are displayed in BST
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08:55 AM - 09:40 AM
AI in Action
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant promise—it’s here, reshaping how public services are designed, delivered, and experienced. From predictive analytics in social care to chatbots in citizen engagement, AI is unlocking new possibilities for efficiency, personalization, and impact. But with opportunity comes complexity.
This panel brings together public sector innovators, technologists, policy leaders, and ethics experts to explore how AI is being deployed across councils and government agencies—and what it means for the future of public service. We’ll examine:- Real-world case studies of AI in planning, health, housing, and customer service
- The challenges of data governance, transparency, and algorithmic bias
- How to build trust and accountability in AI-powered systems
- What skills, infrastructure, and leadership are needed to scale responsibly
This is a conversation about action—not abstraction. Join us to explore how the public sector can harness AI not just to automate, but to elevate the way we serve our communities. -
09:50 AM - 10:35 AM
Improving public engagement with tech
Technology has the power to transform public services—but only if the public is truly part of the journey. From online consultations and digital service delivery to AI-driven decision-making, tech is reshaping how councils interact with communities. Yet digital divides, mistrust, and low engagement threaten to leave many behind.
This panel brings together civic technologists, council leaders, community advocates, and digital inclusion experts to explore how the public sector can foster meaningful engagement with technology. We’ll examine:
- Strategies for inclusive design and co-creation with residents
- Tackling digital exclusion and building confidence across diverse communities
- Transparency, ethics, and trust in emerging technologies
- How to turn digital tools into platforms for empowerment—not just efficiency
This is a conversation about people, not just platforms. Join us to explore how councils can lead with openness, empathy, and innovation—and ensure that tech serves everyone. -
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
The Bureaucracy Barrier: Institutional resistance and inertia
Change in the public sector is often met not with enthusiasm—but with paperwork, process, and pushback. Despite urgent calls for reform across housing, health, planning, and digital services, many councils and agencies find themselves tangled in a web of legacy systems, siloed departments, and risk-averse cultures. The result? Innovation stalls, talent disengages, and communities lose faith.
This panel brings together senior public servants, reform advocates, policy strategists, and frontline leaders to confront the realities of institutional resistance—and explore how to break through it. We’ll examine:
- The cultural and structural roots of bureaucratic inertia
- How internal politics, governance models, and compliance pressures shape decision-making
- Strategies for unlocking agility, accountability, and cross-sector collaboration
- Real-world examples of councils that have challenged the status quo—and what others can learn
This is a conversation about courage, not just compliance. Join us as we ask: What does it take to move from slow systems to responsive institutions—and who’s willing to lead the charge? -
11:40 AM - 12:25 PM
Culture Shift: Leadership, diversity, and change-making
Culture isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a driver. In the public sector, where tradition often outweighs transformation, shifting culture is one of the most powerful—and most difficult—acts of leadership. As councils and agencies face rising demands for equity, representation, and innovation, the question is clear: How do we lead change from within?
This panel brings together senior leaders, emerging changemakers, DEI strategists, and community voices to explore what it takes to build inclusive, adaptive, and values-driven public institutions. We’ll examine:- The role of leadership in challenging norms and fostering psychological safety
- Strategies for embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into everyday practice—not just policy
- How to empower staff at all levels to be agents of change
- Real-world examples of councils that have shifted culture—and what others can learn
This is a conversation about courage, accountability, and the future of public service. Join us as we explore how culture change isn’t a side project—it’s the foundation for everything that follows.