How to manage political and financial challenges ahead

What next for equality in public services in light of possible political changes, financial cutbacks and the Equality Bill set to become law?

This will be the big question debated at Edge Hill University's Centre for Local Policy Studies third annual summer school - Reflecting Back, Looking Forwards: The Challenges Ahead for Public Policy and Community Empowerment in a New Political Era. It is to be held from21^st to 23^rd June at Wychwood Park Hotel in Crewe as part of the University's 125^th anniversary celebrations Shaping Futures.

With a general election just around the corner, any changes in political leadership are likely to have a big impact on public services.

This popular three-day conference will look at the effects of such change, not just on those employed to work and manage public service delivery but also the people who depend on them.

A stellar line-up of guest speakers and presenters will lead the debate covering such critical matters as the impact on community involvement and empowerment, on equality and human rights and social justice,  and on managing change and resources - understanding practically what needs to be done and what needs to be challenged.

Keynote speakers include:

• Barry Quirk, Chief Executive of Lewisham Council and author of the Quirk Review;
• Sir Bert Massie, former Chair of the Disability Rights Commission and founding commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission;
• Katie Ghose, Director of the British Institute of Human Rights;
• Rob Berkeley, Chief Executive of the Runnymede Trust;
• Salma Yaqoob, Leader of the Respect Party and Birmingham City Councillor
• Rob Whiteman, Head of the Improvement and Development Agency;
• Karen Chouhan of Equanomics UK;
• Professor John Diamond from the Centre for Local Policies Studies.

Delegates will also have a unique chance to explore the key issues and solutions to managing change effectively in a post election and post Equality Bill era in an open public debate at 2pm on 21^st June.

Nasreen Kaleem, organiser of the summer school and who is based at the CLPS, said: "The times ahead for local government and public services in general are going to be challenging, with many facing millions of pounds of cutbacks in public sector spending.  At the same time, the implications of the Equality Bill and other public policy measures mean that it will be the public sector and their business partners at the forefront of squaring the equality and human rights circle and it will undoubtedly affect some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded communities in the UK.

"It is absolutely right to come together to examine what the real issues are and which are likely to affect all of us going into the next decade. We want to encourage as wide a representation of voices as possible at this event to debate all the issues."

To attend the full summer school is £360, which includes accommodation and the public debate. For the public debate alone it is £55. Other rates are also available for those who can't all dates of the summer school. There are also some substantially reduced costs for voluntary sector, low waged, trade union and students. For more information or to book your place on either the summer school or the public debate, please visit the website www.clps.org.uk or contact Carole Brocken on 01695 584765 or email brockenc@edgehill.ac.uk.