The UK Government has unveiled a bold vision for the future with its Building Back Britain initiative, aimed at driving economic growth, sustainability, and community development. This ambitious plan focuses on achieving net zero targets through significant investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
With a commitment to expand transport and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, the initiative includes a £500 million investment to build 300,000 public chargers by 2030 and modernise rail and public transport systems.
At the heart of this initiative is a strong emphasis on skills development, with Skills England and vocational training playing a crucial role. The Government has also set an ambitious housing target of 1.5 million new homes, with a focus on affordable housing and brownfield developments to regenerate towns and communities.
Public Sector Executive’s Building Back Britain Online Conference, hosted by Tanya Arnold, provides a platform to explore these transformative projects. The conference features keynote speakers and expert panel discussions that delve into the opportunities, challenges, and strategies needed to turn this vision into reality.
Opening the conference with a keynote speech was Councillor Avril Lekau's. As the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment, and Transport at the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Avril shared insights into the role of local councils in achieving net zero targets. She also highlighted Greenwich's impressive progress, including a 29% reduction in operational emissions since 2019 and significant investments in sustainable transport infrastructure.
Avril emphasised the importance of collaboration between local authorities and the Government in tackling the climate crisis, also expressing her excitement about the Great British Energy initiative, which supports local energy generation projects through its local power plan. By working in partnership, councils can protect future generations from the climate crisis and position the UK as a leading green energy superpower.
Transport and EV infrastructure
As the world pivots towards sustainable mobility, the UK is making significant strides in developing its transport and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
In the second panel discussion of the conference, PSE brought together a panel of experts to discuss the challenges and innovations in this rapidly evolving field. Our guests include Roubinah Essop-Burns from London Councils, Shamala Evans-Gadgill from Coventry City Council, Daniel Gosbee from Lincolnshire County Council, and Neil Clarke from Nottinghamshire County Council. Each bringing a unique perspective from their respective regions, highlighting the diverse challenges and solutions in urban and rural settings.
In London, the primary hurdle is providing access to off-street charging units. Roubinah Essop-Burns outlined the difficulties faced by residents in tower blocks and the innovative cross-pavement solutions being piloted to address these issues. Meanwhile, in Coventry, Shamala Evans-Gadgill discussed the mix of urban and suburban challenges, including the cost disparities between home and public charging and the city's extensive charging network.
For rural Lincolnshire, Daniel Gosbee pointed out the significant challenge of grid connectivity and the seasonal nature of the visitor economy, which complicates private sector investment in EV infrastructure. He emphasised the importance of strategic planning and the need to support rural communities in adopting electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.
Neil Clark shared Nottinghamshire's collaborative project to roll out EV infrastructure across multiple counties, highlighting the importance of site selection and grid connections. The discussion also touched on the potential role of hydrogen vehicles, with the consensus being that while EVs remain the current focus, hydrogen may have a future role, particularly for larger vehicles.
Education and skills
For the second leaders debate of the conference, panellists tackled the pressing issue of education and skills development in the context of regional prosperity. As the UK continues to strive for economic growth, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, the role of education cannot be overstated.
Joining delegates for this session was Dave Burn from Frontline Consulting, Penny Syddall from Dorset Council, and Johnathon Cuthbertson from Essex County Council. Together, they delved into the strategies local authorities can adopt to prepare for the upcoming Skills England initiative and the importance of aligning with national agendas.
Penny Syddall kicked off the discussion by highlighting the significance of digital skills in today's economy. She emphasised the need for local authorities to start building programmes that cater to the digital needs of the future. With initiatives like the Local Skills Improvement Plan in place, Dorset is already making strides in creating partnerships between educational institutions and businesses to address local skill requirements.
Johnathon Cuthbertson echoed these sentiments, pointing out that 2025 will be a pivotal year for partnerships with Skills England. He stressed the importance of consistency in government support to allow businesses to plan effectively. Essex County Council is focusing on green skills and sustainability, ensuring that their local skills improvement plans are robust and future-proof.
Dave Burn provided an outsider's perspective, noting the challenges and opportunities that new government initiatives present. He underscored the importance of drawing on past experiences and utilising new opportunities to address skill shortages, particularly in sectors like social care.
The discussion also touched on the role of devolution in enabling more regionalised approaches to skills development. By working together with neighbouring councils and leveraging shared resources, local authorities can create more cohesive and effective strategies.
Regeneration of communities and towns
In our ever-evolving world, the regeneration of communities and towns has become a focal point for local governments and leaders.
Through the next session, Councillor Denise Jeffery, Chair of the Place Regeneration and Housing Committee for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Millie Mitchell, a researcher at the Institute for Government, and Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, Housing and Economy Lead for the City of Edinburgh Council come together to share their insights.
As Millie Mitchell highlighted, local leaders are uniquely positioned to make decisions that are tailored to their communities' needs. This approach not only fosters economic growth but also transforms neighbourhoods for the better. The discussion explores how Metro mayors can leverage devolved funding, strategic planning, and collaboration with local stakeholders to achieve these goals.
Councillor Denise Jeffery shared her experience with the mayoral system in West Yorkshire, emphasising the unity it has brought to the region. She noted that the collaborative approach under the leadership of Mayor Tracy Brabin has been transformational, allowing for more effective marketing and funding opportunities. The concept of 'Team West Yorkshire' has enabled councils to work together rather than compete, leading to significant progress in housing and regeneration efforts.
Meanwhile, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron provided insights into Edinburgh's approach to urban regeneration, despite not having a mayoral system. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between councils and the integration of public transport systems to enhance connectivity and attract investment. The discussion also touchedf on the challenges faced by rural communities and the need for equitable resource distribution.
As the conversation unfolded, the panellists addressed the future trajectory of devolution and regeneration. Mitchell expressed optimism that the current devolution efforts will continue, regardless of potential changes in government. The panel concluded with a focus on the importance of green and blue infrastructure in connecting communities and promoting sustainable development.
Planning and building homes
As the UK government works towards it target of building 1.5 million new homes in the next five years, the challenge of providing affordable housing has never been more pressing. In the final panel discussion, PSE brought together another panel of experts to discuss the complexities and potential solutions for achieving these targets.
Panellists included Councillor David Beavan from East Suffolk Council, Councillor Tom Renhard from Bristol City Council, Councillor Darren Sanders from Portsmouth City Council, Councillor Adam Hug from the Local Government Association, and Andrew Van Doorn, Chief Executive of HACT.
One of the key topics discussed was the concept of 'hope value,' where land prices skyrocket once planning permission is granted. This phenomenon poses a significant barrier to affordable housing, as it inflates costs and limits the availability of land for development. The panellists explored how abolishing hope value could potentially reduce housing costs by up to £80,000 per unit, making homes more accessible to the average family.
Another promising solution raised by the panel was modular construction, which offers a faster and potentially more cost-effective way to build homes. Councillor Tom Renard shared insights from Bristol's experience with modular housing schemes, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of this innovative approach. However, as the market for modular construction is still maturing, there are risks involved, such as providers going bust, which can derail projects.
Strategic planning and infrastructure development are also crucial in meeting housing targets. Panellists stressed the importance of a joined-up approach that considers not just the number of homes but also the infrastructure needed to support new communities. This includes transportation, healthcare, schools, and community centres, all of which are vital for creating thriving, sustainable neighbourhoods.
The role of devolution is another significant theme in the discussion. By granting more powers and responsibilities to local authorities and mayors, the government aims to unlock regional potential and drive housing development. Councillor Darren Sanders and Councillor Tom Renard shared their experiences with devolution, highlighting the benefits of having a strategic focus and the ability to influence planning decisions at a local level.
In order to hear all of the key insights from the panellists across all the discussions, and gain expert knowledge in some of the most pressing issues in the public sector, watch the conference on demand here.
