Future of Shropshire’s public services is focus of conference

The recently-elected Police and Crime Commissioner will be among the speakers at the Shropshire Partnership standing conference on Tuesday 4 December 2012.

The event will discuss how partners are currently working together to make Shropshire a safe, healthy and economically vibrant county and more importantly, how organisations can help shape the partnership for the future.

Speakers will be talking about how public services are changing in the face of huge national spending reductions to ensure the best outcomes for local people.

The conference will provide an opportunity to explore this changing context, learning from recent experience and to shape the Shropshire Partnership’s priorities for the next three years and beyond.

In 2009, following extensive consultation with partners and the public, the Partnership set out a bold vision of a “Flourishing Shropshire” – a place with a strong economy and vibrant market towns; healthy, safe and confident communities; leading the response to climate change and enhancing the natural and built environment.

A lot has changed since 2009, and all public services are having to change the way they deliver services, meaning more than reducing duplication and waste, but doing things in very different ways.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for partnership working, said:

“It’s important for organisations with a stake in the public sector to get together at events like this to really make a difference to the services that we provide for people.  I hope as many organisations as possible take the opportunity to come along.”

The guest speaker will be West Mercia’s new Police and Crime Commissioner, Bill Longmore, who will outline his priorities for tackling crime across the West Mercia area.

He said:

“I am pleased to be able to attend the conference, and I’m looking forward to discussing how we can work together to help reduce crime, as well as how we can provide more opportunities for people to flourish instead of being tempted to commit offences, such as anti-social behaviour.”

The conference will take place on Tuesday 4 December 2012, from 9.30am to 4pm, at the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury.

The event is free to attend and some places are still available.  If you have not already reserved your place, email charlotte.green@shropshire.gov.uk by the end of Friday 30 November.

If you can’t make it but would like to keep up to date, there will be a live twitter feed running throughout the day – follow @ShropPship.