Know your place! The case for whole place financial resilience

Norse Group’s Justin Galliford and Paul Pawa join esteemed panellists for a series of party conference discussions on financial resilience.

Throughout September and October, a series of lively discussions and fellowship dinners took place from Localis in partnership with Norse Group, CIPFA and the Local Government Chronicle.

Held as part of the Liberal Democrat, Labour, and Conservative party conferences, panel session “Know Your Place! The Case for Whole Place Financial Resilience,” focused on financial management and accountability as we anticipate the upcoming Spending Review. Local public finances are currently being managed with a short-term focus to restore stability and ensure thorough scrutiny.

Despite the significant challenges facing local government, there are also opportunities for long-term change and innovative transformations in public service delivery.

Paul Pawa, Group Strategic Development Director at Norse Group, reflected on the past three weeks of discussions: “There is a high level of trust in local government, and increasing fiscal devolution is vital for long-term resilience. The move towards multi-year settlements is critical for effective public service delivery, providing a reliable framework for long-term planning and partnerships.”

Norse Group CEO Justin Galliford emphasised the importance of understanding local contexts: “The pressures and strengths of each community must be recognised to achieve resilience and transformation. Conversations like these help us understand the specific challenges different areas face and how working together in partnership can enhance local services.”

Throughout the programme, a wealth of valuable conversations unfolded, engaging a range of perspectives from key figures across the three political parties, alongside colleagues from Norse Group, Localis, CIPFA, and the Local Government Chronicle, promoting a balanced and respectful dialogue on these critical issues.