The Future of UK Infrastructure Delivery and the Levelling-Up Agenda

• Following an introduction from the Chair we’ll be kicking off this live, face to face event with interactive icebreakers designed to encourage early introductions ahead of further networking throughout the day.
• Get to know fellow colleagues and participants and share your key learning objectives for the day.
• Share your thoughts and ideas through live polling and comments using our interactive platform
• Expect lots of interactivity with this being a brilliant opportunity to interact, network and learn from your peers in a safe, face to face environment

• Outlining the IPA’s Roadmap to 2030, and how it impacts local economic growth by encouraging place-based regeneration and driving improved outcomes for people and nature
• Highlighting the role of infrastructure projects in place-based regeneration following the Covid-19 pandemic and driving the Levelling Up agenda through larger projects such as HS2
• Sharing how balancing optimisation of the existing built environment with new economic infrastructure can support you in achieving net zero
• Examining how the delivery of infrastructure projects is evolving, including the recent focus on project speed

This session will include time for audience Q&A

As government’s independent auditor, the National Audit Office has a statutory role to assess how well government spends taxpayers’ money. As such, it considers a range of government infrastructure projects with recent reports on Crossrail, affordable homes, and delivering at speed (among others). Through this work, the NAO has built a back catalogue of case studies and insights. This session aims to draw from recent examples  to share the NAO’s perspectives on the risks to infrastructure projects not realising the benefits, and wider value, they can and should do. It will touch on risks, for example, around clarity of outcomes and delivering quickly to provide foundation to her practitioners challenge their own thinking on whether have right foundations in place.

This session will include time for audience Q&A.

• Sharing best practice for planning infrastructure projects that expand the economy and serve local needs
• Highlighting the need for effective partnership working in order to identify projects that maximise the benefits of network effects in infrastructure
• Examining the role of social infrastructure and upskilling in driving economic growth

• Examining the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the human capital requirements of infrastructure projects
• Highlighting how infrastructure projects can be used to drive upskilling and workforce development to boost local economies
• Discussing the workforce requirements of local infrastructure development, and the role of external partners in meeting these needs

Long-term, collaboratively developed infrastructure strategies that draw on local strengths provide a framework for local growth and development. During this session, the NIC will discuss the impact of effective long-term infrastructure strategies on local economic growth.

Oxfordshire’s Digital Infrastructure Programme consists of 6 projects across different areas and infrastructure categories. By working in partnership with commercial providers, Oxfordshire County Council are able to integrate other public sector projects with the Digital Infrastructure Programme, such as integrating upgraded street furniture with IoT deployment.  This session will provide key insights into:

• How to plan and implement a long-term strategy for improving digital infrastructure that supports local people and businesses
• Best practice for working with commercial partners to deliver widespread improvements to local infrastructure alongside public sector projects
• The impact of the Digital Infrastructure Programme’s focus on enterprise zones and business parks on local economic growth

• Examining the impact of the Energy Security Strategy on energy infrastructure projects
• Sharing best practice for local infrastructure projects that support the Energy Security Strategy and can help local authorities reach Net Zero
• Discussing how to develop partnerships to accelerate energy infrastructure projects

*programme subject to change