Programme
| Day One: The System of Government On Day One the plenary will focus on the system of government in Scotland. This will incorporate an in-depth analysis of the major administrative and legislative centres – the government, the parliament, civil service and local government. Delegates will learn how each of these institutions works and how they interface which each other. Combined, the presentations will familiarise the plenary with the system of government as a whole and be cognisant of the impact of the nation’s first majority administration and the impact that will have. The day will end with a presentation on Scotland’s relationship with Westminster. 08:45 - Registration and refreshments 09:30 - Welcome and introduction from the Chair Rt Hon. Henry McLeish, Former First Minister of Scotland Session One: The Political Landscape As one of the architects of devolution, and as a former First Minister of Scotland, Henry McLeish is well placed to look at what the next generation of Scottish politicians might hope to achieve. By any measure, the Scottish Parliament is still in its infancy and it must continue to work hard to engage with the people it represents and aspires to help. As event chair, Henry will guide the plenary through a succession of presentations which will provide delegates with a clear understanding of how Scotland’s systems of government work. 09:40 - The political landscape Professor Richard Kerley, Professor of Management, Queen Margaret University
10:10 - Questions to Professor Kerley 10:30 - The Scottish Parliament Paul Grice, Clerk and Chief Executive, The Scottish Parliament
10:55 - Questions to Paul Grice 11:15 - The Role of an MSP David McLetchie MSP, Justice Spokesperson, Scottish Conservatives Explaining what MSPs do:
11:35 - Questions to David McLetchie 11:50 - Refreshments Session Two: The Scottish Government 12:10 - Structure of the Scottish Government Tim Ellis, Head of Cabinet and Corporate Business Secretariat, The Scottish Government
12:45 - Questions to Tim Ellis 13:00 - Lunch Session Three: Local Government and Westminster 13:45 - Relationship with local government Rory Mair, Chief Executive, COSLA
14:25 - Questions to Rory Mair 14:55 - Relationship with Westminster Lee Bridges, Former Committee and Chamber Clerk, PPS to the Presiding Officer and Head of Strategy at Holyrood, now working at the House of Commons
15:25 - Questions to Lee Bridges 15:45 - Closing remarks from the Chair 15:50 - Close of day one 16:30 - Drinks reception (to be confirmed) Day Two: Policy and Engagement Day Two will focus on the legislative process and learning how to better engage with the varied institutions discussed on Day One. Throughout the day delegates will learn how policy is made and how they can attempt to ensure that during the policy making process their voice is heard. 08:45 - Registration and refreshments 09:25 - Welcome and introduction from the Chair Hon Henry McLeish, Former First Minister of Scotland Session One: Government Appointed Commissions Scotland’s Parliament was designed so that people from across the political spectrum and the wider community could play a part in its decision making process. In this session delegates will learn exactly how to do go about interacting with the nation’s seat of government, in both personal and professional capacities. 09:30 - Commissions Dr. Alison Elliot OBE, Convenor SCVO and Member of the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services Bill Howat, Chair of The 'Howat' Review, The Budget Performance Review for the Scottish Executive 2007 Before settling on policy and introducing legislation, successive governments have relied on specially appointed commissions to conduct thorough reviews on specific policy areas. The findings often inform subsequent policy making and legislative programmes. Most recent examples of this sort of process include the Independent Budget Report, otherwise known as the Beveridge report, and the Commission on Public Services, otherwise known as the Christie review.
10:10 - Questions and discussion 10:40 - Refreshments Session Two: Engaging with the Parliament One of the major challenges faced by organisations whose role demands an interface with Scotland’s parliamentarians is establishing exactly how that can best be achieved. The parliament was designed with access and accountability in mind, and there are mechanisms in place to provide individuals, representative bodies, charities and companies the opportunity to engage with and contribute to relevant debates. How can you go about doing this in your role, and what other avenues are there available to you? 11:00 - Engaging with the Parliament John Macgill, Director, Morhamburn John Edward, Director, Scottish Council of Independent Schools
12:00 - Questions and discussion 12:45 - Lunch Session Three: Engaging with Local Government and the Civil Service 13:30 - Local government Donald Anderson, Director, PPS Scotland
14:00 - Civil service Alastair Ross, Director of Public Policy, McGrigors LLP and Convenor of The Association for Scottish Public Affairs
14:30 - Questions and discussion 15:00 - Refreshments Session Four: The Media 15:20 - Dealing with the media The closing session will provide delegates with a unique chance to hear from leading media operators some practical tips and guidance on how to engage with media outlets and ensure that your organisation knows the industry ‘do’s and don’ts’. The panel of contributors are all experts in their respective fields and will ensure that delegates leave the event well versed in the most effective techniques for communicating their organisational goals and achievements. Panel discussion involving: Mandy Rhodes, Editor, Holyrood Magazine Michael Crow, Head of UK Regional Public Affairs, RBS Colin Mackay, Political Editor, Media Scotland Charles Fletcher MBE, Editor, Caledonia Media also Chair and Parliamentary Correspondent, SCB Network Further speakers to be confirmed 16:20 - Closing remarks from the Chair 16:25 - Conference ends |
|
Keynote speakers
Former First Minister of Scotland
Professor of Management, Queen Margaret University
Clerk and Chief Executive, The Scottish Parliament
Head of Cabinet and Corporate Business Secretariat, The Scottish
Government
Chief Executive, COSLA