MORE than 1,600 leaders and decision makers will converge on Liverpool this week as the City hosts the Local Government Association's (LGA) Annual Conference for the 1st time.

The 3-day event at ACC Liverpool will involve more than 400 speakers at around 100 events. Further fringe events will take place across the City.

The conference, which starts tomorrow, is an opportunity for the City region to showcase its latest developments, innovations and leadership to the top levels of local government.

UK Ministers will also be in the City for the conference, as Liverpool continues to deepen its status as 1 of the UK’s major event capitals.

Last month the City leapfrogged Manchester, Belfast and Cambridge to become the 4th most successful in the UK for attracting major international conferences and will this September host the Labour Party Conference for the 3rd year running.

This year’s LGA Annual Conference comes just weeks after the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review and as the Government embarks on the biggest shake-up of local government in the last 50 years.

Conference plenaries and keynote sessions will debate key policy priorities such as the forthcoming NHS 10-year plan, Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform, housing, adults’ and children’s social care, and devolution and local government reorganisation.

As host City, Liverpool City Council leader Cllr Liam Robinson will deliver a welcome speech to delegates.

Mayor Rotheram, Knowsley Council leader Cllr Graham Morgan, Sefton Council Leader Cllr Marion Atkinson and directors from the Combined Authority and the City region’s 6 local authorities will also be speaking on topics including devolution, innovation zones, AI, North Liverpool regeneration, affordable housing, the award-winning BeMore careers portal and public service innovation.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- “Having the LGA Conference here in our City region is a real vote of confidence in everything we’ve been working towards. It’s a chance to show the rest of the country what devolution done differently looks like – working with our councils and ensuring local leaders are trusted with the powers and resources to make a real difference in their communities. We’ve got big ambitions for our region – whether it’s building a fairer economy, leading the way in clean innovation, or giving people the chance to succeed. I’m proud that we’re being seen as a place that’s not only delivering – but leading the way on how local government can work better for the people it serves.”

Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, said:- “We’re delighted to be hosting the LGA Conference here in Liverpool at a key moment for local government. The conference offers an opportunity for us to engage with our peers on how we take forward discussions with the Government about the recent Comprehensive Spending Review, the ongoing Fair Funding Review, and the benefits of increased devolution. Together with Mayor Steve Rotheram and our colleagues at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, we will also be showcasing our ambition for the City, particularly around innovation and our plans to create a new town in Liverpool North.”