‘The right conditions for growth are forged by the public sector’
ADEPT welcomes new President
Rupert Clubb starts his term as the new President of ADEPT, the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport this week.
The new President wants to highlight the public sector’s role as a catalyst for private sector investment and is asking Government to capitalise on local authorities’ experience and expertise in delivering sustainable economic growth.
Stepping up from his role as ADEPT’s Vice-President, Rupert said: “Communities cannot function without the services ADEPT members provide. We deliver the conditions for growth and prosperity and we know what our communities need to prosper.
“Over the coming year ADEPT will capitalise on the knowledge and experience of its members up and down the country to work with Government and private sector partners to increase employment and housing opportunity.”
A Chartered Civil Engineer, Rupert has been the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport for East Sussex County Council since June 2007.
Before joining East Sussex County Council, Rupert was with the Environment Agency, where he held a number of roles as a flood and coastal risk manager through to senior management. He also chaired the ADEPT Environment Board.
Rupert continued: “This year promises to be a fast changing environment and ADEPT is the link between place shaping Directors, communities, business and Government. This unique position is why we can make a significant contribution to shaping policy.
“We have already proved our ability to transform local government. With the support of our delivery partners across the private and public sector we will provide a clear, coherent approach to devolution and continued public sector reforms.”
One of Rupert’s key concerns for ADEPT’s coming year is to address the skills gap in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) sectors.
He explained: “Skills are a key consideration for local authorities across the country and there are many strong regional programmes making an impact in their areas. We are keen to share these examples of best practice with Government.
“We want to reinvigorate the skills agenda within the ADEPT membership and our supply chain partners to ensure that we develop a strong, workforce well-equipped to benefit from inward investment opportunities and supply skills to new and expanding businesses.”
Speaking about taking over from outgoing President Heather Barnes, Rupert said: “I’d like to thank Heather for her commitment and hard work over the past year. Under her leadership, ADEPT has strengthened its position with Government and become a more vocal advocate for placed based services, showcasing innovation, supporting calls for greater resilience and focussing on devolution.”
ADEPT is the voice of Local Authority county, unitary and metropolitan Strategic Place Directors across England with responsibility for the key place based services, including transport, environment, planning, economic development, housing and waste.
ENDS
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The ADEPT Prospectus Real Change In The Places We Live And Work can be downloaded at: http://www.adeptnet.org.uk/cms/files/prospectus/Policy Prospectus 2015.pdf
About ADEPT
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) represents local authority county, unitary and metropolitan Directors. Operating at the strategic tier of local government, members are responsible for delivering public services that primarily relate to the physical environment and the economy, but which have a significant impact on all aspects of the nation’s well-being. ADEPT represents members' interests by proactively engaging central Government on emerging policy & issues, promoting initiatives aimed at influencing Government policy and through the development of best practices and responding to European and UK Government initiatives and consultations.
For more information on ADEPT please visit the website: www.adeptnet.org.uk
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