Leaders from a range of local government disciplines came together at a conference to consider how place fits at a time of rapid change, and to lay out their future priorities. Ann McGauran reports

The huge health, economic and societal challenge of the pandemic has focused minds on the complexity and interconnectivity of local services. Sector experts speaking at a conference from across a swathe of council directorates have made it clear that recovery from crisis and dealing with the biggest hurdles ahead will not happen without collaboration in local places.