The East Midland Branch of CIHT continued with its successful programme of annual conferences by delivering the 2014 conference on 11 September at Cambridge Union Society.
The theme focused on the rapid resurgence in capital expenditure on infrastructure and how the highways sector is positioned to meet that demand.
Speakers provided insights into addressing the challenges of winning work and meeting the operational timetable alongside learning lessons from colleagues in the rail sector on how the extended autonomy benefits delivery. Delegates were also given insight into the workings of the LEPs and how they are contributing to the decision making processes on major funding opportunities with local examples. Conference attendees received updates on Action for Roads and how it is being implemented alongside local progress that the eastern region is benefiting from though adoption of the HMEP. They also heard about the initial findings of the Governments review of network resilience following the adverse weather last winter.
The President of CIHT discussed CIHT's new Manifesto in advance of the General Election and this was followed by a formal debate:
'This House believes the current emphasis on capital investment in public sector infrastructure alongside an ever tightening squeeze on regular maintenance is the right approach in the current financial circumstances'.
The final debate result went in favour of the 'nos'!
The conference included a number of exhibitor from a variety of industry suppliers and specialists.
A number of delegates took the opportunity to have a short tour of Cambridge Union Society and discovered the history of the CUS and its role of Honour of world renowned speakers at past debates.
Sponsors:
The conference was sponsored by:
Venue:
The conference took place at:
The Cambridge Union Society
9a Bridge Street
Cambridge CB2 1UB
Programme:
08.30 Arrival, Registration & Coffee
Morning Session:
09.30 Morning Chair / Welcome & Introduction - Gwyn Drake, Chairman, East Midland Branch, CIHT
09.35 Keynote Address - Making the Journey - David Gibby, President, Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation
09.55 The Challenges of Growth in the Construction Sector - Tony Gates, Director for New Business – Balfour Beatty
10.20 Cambridge City Deal and the benefits gained through the Greater Cambridgeshire & Greater Peterborough LEP - Graham Hughes, Executive Director, Economy Transport & Environment, Cambridgeshire County Council
10.45 Comfort Break
11.15 Action for Roads - Transforming the Highways Agency in a Government owned company - Catherine Brookes, Regional Director, Highways Agency
11.40 "Adapting to life in the 'fast history' lane" - What could the future of technology hold in assisting us keep ahead in financial and asset planning? - David May, Solutions Consultant (Construction & Infrasructure), Causeway Technology
12.05 HMEP - What Has Been Achieved in our region? - Andrew Guttridge, HMEP Regional Advocate
12.30 Q&A
12.45 Lunch (During the lunch break their will also be the opportunity to visit exhibitors/sponsors and the venue will also offer a conducted tour of Cambridge Union Society. Limited places are available on this tour and are allocated on a first come first served basis on the day)
Afternoon Session:
14.00 Welcome Back - David Gibby, President, CIHT and Afternoon Chair
14.05 Resilience of the Transport Network to Extreme Weather Events - Brian Smith, Member of the Independent Panel of the Government Review
14.30 Debate – This House believes the current emphasis on capital investment in public sector infrastructure alongside an ever tightening squeeze on regular maintenance is the right approach in the current financial circumstances - Mike Bordiss, Chair of Debate
Proposer - John Amos, John Amos Consultancy and Seconder - Justin Ward, CIHT
Opposer - Lila Tachtsi, Atkins and Second Opposer - Steve Ashley, Chair, HTMA Service Delivery Working Group
15.45 Debate Result - Mike Bordiss, Chair of Debate
16.00 Q&A
16.30 Summing Up - Gwyn Drake, Chairman, East Midland Branch, CIHT
16.45 Close
Who attended:
• Public and private sector Clients including both local and central government
• Senior staff from Consultants and contractors and junior employees seeking professional review
• CIHT members and non-members
• Procurement specialists and supply chain managers
• Transport industry stakeholders
• Retired members wishing to continue their professional association
Benefits gained from attending:
• To hear current updates on industry position and future prospects
• Professionals seeking CPD
• Networking opportunities and information gathering on new developments from exhibitors
• To enhance their understanding and engagement with CIHT and its branch structure
Speaker Presentations:
If you are a CIHT member, please sign into your member 'MyCIHT' area where speaker presentations have been uploaded as pdf's into the conference presentations section.
Enquiries:
E: conferences@ciht.org.uk
t: 020 7336 1570
Got a question?
t: +44 (0)20 7336 1555
e: info@ciht.org.uk