APRIL 2008

Sir Chris Clarke to chair Meeting Place Advisory Board

Public consultation and political engagement consultancy Meeting Place Communications has appointed Sir Christopher Clarke OBE to chair its new advisory board.

Chris has had a distinguished career in local and national politics.   Chris' roles have included vice Deputy Chairman of the Local Government Association, Chairman of the South West Regional Assembly and Leader of Somerset County Council.   He is currently chair of the South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust and an advisor to the DCLG.

With the advisory board, Chris will provide advice on company development and in particular effective community consultation.

'I am delighted to be joining Meeting Place Communications' said Chris.   'They are a rapidly growing business with an exciting future. I'm very impressed with their approach and their growing customer base.'

Ian Thorn, Director of Meeting Place Communications said: 'I am thrilled that Chris has agreed to join us.   He has enormous experience at the highest levels of guiding organisations and providing expert advice.'

Business breakfast with Lembit Opik MP at Westminster

Meeting Place Communications has organised a special business breakfast at the Marriot Hotel, County Hall, Westminster with Lembit Opik MP on Tuesday 13th May 2008.

Lembit is the Liberal Democrat spokesman for housing in the House of Commons. He is, of course, also
a regular guest on Have I Got News for You, took part in Sports Relief does the Apprentice and also dates one of the Cheeky Girls.

Lembit will be speaking about the challenge of engaging communities on development proposals, the likely impact of the Planning Bill and his personal take on Parliament and politics.

The breakfast starts at 8.30 am in the Library, Marriott County Hall.

If you would like to book a place, please email annasabine@meetingplacecommunications.com or call Anna on 01225 422243.

MARCH 2008

'New Planning Role Presents a Challenge for Regional Democracy’ says RDA Board Member |
READ MORE ...

DECEMBER 2007

Baroness Barker joins the team

Baroness Liz Barker has joined Meeting Place as a consultant.   From her position in the House of Lords Liz will be providing advice and support to the company.   In particular, Baroness Barker will be launching a review of public consultation best practice in the UK.   What works, what doesn't and why.   We hope that the Review (not The Barker Review!) will be launched in January and report in the spring.

Liz will also be advising on legislation and helping with our training programme.

Liz Barker, born in 1961, was created a Life Peer in 1999. She attended Dalziel High School in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland, and after going to Broadway School in Oldham went on to Southampton University.

She is a member of various party policy working groups, including those on the Future of Social Services, Liberal Democracy, Freedom and Fairness for Women, and An Age of Opportunity. She is also a member of the ACCTS trade union.

In November 2004, Liz became Spokesperson on Health for the Liberal Democrats in the Lords.

Liz is a Trustee to the Andy Lawson Memorial Fund, and her other special interests include health, social services, the problems of ageing, poverty and civil liberties.

Planting for school playgroup

Our good deed for Christmas is a donation of £250 to St Andrew's Primary School in Bath.   The school, in the heart of the city, has a range of children from all sections of the community and from throughout the world.   One of the major projects this year has been the design and construction of a new play area in the school's court yard.

What the school needed was some cash for plants.   We were happy to help.

Anna joins the team

Meeting Place Communications has a new member of the team from January.   Anna Dunning joins on 7th January. Anna has a degree in PPE from Oxford University and has worked extensively in politics and the private sector.  

'I'm delighted that Anna has agreed to join us.   We only recruit members to our team if they have real experience and the ability to deliver for our clients' said Ian.   'I have no doubt Anna will make a major impact.'

 

OCTOBER 2007

Meeting Place launches opinion research at Labour conference

Iain Wright MP

We used the opportunity of the Labour party conference in Bournemouth to launch the first annual survey of public opinion into attitudes to public consultation, planning and local politicians.   Supported by HouseBuilder magazine, speakers included Iain Wright MP, the Planning Minister, Cllr Ross Willmot, leader of Leicester city council, Stewart Baseley, chairman of the HBF and Gareth Capner, senior partner, Barton Willmore.   The report showed a higher than anticipated number of people had been consulted on both planning and non-planning issues and there was also quite a high number of respondents who had met their local councillor.   However, many felt that their views had not been listened to and others criticised the levels of feedback following consultation.

Issues raised included the clear pattern that those most likely to have been consulted were those from the highest social/ economic groups.

For a copy of the report, call Ian Thorn on 07779 293169.

 

Don having his cake and eating it

Don opens Bath office

Bath MP Don Foster opened the new Meeting Place offices earlier this month.   The new offices in Gay Street, Bath provide meeting facilities and plenty of room to grow.

The opening was well attended with a mixture of clients and local consultants.