Following the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) conference, I reflected on the importance of regularly connecting with my colleagues and like-minded professionals. Even short peer-to-peer conversations are enlightening and often perfect opportunities to analyse day- to-day issues from a different perspective – sometimes in a different environment. It was great to share ideas with new CIPFA president Sarah Howard while watching a certain football match.

My prime purpose at the conference was to chair the Society of District Treasurers’ workshop. It included a presentation from Grant Thornton on its work commissioned by the District Councils’ Network (DCN) on the transformation in localities toolkit.