ISPAL’s new Autumn Programme is now available. You will find it ready for downloading on the ISPAL website: just click here.

We have managed to stitch together the best of the past with many bright, fresh offerings - over 50 courses are in the programme, covering the landscape of our industry.

The Programme comes with an ISPAL Challenge! If you can’t find a course that is exciting, and right for you, then let us know and we will fix that gap in the Spring Programme, which is already in preparation. If you need courses delivered more locally to you, and your work, also let us know, and we will do what we can.

There are new courses, new tutors, new partners, new venues, new topics! Many are linked to the NOS. We expect to launch soon the new ISPAL Professional Qualification Scheme and that will then be reflected in the Spring Training Programme.

Let’s highlight one particular event in the Autumn Programme - the Culture Shock Seminar 2 October 2007 at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry; this takes a strategic look at how to achieve community-wide impact with cultural services.

The seminar opens with Bill Feinstein from the Department for Communities and Local Government, on the importance the White Paper places on community and neighbourhood development. Other key topics include:

Current thinking on the new Comprehensive Area Assessments (CAA) – Tricia Kilsby from the Audit Commission

Improving satisfaction perceptions - Jane Robinson of Ipsos MORI Restructuring – effective working in counties, districts and new unitaries – Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive at Shropshire County Council

Local Area Agreements – Andrew Ormston, Divisional Director at Lambeth LBC Value for money – Mick Cartledge, Director at Burnley Borough Council