Better Places

In our latest edition we were delighted to be joined by Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development. In a wide-ranging discussion, we cover the council’s newly announced Local List, the council’s sustainability approach particularly in relation to retrofit first vs demolition, and the approach regarding biodiversity net-gain and much more.

Cllr James Small Edwards, Labour candidate for the London Assembly seat of West Central joined Concilio for the latest edition of our Better Places podcast. Elected in 2022 as Labour won Westminster City Council for the first time, in the key swing ward of Bayswater, James is currently serving as WCC Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning. James was selected by Labour Party members to contest the marg...

Concilio’s Head of London Luke Francis is joined by the Brent's Cllr Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth. The pair review a hectic few months in property, planning and politics - discussing everything from the mounting challenges facing residential development across London and to local authorities look for in a good JV partner.

Concilio’s Managing Director Nick Dines sits down with the Co-Chairs of the London Housing Directors’Group, Joanne Drew, Strategic Director for Housing and Regeneration at Enfield Council and Jamie Carswell, Director of Housing and Safer Communities at the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Labour Party Conference Special: Concilio’s Luke Francis and Oscar Harman interview Westminster City Councillors Ellie Ormsby and James Small-Edwards about their experiences at Labour Party conference in Liverpool, their focus on housing and the first 18 months of Westminster’s Labour administration.  

Concilio’s Head of London Luke Francis is joined by the Leader of Barking & Dagenham Council Darren Rodwell. In a wide ranging conversation, the pair discusses how political vision and pragmatism have helped to transform one of the UK’s most deprived boroughs. Looking ahead to Labour Party Conference, Cllr Rodwell also discuss the reasons behind his decision to stand for Parliament and what he...

In this episode, Concilio's Katie Brown is joined by Colin Brown, Head of Planning and Development at Carter Jonas (or as she personally calls him, Dad!) to discuss the ambitious plans set forth by the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove aimed at supercharging Cambridge as Europe’s science capital. Is it an attainable vision, or does it remain a distant pipe...

In this episode, Nathan and Luke dive into a discussion on major political events. Our guests are two of the City of Westminster's most senior councillors: Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, and Cllr Tim Roca, Cabinet Member for Young People, Culture, and Learning. Together, they reflect on their first year in office and share insights about what is com...

Nathan and Luke touch on the fall out from the May 23 local election results and how housing is becoming an election issue. Luke then interviews Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of Greenwich to discuss delivering homes in an increasingly challenging development environment, the importance of engaging residents and challenging NIMBYism and abseiling down 17 story buildings for charity!

Concilio’s Katie Brown is joined by Claire Flowers, Head of Housing Development Agency at Cambridge City Council to discuss how the public and private sector can work together on housing delivery.

In this episode, Nathan and Luke are joined by Islington’s Cllr Diarmaid Ward – Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance. They discuss - responding to post-Covid ways of living and working in inner London, why development policy ‘red lines’ matter in Islington and Innovative approaches to delivering for local residents. 

Concilio's Managing Director Nick Dines is joined by Simon Ricketts, Partner at Town Legal the leading planning law firm in the UK. The two discuss the Government’s proposed planning reforms, planning law evolution, the establishment of Town Legal, fire safety regulations and Simon’s top three desert island discs!

In the first podcast of 2023, Nathan and Luke focus on the politics of tackling the housing crisis. Featuring an in-depth interview with Dr Nick Bowes, Chief Executive of Centre for London, formerly Mayoral Director of Policy at the Greater London Authority. 

Nathan & Luke discuss the latest national developments on planning reform. In the final episode of the 2022 they are joined by the first ever directly elected Mayor of Croydon - Mayor Jason Perry - to discuss Croydon's financial challenges, why he went into politics, what he would like to see from developers and the local plan. 

Concilio's very own Cambs and South Cambs expert Katie Brown focuses on the growing Life Sciences sector - in conversation with two experts in the field  - Guy Kaddish, Head of Cambridge Planning at Bidwells and Max Bryan Head of Science & Technology at Bidwells.

Nathan & Luke discuss the latest political developments, London parliamentary selections and are joined by Cllr Cem Kemahli - Lead Member for Planning, Place and Environment in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea to talk about planning and development in the Royal Borough. 

As well as reviewing the big political stories of the week, Nathan and Luke are joined by Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development in the City of Westminster to talk all things planning and development and the priorities of the new administration. 

In the first episode of the new series, Nathan and Luke take a look back at their experiences of the Labour and Conservative Party conferences and the key policy announcements that impact development and planning. They’re joined by friend of the show and Brent Cabinet Member Cllr Shama Tatler to get her take on what it means for local government.

In the latest episode of Polls Apart, Nathan and Luke talk about the candidates vying to be the next Prime Minister and their views on housing. They are then joined for by Cllr Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Housing and Regeneration in Waltham Forest. 

In the latest episode of Polls Apart, Nathan and Luke talk all things housing. Featuring an interview with the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development - Tom Copley, who discusses how to tackle London's housing crisis, the impact of rising construction costs and the relationship between City Hall and London councils. 

In the latest episode, Nathan and Luke talk about the challenges facing local government leaders across London one month on from the elections. They are joined by Cllr Mete Coban, Cabinet Member for the Environment & Transport in Hackney. 

Luke and Nathan are joined by Concilio's Managing Director Nick Dines who interviews journalist and author Dave Hill on his fascinating new book - Olympic Park: When Britain Built Something Big. Buy the book: https://www.onlondon.co.uk/shop/olympic-park-when-britain-built-something-big/

In Part 2 Luke and Nathan review the final London Election results following a weekend of counting that saw some surprising, interesting and transformational results across the capital. 

Luke and Nathan review and summarise the London Election results to date and discuss that seismic Labour hat-trick of taking control of Barnet, Wandsworth and the City of Westminster.

In this episode of Polls Apart, Nathan and Luke talk about what the polls look like in London with one week to go before election day and talk all things Camden. The pair are joined by Cllr Danny Beales, Cabinet Member for Investing in Communities, Culture and an Inclusive Economy in Camden for an extended interview.