Truth about Local Government

What a way to start the 2024. Great to speak with Mike O'Donnell, local government finance expert. We discussed: Local government finance – reflections on past, present and future, s114s, future funding. LGPS and pooling. Responsible investment and climate risk.

Having worked for both local government, the NHS and now consultancy advising authorities Alex Mileman is an expert in the transformational change programs that add value to adult social care. It was very enjoyable to sit down with him to discuss this topic in more detail. All views from Alex are his own views.

Thoroughly enjoyed sitting down with Perry Holmes, Director of Legal and Governance at Wiltshire Council, to explore explore the benefits limited companies present to councils, both from an output and employment perspective. It is marvelous to see how the use of limited companies can help solve unmet needs within communities. Equally impressive is Perry's aspiration and desire to share the skills...

.Sally is the Director of Human Resources at Hertfordshire County Council where she leads on all aspects of people management for a diverse workforce of over 8,000 staff. During her time in this role her work was dominated in 2020/21 by supporting and deploying the workforce in response to Covid-19. In 2021/22 she led a review of pay and terms and conditions working with staff and unions to do so....

Fantastic to sit down with Chief Executive, Sam Plum and Leader Cllr Jonathan Brook. We discussed the opportunity that comes with being a newly formed unitary. Developing a culture of compassion and communities that are self reliant. The council has significant place shaping ambition and it will be exciting to see the council progress over the coming years.

.Today with Co Presenter Amy Cox, we interviewed Nikki Davies, Chief Executive of Meeting Place, a nationally recognised expert in providing strategies to developers and property owners on how to communicate their projects and their social and environmental impact. We explored with Nikki: What her current role and remit was at Meeting Place? What has been her journey to get to be Managing Director...

Today we sat down with David Thompson, Assistant Director - Planning at North East Derbyshire District Council. We discussed issues around the supply of new planners joining the profession, embracing IT to find innovative ways to engage with the community and where David's passion for planning comes from.

It was fantastic to sit down with Paul Dossett, Partner and Head of Local Government at Grant Thornton discussing financial sustainability in local government at the present time. Paul answered the following questions: - What is the current picture of financial sustainability in local government? - While councils cannot go ‘bankrupt’, they instead issue section 114 notices and we have seen signifi...

It was fantastic to sit down with Alison McKenzie-Folan, Chief Executive of Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council. We discussed how on an ethos of kindness and compassion, coupled with innovation and continuous improvement has helped deliver the Wigan Deal and is driving through the New Era for Wigan. Alison is conscious that they build on the successes of the deal and learn from the mistakes. Wigan...

It is an incredibly exciting time for the West Midlands Combined Authority, with the new settlement agreement that will streamline their ability to invest into projects that will have the greatest impact on the region over the next two years. Great to speak with Ed Cox, Executive Director for Strategy, Economy and Net Zero to understand the role of the Combined Authority, the aspirations the WMCA...

It was fantastic to sit down with Julia Smith, the Chief Executive of Blaby District Council to discuss her journey, the exciting things taking place in the Blaby District at the moment and the opportunities that exist for those who join the Council's leadership team.

Cllr Terry Richardson is first and foremost a fair man. His passion, authenticity and honesty over his nine years as leader, has helped shaped and progress Blaby. We discussed his journey into politics, the fantastic officers and senior leadership team that he works in partnership with and what the future holds for Blaby.

Great to speak with Adele Gritten, Chief Executive – Local Partnerships LLP. Today we explored the challenges that local authorities are facing and how Local Partnership LLP is supporting councils with their journey, to overcome these challenges with innovative solutions.

Great to sit down with Phil Mayall - MD of Muse Developments, to discuss development, partnership and the challenges facing the sector at the moment. What struck me in our recording was the authenticity and genuine care that Phil has for the partnerships he and Muse enter into and how as partners, the potential of developments can truly be realised.

Great to sit down with Jack Boyce - Director of the Midlands region for DevComms. They specialise in political and community stakeholder engagement in the built environment. A really fantastic ambassador of trust being the secret ingredient to successful developments.

.Today we sat down with Chris Brook - Director of Place and Enterprise at South Hams District Councils and West Devon Borough Council and we discussed the housing crisis, the consequences and the solutions to this systemic problem.

It was fantastic to sit down with James Trowsdale, Strategic Lead for Culture at North East Lincolnshire Council to discuss local government's role in enabling creative placemaking. Challenging creative energy, is so important and it was great to get into this today with James.

As the Procurement Bill makes its way through government, ahead of implementation in autumn 2024, our Managing Director Simon Hill will discuss how the upcoming Procurement Act will create positive change and unlock the potential of future public procurement. However, the sector must challenge, collaborate and communicate to truly maximise the benefit of the new Procurement Bill.

Andrew Booth is a highly experienced Head of Development and Regeneration, who has run his own architect business in France and now works for local government in the UK. He educated me on the French system and what we can learn from the French approach to development and regeneration.

Today we sat down with Paul Richards, who is the CEO of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation alongside being the Director of Development and Regeneration for Stockport Council and has previously been Property Director for Findel PLC, Homeform Group and Wine Cellar. He has extensive senior level experience of managing occupational property portfolios and capital transformation programmes a...

Great to sit down with Paula Claytonsmith - Chief Executive of the Local Council Roads Innovation Group. Today we explored: Why the Highways sector is the place to be – The Highways sector is going through arguably the biggest paradigm shift in 15 years. With AI, Quantum computing, innovations in materials, changes in thinking, and skills shortage the sector is one of the most exciting industries...

Today we sat down with Arthur Charvonia, who has been the Chief Executive at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils since January 2017. The council is first Green Party majority Council in the Northern Hemisphere and an 'elegant' Green, Independent, Liberal Democrat power sharing Council. Arthur is an exceptional leader and it was great to get his views on a number of key topics.

.Fantastic to sit down with Rosie Pearson - Corporate Director - Local Partnerships LLP discussing how collaboration is the critical component in driving positive outcome and efficiency in local government organisations.

Great to sit down with Andrew Ireland - Strategic Director of Investment at the London Borough at Newham to discuss Commercialisation in local government. Andrew's proposed centres of excellence, which councils can get advice from for free, is fantastic. This innovative solution would mean not every council is trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, have experts who are passionate about social valu...

Great to talk to Aisling Khan former Strategic Director People and Communities (DCS and DASS)/Joint Deputy Chief Executive with the Council of the Isles of Scilly. Aisling talked through how partnerships and ED&I are critical components in local government care functions.