Truth about Local Government

.It was great to sit down with Mark Fowler the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate Director of Community Wellbeing of Luton Borough Council. We explored Mark's career, how Luton is continually evolving to improves outcomes for residents and his views on how on a national scale improvements can be made in the sector.

Today Nigel Wilcock, Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Development discussed: What, in a nutshell, is economic development? What role do Local Authorities play in economic development? Do all Local Authorities approach this in the same way? What happens if this work isn’t completed? Is this relevant to the lives of local residents? What are we likely to see after the next election? B...

.Great to sit down with Nick Cummings, former Interim Head of Assets for Spelthorne Borough Council. We discussed how to maximise regeneration and development opportunities on commercial and residential developments and regeneration. A key aspect of this is the engagement of risk when partnering with the private sector.

On todays episode we explored Hammersmith and Fulham's approach to tackling the climate crisis. This topic was structured into three areas.1. Embedding climate change in everything we do2. How we engage and inspire climate action in H&F3. The challenge of implementing our action plan, the role of LAs and the opportunities

Great to sit down with Dave Briggs - Interim Director of Digital and ICT Services. We discussed How strategy, structure and programs can help deliver cost savings and transformation of processes, providing the best outcomes for consumers and external stakeholders, This was broken down into: Agree your vision (goals, principles, areas of focus etc. What is it you actually want to achieve?) Structur...

James Lazarus is a highly successful development and regeneration specialist who has worked in the private and third sector, before recently transitioning into local government. We explored how partnerships and leverage drive the realisation of value in development schemes. James goes onto explain, that this means organisations with the assets typically land owners, using partners typically from t...

Sitting down with Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, the second largest unitary council in the UK, we explored local government's role in the present and what it may be in the future. As it currently stands local government funding does not match the role that it does. Key takeaways from Tom: We need a white paper on local government Business rates need to be examined far more fre...

Sitting down with Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, the second largest unitary council in the UK, we explored local government's role in the present and what it may be in the future. As it currently stands local government funding does not match the role that it does. Key takeaways from Tom: We need a white paper on local government Business rates need to be examined far more fre...

It was great to sit down with Jamie Groves and to talk how leisure services being outsourced to a LATCO, Denbighshire Leisure Ltd has improved leisure facilities significantly in Denbighshire, thanks to Alliance Leisure.. We explored the leisure framework and the benefits that this new framework has. The question for local authorities is whether right now is the time to insource, is their the skil...

Valentines Lido will be a breathtaking new lido in the hart of Valentines park. It is just one example of how the London Borough of Redbridge is delivering on its pledge to make Redbridge a place for everyone. Mark Baigent, Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture gives me a tour as to the other achievements and discusses how the council is delivering so many fantastic schemes and truly enga...

.Interviewing Tony Keaveney, Assistant Director Housing Services at Central Bedfordshire District Council his passion, knowledge and authenticity really brings the housing crisis to light. Councils need to be able to increase rents if services are to be delivered in line with standards set by central government. And central government needs to be consistent with their policies and leadership when...

Today we sat down with Tom Smith Head of Facilities at the London Borough of Ealing. We explored:What is facilities? How does facilities affect the community? What does working in local government mean to you? Insourcing versus outsourcing?

Great to interview Nick Lamb, a experienced Regeneration leader who since transitioning to the public sector has completed interim assignments with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, High Peak Borough Council and Lancaster City Council. On todays episode we explored: Transition from Private to public – adaptation – LA’s fantastic platform to deliver transformational change Role of property/ass...

An employee value proposition (EVP) is the unique set of benefits that an employee receives in return for the skills, capabilities, and experience they bring to a company. An EVP is about defining the essence of your company – how it is unique and what it stands for. It encompasses the central reasons that people are proud and motivated to work there, such as the inspiring vision or distinctive cu...

Interview with Wayne Bexton - Director of Green Growth, Investment and Assets at Nottinghamshire County Council and Chair D2N2 Low Carbon Board. We explored: Role of LAs in enhancing and protecting the environment. Managing estates more efficiently and aligned to new ways of working. Carbon Neutrality aligned with economic regeneration. Building Retrofit – domestic and commercial. Devolution oppor...

Passion, pride and proactive, that is how I would describe Weymouth Town Council's Town Clerk Jane Biscombe. We had a fantastic chat talking about all the amazing things that Weymouth are delivering. The excellent working relationship with Dorset Council; and the need for central government to amend the carers allowance to include town and parish councils.

.Elaine Atkinson was the Leader of the Borough of Poole, now part of the BCP Unitary Council from May 1995 - June 2016. With just over 21 year local government service under her belt, she gave a valuable insight to some of the challenges that are facing local government.

Public health is a strategic service within local government . It is involved in shaping strategies, providing data and intelligence, designing evaluation criteria and defining outcomes from the outset of all key projects 1 . The transfer of public health from the NHS to local government and Public Health England (PHE) is one of the most significant extensions of local government powers and duties...

I sat down with Ashley Prior to explore his journey through local government of his 40+ year career. We explored how local government relating to highways has changed on a micro and macro level. The strengths of local government highways departments. His experience of leadership, training of staff and the utilisation of consultancies. Three key take away points: 1) Highway processes and structures...

Aidan Rave is a passionate advocate of governance and local government. He was formerly Chief Executive at South Kesteven District Council SKDC and Deputy Mayor of Doncaster Council . We explored governance, its role within local government, the context as to why governance might be slipping and what can be done to maintain high standards of governance within local government. A really insightful...

Sitting down with Cllr Keith Girling, who is currently the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management at Nottinghamshire County Council, it is clear to see why Nottinghamshire has the second highest rate of gold star employers of the Armed Forces Covenant scheme. Keith served for 18 years in the Grenadier Guards as a Colour Sergeant and his passion on ensuring armed forces worker...

Andy Sharp, Director of Social Care, Health & Housing at Central Bedfordshire provides some really insightful observations into the challenges and pressures local authorities are facing in local government. We talked prioritisation of spend and the new regulatory changes to adult social services. Central Bedfordshire are doing some great work to invest now into their care facilities to help re...

Sitting down with Lawrence Conway, the former Chief Executive at South Lakeland District Council, talking about the need for fundamental transformational change within local government. The factors that need to be addressed before true change can take place and why change has not been wide spread engaged with at this point in local government.

Today I spoke with Shama Tatler , Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth at Brent Council. Vice Chair of London Labour Regional Board. LGA Resources Board Member. LGA Labour Peer. We covered in todays episode: Why housing is a critical issue and setting the scene Difficulties councils face - austerity; policy; expectations What needs to change in planning and the housing sector Why h...

Today we sat down with Mark Davies, Chief Executive at Lancaster City Council. Mark started his career in the public sector as a building cleaner. He has progressed through roles that always focused on delivering better outcomes. He believes we have a massive part to play in addressing climate change and tackling the inequalities that exist in our communities. In his role he works with Elected Mem...