The Local Authority Podcast

This summer has seen record heatwaves, pushing climate change back onto the agenda, and local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to ensure services, residents and places are resilient.

This episode of the Local Authority examines the role of councils in climate adaptation.

Deputy editor Martin George is joined by Sandra Bogelein, lead analyst – people and net zero at the Climate Change Committee, and Christopher Hammond, chief executive of UK100.

Andy Burnham’s government has set out radical plans to change how England is governed, with greater powers for elected mayors and strategic authorities, an emphasis on place-based working, and a slimmed down civil service as powers are devolved.

This episode of the Local Authority examines the implications of the seven-page document Rewiring the State for devolution in England, the role of local authorities, and what will be needed to achieve these ambitions.

Acting editor Martin George is joined by Amy Harhoff, chief executive of the East Midlands CCA and Robin Tuddenham, chief executive of Calderdale MBC and president of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers.

Councils are increasingly in the eye of the storm when online misinformation and disinformation spreads through their communities. Sometimes the council finds itself at the centre of a social media storm; at others, online disinformation can threaten community cohesion.

To explore how to spot emerging concerns, get ahead of the narrative and act in the middle of a storm, acting editor Martin George is joined by Helena Hornby, head of community collaboration at Orlo, Jake Morgan-Stead, head of digital campaigns and communications at Lambeth LBC, and Matt Nicholls, head of communications improvement at the Local Government Association.

This episode of the Local Authority is sponsored by Orlo.

Last month’s local elections brought a wider spectrum of politicians than ever into local power. As the dust settles and new administrations take office, this episode of the Local Authority, recorded before a live audience at New Local’s Stronger Things conference, examines what comes next for public services.

Joining acting LGC editor Martin George are John Denham, former communities secretary and director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics at Southampton University, Grace Pollard, head of policy and insights at New Local, and Wietse Van Ransbeeck, CEO and co-founder of Go Vocal.

With around half of councils having declared the results of their elections, the LGC team analyses the main themes that have developed so far. Acting editor Martin George is joined by head of news Kirsty Weakley, chief reporter Caitlin Webb and finance and devolution reporter Elliot Topham.

[Published 16:00 on Friday 08 May 2026 - results correct at time of recording]

With more than 5,000 seats up for grabs across English councils in May, this episode of The Local Authority examines what the elections could mean for the major parties, the rise of Reform and the Greens, and what the results might tell us about the state of British democracy.

LGC news editor Kirsty Weakley is joined by elections expert Colin Rallings and Polly Curtis, chief executive of cross-party think tank Demos, to explore projections for Labour and Conservative seat losses, the growing role of independent candidates and residents' associations, and the extent to which fragmented multi-party politics has made traditional swing analysis obsolete. The panel also discusses whether these elections feel less like a verdict on the current government and more like a broader expression of public disillusionment with the political system as a whole.

Metro mayors are the poster boys for devolution, but councils have a vital but often unappreciated role in combined authorities – soon to be renamed strategic authorities. With the government planning to ‘complete the map’ of devolution in England and reform how strategic authorities operate, this episode of the Local Authority podcast examines the relationship between strategic authorities and their constituent councils.

Acting editor Martin George is joined by Mark Rogers, associate director of the Leadership Centre, who has led teams establishing three new combined authorities, and Akash Paun, a programme director at the Institute for Government, where he leads the institute’s devolution programme.

Millions of people rely on social care every day, but it has long been a service in crisis with soaring demand, workforce shortages and inadequate funding, putting ever greater pressure on council finances. Against this backdrop, the Labour government was elected on a promise to set up a National Care Service.

In this episode, acting editor Martin George is joined by former care minister Paul Burstow, who now chairs the Social Care Institute for Excellence, and Andy Harrop, a director at Public First who as general secretary of the Fabian Society wrote a report for the Labour party setting out a roadmap to a National Care Service, to explore what a National Care Service could look like in practice, and how it could change the role of councils.

There has been a growing focus on neighbourhood working in local government for several years and now everybody seems to be talking about neighbourhoods. Last year the prime minister announced a £5bn investment in neighbourhoods, the NHS is rolling out neighbourhood health partnerships and all councils are going to be required to introduce neighbourhood governance arrangements.

In this episode of The Local Authority, LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by Jon Rouse, chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and member of the National Commission on Neighbourhoods and Madeleine Jennings, head of policy and comms at Local Trust to discuss why it has become such a political buzzword.

More than 165,000 children are currently estimated to be living in temporary accommodation as more and more families find themselves homeless. This often means living in unsuitable accommodation or moving away from friends and family for periods that most would not consider temporary. Councils are struggling to keep up with demand and the crisis is putting severe pressure on their budgets.

In this episode of The Local Authority, the podcast from LGC, recorded before the government published its homelessness strategy at the end of last year, we explore what can be done to alleviate the situation and provide relief for families and council budgets.

Head of content Kirsty Weakley is joined by Tom Stannard, chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Laura Neilson chief executive of the Shared Health Foundation and Jamie Carswell, director of housing and safer communities at Greenwich RBC.

In this special episode of The Local Authority, LGC’s editorial team review the biggest stories of the year and look ahead to what might be dominating local government headlines in 2026.

Following a huge year for the sector, LGC editor Sarah Calkin, deputy editor Martin George, head of content Kirsty Weakley and chief reporter Caitlin Webb discuss topics including the rise of Reform, Send and what next year’s elections might mean for councils across the country. Plus ministerial changes in MHCLG and why one council leader refused to wear Steve Reed's bucket hats.

In this episode of The Local Authority podcast, LGC’s head of content Kirsty Weakley is joined by Alan Clark (Barnet LBC), Kevin Fox (Capita) and Helen Barnard (Trussell Trust) to explore how councils can approach aged debt collection in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

With billions owed in council tax and business rates, collection is critical to funding public services, while the reality that many residents in arrears are already in severe financial hardship. Together the panel discuss the ways in which collection can be a more compassionate exercise, utilising technology, data, and a person-centred approach to improve efficiency and fairness.

This episode is sponsored by Capita: "Capita helps councils recover aged debt in a way that’s fair, ethical, and effective—so you can protect vulnerable residents while funding vital public services. Discover how our digital and AI-driven solutions make debt recovery smarter and more compassionate. Learn more at content.capita.com/aged-debt"

Almost a fifth of pupils are now classed as having special educational needs but under the current system parents feel they have to fight to get support for their child. Meanwhile councils are being pushed to the brink of bankruptcy by the costs of provision.

With the government promising to set out reforms in a schools white paper this autumn, this episode of The Local Authority explores what needs to happen to make sustainable services that work for families.

Joining LGC editor Sarah Calkin to discuss this topic are Rachael Wardell, Surrey CC director of children’s services and president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, Susan Parsonage, chief executive of Wokingham BC and Solace spokesperson on Send, and William Burns, social care policy advisor at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy.

The role of councillors has never been more important, with local government reorganisation set to reduce their number while ministers aim to enhance their role in their communities.

But there are concerns that council chambers do not reflect local populations, potential candidates are being put off from standing, and good councillors are not standing for re-election.

As LGC launches its Councillors for the 21st Century campaign, Andrew Ferrier, chief executive of Test Valley BC, Catherine Mangan, professor of public management and leadership at the Institute of Local Government Studies at the University of Birmingham, and Ryan Jude, a cabinet member at Westminster City Council, discuss the barriers councillors face, and how to overcome them.

This episode was recorded live at Stronger Things 2025.

This episode is sponsored by Downing. Downing is a responsible investment manager with nearly a billion pounds of assets under management in renewable energy and infrastructure.

This episode was recorded live at the LGC Investment Seminar which was held between 27-28 March 2025 in Carden Park, Cheshire. Joining Martin George, deputy editor of Local Government Chronicle, are:

• Tom Williams, head of energy and infrastructure at Downing
• Laura Colliss, pension fund manager at North East Scotland Pension Fund

Together they discuss the investment opportunities for the Local Government Pension Scheme to invest in the energy transition ahead of key milestones in 2030 and 2050, the role of Great British Energy and how the LGPS can work with it, and how LGPS funds can use these opportunities to achieve a local impact in their area.

Find out more about the event at investmentseminar.lgcplus.com/

Read LGC's investment content at lgcplus.com/investment

Tackling climate change is a key priority for councils across the country, and energy policy is an indispensable part of this work. In this special episode LGC, in association with Capita, is examining how councils can make community energy a reality, and the role of local area energy planning in achieving their goals.

LGC deputy editor Martin George is joined by Wayne Bexton, director of economy, environment and assets at Nottinghamshire CC, Fiona Brazill, head of proposition for sustainability and net zero at Capita Public Service, and Debbie Caldwell, climate commissioner at Belfast City Council.

LGC Net Zero 2025 is taking place in Manchester on 18 June. View the programme and register for your complimentary place here (subject to approval).

The English devolution white paper outlines ambitions to join up public services, hand mayors more influence over arms length bodies and give them a bigger role in other public services.

What does this mean for how public services will run in the future, will the proposals achieve what the government wants them to, and what is needed to make them work?

In this episode, LGC deputy editor Martin George is joined by Pam Smith, chief executive of Newcastle City Council and Jessica Studdert, chief executive of New Local.

The English devolution white paper, published in December, commits to “a permanent shift of power away from Whitehall” and a rewiring of national government to work in partnership with mayors and council leaders.

Plans include the creation of more mayors and devolution across the country, with more powers for existing mayors, including over how they spending existing devolved budgets.

This is episode two if three exploring all aspects of the white paper and is focused on Devolution

In this episode LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by:

• Sean Anstee, director of operations, Devon and Torbay CCA
• Sarah Longlands, Chief executive, Centre for Local Economic Strategies

The English devolution white paper, published in December, commits to “a permanent shift of power away from Whitehall” and a rewiring of national government to work in partnership with mayors and council leaders.

But it also heralded the end of two tier local government by ordering counties and districts to reorganise into unitary councils.

Over three episodes of The Local Authority, LGC will explore all major aspects of the government’s plans, beginning with reorganisation.

In this episode, LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by:

• Kevin Bentley, Conservative group lead at the LGA and leader of Essex CC
• Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire Council
• Bridget Smith, Lib Dem leader of South Cambridgeshire DC

In a world of squeezed budgets and increasing demand, improving outcomes while saving money has become the holy grail for local government. In this special episode LGC, in association with IMPOWER, is delving deep into one place’s quest to transform health and social care services to do just that.

Manchester’s Better Outcomes, Better Lives programme brought health and social care services together at neighbourhood level to improve support for residents in need of social care and avoid more than £39m in costs.

LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by Bernie Enright, Manchester City Council’s executive director for adult social services, Katy Calvin-Thomas, chief executive of the Manchester and Trafford local care organisations and Oliver Barnes, delivery director at IMPOWER to discuss how they did it.

Read more: Bernadette Enright: Delivering ‘good savings’ in adult social care

• Ann Carruthers, president of the Association of directors of environment, planning and transport and director of environment and transport for Leicestershire CC
• Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council and a member of the LGA’s local infrastructure and net zero board
• Hugh Ellis, director of policy at the town and country planning association

This episode is sponsored by Brightwood.

Brightwood Capital is a $6 billion private credit firm that specialises in providing customised senior debt capital to sponsored and non-sponsored U.S. businesses in five core industries within the middle market.

This episode was recorded live at the LGC Investment and Pensions Summit which was held between 11-13 September 2024 in Birmingham. Joining Martin George, deputy editor of Local Government Chronicle, are:

• Sengal Selassie, CEO and founder of Brightwood Capital Advisors
• Mike O'Donnell, former CEO of London CIV
• Jo Kempton, head of Lincolnshire Pension Fund

Together they discuss the implications of the new UK Government, an upcoming U.S presidential election, and the potential for pension fund/pool mergers, structural change, UK-focused investment, and more.

Find out more about the event at investmentsummit.lgcplus.com

Read LGC's investment content at lgcplus.com/investment

Continually looking for savings and efficiencies in the quest to balance the books has become a way of life for local authorities. But striking the balance between achieving savings in the short term without storing up more problems for the future is challenging and can require political and managerial bravery.

In this episode of The Local Authority LGC, in association with Impower, explores what good savings look like and how councils can deliver more of them.

LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by:

• Martin Reeves, chief executive, Oxfordshire CC
• Mark Smith, director of public service reform, Gateshead MBC
• Ebony Hughes, chief operating officer, Impower

BONUS: This episode is from the LGC Investment Series Podcast which brings you exclusive content from our LGPS focused event series.

In this episode, deputy editor of Local Government Chronicle Martin George is joined by is Phil Triggs, Tri-Borough Director of Treasury and Pensions at Westminster City Council, and Jo Donnelly, Secretary to the Scheme Advisory Board.

The group discuss what the landslide Labour general election of 2024 means for the LGPS.

To find out more about the event, sponsorship, or attendance, visit
https://lgcpensioninsight.lgcplus.com/2024/en/page/home

For news, features and events regarding the LGPS visit: https://lgcplus.com/investment

Normal episodes of The Local Authority will resume soon. We hope you enjoy this bonus episode.

Last week Labour won the general election and a new government is in place. To discuss what this might mean for local government, including devolution, council funding and planning reform, LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by an expert panel:

• Charlotte Alldritt, founder and former chief executive of the Centre for Progressive Policy and political advisor to Lord Sainsbury
• Jessica Studdert, interim chief executive of New Local
• Tony Travers, associate dean of the School of Public Policy at the London School of Economics

Home to school transport has become an increasing pressure on council budgets as a combination of increases in demand from pupils with special educational needs and a lack of supply push up costs.

In this episode of The Local Authority, LGC in association with Qroutes, would like to explore how councils can reduce costs whilst ensuring children receive the education they need. What is the role of schools? How can parental expectations be managed? Should services be means tested?

LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by:

• Roger Gough, leader of Kent CC and children’s services spokesperson for the County Councils Network
• Rachael Shimmin, chief executive of Buckinghamshire Council
• Liz Davidson, chief marketing officer for Qroutes

Support for this episode comes from QRoutes. QRoutes creates routing optimisation software that helps local authorities address their special educational needs transport challenges. Their technology helps school transport planners deliver tailored and empathetic services that cut carbon and cost less.

Find out more at: qroutes.co.uk

It's 3pm on 03 May, and the local election count is on. In the LGC news room for this special Local Authority episode, LGC deputy editor Martin George is joined by editor Sarah Calkin and reporter Caitlin Webb to talk all things results: what do we know so far, what trends are at play and what local issues have been influencing results? Which are the counts particularly worth focusing on as we continue into the weekend, and have there been any surprises so far?

Find out more about sponsoring an episode of The Local Authority by downloading a copy of the media pack here, or emailing [email protected].

The local elections are just around the corner, with everyone in England and Wales able to vote in either council, metro mayor or police and crime commissioner elections, or a combination of the three.

With the Conservatives behind in national polling, the increasing importance of independent candidates, and some bellwether mayoral and council contests taking place on 2 May, there is a lot to talk about.

In this special Local Authority episode, LGC deputy editor Martin George is joined by editor Sarah Calkin and head of news Kirsty Weakley to discuss all this and more. The trio are joined by elections expert Colin Rallings who explains why he thinks the Tories could lose up to 500 seats, and by Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, to talk about its recent polling about the metro mayors.

Find out more about sponsoring an episode of The Local Authority by downloading a copy of the media pack here, or emailing [email protected].

Councils are increasingly recognising the value of involving communities in the design of services meanwhile financial pressures have seen the delivery of services such as libraries outsourced to community groups. And though new technology has provided more ways for councils to engage with their residents and businesses, misinformation through social media platforms can often undermine trust.

In this episode of The Local Authority we explore what the relationship between councils and their communities should look like and how councils can build trust and democratic engagement.

LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by:

• Elizabeth Campbell (Con), leader of Kensington & Chelsea RBC
• Tracey Lee, chief executive, Plymouth City Council
• Adam Lent, chief executive, New Local

Find out more about sponsoring an episode of The Local Authority here: https://lgcplus.com/podcast

Children’s services are frequently cited as the biggest current pressure on council budgets, with costs having spiralled in recent years. But despite huge increases in spending there is concern children are often not getting the care and support they need, with shortages of placements meaning young people can often find themselves placed many miles away from the people and places they know. Furthermore placements are increasingly being provided in facilities run by private equity backed firms, sparking concerns of excessive profit making.

In this episode of The Local Authority, the podcast from Local Government Chronicle, we explore what has gone wrong and what needs to happen to fix a broken system.

LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by:

• Louise Gittins (Lab), chair of the LGA children and young people’s board and leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council
• Josh MacAlister, chair of the 2022 Independent Review of Children’s Social Care and now executive chair of Foundations, the what works centre for children and families
• Andy Smith, vice president of Association of Directors of Children’s Services and strategic director for children’s and adults’ social services at Derby City Council