Ingrid interviews Winnipeg councillor Sherri Rollins on being an Indigenous woman in local government, why representation matters and how we all have a role in choosing the leaders of the future. We also find out about Chief Thunderwater who led the call for local government reform among indigenous peoples of Canada in the early 20th century and th…

An interview with Rob Dale, founder of Beyond2050 about the possibilities for hydrogen to power municipal transportation, homes and more.See the full show notes - including links mentioned in the podcast: https://lgiu.org/charging-the-future-hydrogen-and-local-government/Local Government: In Conversation

LGIU's Ingrid Koehler and Alice Creasy talk community gardens, an interview with Cincinnati Civic Garden's Greg Potter and a tranquil walk through a community orchard in Llandrindod Wells in Wales.See show notes, garden pics and links here: https://lgiu.org/podcast-get-growing-with-community-gardens/…

Ingrid speaks with Cllr Martin Tett, leader of new unitary Buckinghamshire Council about the process of local government re-organisation and leading a newly formed council through the pandemic. Jonathan and Ingrid discuss the latest LGIU and local government news as well as localgov portmanteaus and neologisms. Show notes and links here: https://lg…

Dr Andrew Walker and Ingrid Koehler look at wellbeing and place and discuss the launch of LGIU's new research centre bridging academic rigour and practical local government experience. Features highlights from the launch of the centre with insights from Patrick Diamond, James Mitchell and James Callaghan. See all links mentioned in the show: https:…

Ingrid Koehler and Jonathan Carr-West catch up on the lastest from the elections, the Local Democracy Research Centre and a fascinating chat with Dr Matthew Potter who discusses the importance of history to place.Full show notes and links: http://lgiu.org/62495-2/Local Government: In Conversation

In this podcast, Jonathan Carr-West interviews the BBC's Tim Burke - the man who covers elections - about how the locals will be covered and what people think about them. Jonathan and Ingrid also address the election essentials and highlight the support LGIU will be giving to new councillors post election. Show notes here: : http://lgiu.org/electio…

Local elections are only a bit over a week away. We talk to Kate Grigg of CfGS about combined authority mayors and what she's expecting from her very first stint volunteering at the polls and Peter Stanyon, Chief Exec of AEA about how this elections are different this year, how they're the same and why running an election is a bit like being a part…

Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler host this edition of LGIU Fortnightly looking at ways that local government can blend representative and participative democracy. Interviews with Deputy Leader of Oxford City Council Tom Hayes and LGIU Associate Kerry Ferguson, with a sneak peak at local elections offerings. Links mentioned in the show here: ht…

Unlocked: local stories from a global pandemic - an audio exploration of our week of reflection. https://lgiu.org/publication/unlocked-local-stories-from-a-global-pandemic/ Interviews with Cllr Abi Brown, writer Karen Campbell, and LGIU staff and poems from Sue Burge. Hosted by Ingrid Koehler and Jonathan Carr-West…

The Covid-19 pandemic has been so profound that it can be easy to forget that local government was in crisis long before coronavirus. Partly as a result of a decade of relentless funding cuts, but also because of an absence of strategic direction in nearly all of the areas most important to councils. Hear from LGIU staff about what's been left unfi…

In this week's episode, Ingrid Koehler and Jonathan Carr-West provide an overview of LGIU's recent work, including our new 20-minute neighbourhoods bundle which outlines the benefits of accessible cities and signposts ideas that can feed into recovery from Covid-19 by building stronger and more resilient communities.LGIU's Andy Johnston also speaks…

Jonathan and Ingrid discuss new LGIU survey on the timing and feasibility of the local elections in May and an interview with Prof. Toby James on what we've learned from countries around the world on running global elections in a pandemic. Links at: http://lgiu.org/free-fair-and-safe-podcast/ ‎Local Government: In Conversation

In this week’s episode of LGIU Fortnightly, Ingrid Koehler speaks to three of our Cllr Award winners, Cllr Tom Beattie Leader of Corby District Council, Cllr Jenny Laing co-leader of Aberdeen City Council and Cllr Bridget Smith leader of South Cambridgeshire DC.Local Government: In Conversation

In this week's episode of LGIU Fortnightly, Andrew Walker and Ingrid Koehler take a deep dive into the latest pillar in our Post-Covid Councils series, the Location of Power. Andrew sets out the key arguments of his new report 'Power down to level up: resilient place-shaping for a post-Covid world', plus we hear an extract from our webinar – coinci…

Obama Foundation Young Leader and Harrow councillor Peymana Assad speaks with LGIU's Ingrid Koehler about her journey into politics, how she maintains her motivation and what the pandemic has taught us about the importance of local leadership. Coming to the UK as a child, a refugee from Afghanistan, Cllr Assad first engaged with local politics as a…

In this week’s episode, Ingrid and Jonathan discuss the latest pillar in LGIU’s Post-Covid Councils project, Place and Community, which launched last week. The episode features presentations from LGIU’s Janet Sillett and Jane Sankarayya who spoke at our Place and Community webinar, plus, Andy Johnston talks to Jim Savege, the Chair of SOLACE Scotla…

1 September: Work and play by Local Government: In ConversationLocal Government: In Conversation

6 August: Food security and access by Local Government: In ConversationLocal Government: In Conversation

22 July: Countering Misinformation by Local Government: In ConversationLocal Government: In Conversation

7 July: Plus Ça Change by Local Government: In ConversationLocal Government: In Conversation

9 June: Black Lives Matter and Covid inequalities by Local Government: In ConversationLocal Government: In Conversation

How is our thinking changing and our focus shifting as we move along the pandemic curve? We hear from Cllr Abi Brown, the Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council about the importance of thinking space and the challenges of response and recovery. We also hear from a husband and wife who lived through ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. They tell us how wh…

2 May: Looking back, looking ahead by Local Government: In ConversationLocal Government: In Conversation

We're meant to stay home to stay lives, but with glorious Spring weather in the northern hemisphere, some people are finding the outdoors too tempting. Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler take the podcast outside this week with reflections on public space, this common experience and the safe and appropriate use of the commons.We talk to Cllr Jack…

We hear from a council leader, a head of comms and a front line care worker as we continue to cover the impact of Covid-19 on the work of councils. Plus a catch up on what LGIU is doing to keep you informed during the crisis. Sound from: Louise Footner, Martin Tett, Sarah Ashmead and Kate Burnett. Hosted by Ingrid Koehler with an update from Jen Gl…

We talk to a new councillor who's building community support during the pandemic and another council who is carrying on an extra year following postponement of the local elections. We hear from Age UK about helping the most vulnerable. Our Chief Executive Jonathan Carr-West tells us about the changing world of supporting local government. Key links…

Local Government: In Conversation

Local Government: In Conversation

7 February: Levelling up in local government? by Local Government: In ConversationLocal Government: In Conversation

Local Government: In Conversation

Local Government: In Conversation

With the general election looming, we hear from councillors who've been out on the doorstep. Cllr Abi Brown, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent and Cllr Michael Payne, Deputy Leader of Gedling and Chair of LGiU, tell us what this election could mean for local government, what should be prioritised by the new Government and how councils can help tackle un-dem…

Can we call it a comeback? The placeshaping agenda has been making a quiet return in town halls across the country, forging ahead without grand frameworks from Whitehall. Liz Watts, South Cambridgeshire chief, tells us how her council is managing huge increases in housing developments by getting residents involved at the early stages. Stacey Arnold…

This week LGiU England hosted our annual Cllr Achievement Awards, welcoming councillors from across the country to celebrate the amazing work done by councillors. We speak to all the winners about their work and we catch up with LGA Chairman Cllr James Jamieson. Congratulations to Cllr Raushan Ara, Cllr Mete Coban, Cllr Sally Longford, Cllr Janet G…

How do we know if our work is having the right impact? Local government deals with some of the thorniest problems in the public sector where there are no blueprints or universally accepted 'right' answers.This week we explore the changing face of public service delivery in a post-performance indicator world with Jon Ainger, Director at Impower. Jon…

Brexit is already a reality in local government – chief executives are engaging with preparations on a daily basis and have allocated the equivalent of 1-3 full time staff to these activities. Hear more results from our latest survey, in which we asked UK council chief executives all about how they're planning for Brexit. We also announce the short…

27th September - Keeping the show on the road by Local Government: In ConversationLocal Government: In Conversation

As the 31st October approaches, councils across the country are preparing for a no-deal Brexit scenario – with very little guidance and minimal resources. As a major import centre for animal feed and pharmaceuticals, Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, tells us about his concerns for managing increased traffic through the city's port…

A thriving community is what everyone in local government aspires to create and that's exactly what Ingrid found in the beautiful Welsh town of Llandrindod Wells. Hear about the community orchard run by Transition Llandrindod, the life of a Town Crier, the Victorian Festival and how to run a community cafe. We also discuss the turbulent national po…

With councils across the country declaring climate emergencies, we ask a couple of them what this really means for the way they work. Cllr Kevin Maguire, Cabinet Member for Environment in Norwich City Council, describes their approach to integrating environmental with social and economic outcomes, and Cllr Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council…

The summer holidays are upon us and perhaps you might have a bit of headspace to think beyond the day-to-day running of your council. But what should you be thinking about? LGiU offers food for thought on some of the meatier, longterm challenges facing local government and wider society – public service transformation, climate change and public tru…

It's been a big week at LGiU. We hosted our annual Local Government APPG reception on the beautiful House of Commons terrace and launched the final report from the Local Finance Taskforce.Hear the full keynote speech by Rt Hon James Brokenshire, HCLG SoS, acknowledging the uncertainty facing local government, and an interview with Shadow SoS Andrew…

Recorded live from sunny Bournemouth, LGiU joined the great and the good of local government at the LGA's annual conference this week. We discuss the messages coming from Secretary of State James Brokenshire and new LGA chair Cllr James Jamieson, as well as updates from LGiU's fringe events.We caught up with many friendly faces at our reception wit…

Homelessness is one of our society's most intractable issues and one that has been at the top of the political agenda for several years. This week LGiU's local government-led Homelessness Commission launched its final report. We discuss its recommendations on how to accelerate progress towards ending homelessness.And it would be remiss of us not to…

Edinburgh Council's Leader, Cllr Adam Mcvey, is marching the issue of tourism tax all the way to Holyrood. We speak to him about what he's learned from the process about developing a solid evidence base and reaching out to less-than-enthusiastic stakeholders.Back in London, LGiU spoke before the CLG Select Committee this week about the future of co…

This week's podcast is an Andy Burnham special, featuring an exclusive interview with the Mayor of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, discussing the positive effects of devolution. Burnham gives his thoughts on a whole-place approach to reforming services, Whitehall's top down approach and of course football.…

We reflect on what messages can be drawn from the surprising outcome of last week’s elections. Is it all about bins not Brexit, or are there more complex layers to these elections? We contemplate the increased Lib Dem and Independent vote, and speak to Cllr Steve Bridger, who was elected on Thursday as an Independent councillor for North Somerset C…

Councillor candidate hopefuls up and down the country are out in force this week, as Thursday's ballot looms. We speak to those people at the frontline of our local democracy – whether running for the first time, veteran campaigners, standing down or switching party – and to the Association of Electoral Administrators about the officers actually or…

In light of the crisis facing the UK retail sector, councils have an integral role to play in shaping the future of these once-vibrant public spaces – and indeed their future financial security relies on business rates income to which retailers have typically been major contributors. This week we bring you '3 questions to ask yourself about the fut…