Better Places

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 hopes to see from the next Labour Government.

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 dream, as some sceptics have argued? 

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 coming next.

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.