As part of our new interview series for Future Local Lab, we sat down with Dominic Campbell, a highly accomplished public service entrepreneur and thought leader with extensive experience driving organisational change and digital transformation across the UK, US and Australia.

Dominic has held various leadership roles, including founding and previously leading FutureGov, a consultancy focused on bringing digital and design into government development. Dominic is currently a partner at Impossible Ideas, a public service venture studio that focuses on investing in and inventing solutions to organisational challenges for the future of the public service sector. His impressive experience and dedication to public service innovation are exactly why we were excited to sit down with him to talk about transformation, technology and the future of local government.

Dominic Campbell is one of LGIU’s top 25 thinkers in local government make sure you check out the rest of the list.

As part of our new interview series for Future Local Lab, we interviewed Mary Agostino, the newly appointed CEO of Mitchell Shire Council and one of our top 25 thinkers, about her extensive experience supporting Melbourne's growth corridors. Mary's insights on local government leadership and building resilient communities are a must-read/watch/listen. Learn from a visionary leader dedicated to shaping a sustainable future.

Mary Agostino is one of LGIU’s top 25 thinkers in local government. Make sure you check out the rest of the list.

1:49 Mary Agostino’s journey into local government
4:07 Leadership during crises: bushfires and covid-19
7:35 Planning for the future
14:21 Building resilient communities in growth areas
18:20 Balancing the needs of established and emerging communities
19:57 Championing growth and self-determined communities
26:56 Advocating community needs for long-term growth
32:57 Future challenges for local government leaders

As part of our global interview series for Future Local Lab, LGIU’s Andrew Walker sat down with Dara Turnbull, Research Coordinator at Housing Europe, to discuss his current specialism in social and affordable housing and economic inequality and what the trends and predictions are for the future of housing. 

This conversation covers a wide range of crucial issues, from the evolution of demographic trends to best practices across European nations and the implications of big data gaps for providing accurate insights. We also dig into what the appointment of a new Housing Commissioner for the EU means for this key policy area and how housing provisions in the future will have to adjust to meet demand.

Dara Turnbull is one of LGIU’s top 25 thinkers in local government make sure you check out the rest of the list.

As part of our new interview series for Future Local Lab, LGIU’s Head of Content, Freya Millard, sat down with Professor Lucy Easthope, a leading authority in emergency planning and disaster recovery. For over two decades, she has been at the forefront of the profession and involved in the biggest world-shaping disasters, from 9/11 to Covid-19, and many more that fall under and off the radar – but not for Lucy and her comrades in the hidden world of emergency planning.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Lucy shares her invaluable advice and expertise in helping local government and their communities recover and rebuild after disaster. We dig into the misconceptions of local emergency planning, the pertinent issues that infiltrate the sector, and the practicalities of how local government can work to improve citizen preparedness and resilience in the face of adversity, both now and in the future.

02:00 – The role of emergency planners

04:30 – Misconceptions and realities of local emergency planning

10:45 – The concept of secondary disasters and bad help

15:02 – Community preparedness and public involvement

23:16 – The value of planning and protecting the plan

25:57 – The cost of gender bias in emergency planning

31:49 – Tackling cultural incompetency in emergency response

35:22 – Walking the slow road of recovery

41:16 – Learning to live alongside risk and disaster

46:50 – Rebuilding the fabric of our society post-pandemic

53:07 – Reflections and key advice

Exclusive to LGIU members, join us for our upcoming Ask the Expert event with Lucy Easthope (Wednesday, 9th April, 10am BST). Here is your chance to ask Lucy your very own questions. Book your place.

LGIU's Head of Research, Dr Andrew Walker, talks to Dr Kevin Muldoon Smith about systems of local government finance and governance around the world. Dr Muldoon-Smith is an Associate Professor in Strategic Public Sector Finance and Urban Adaptation at Northumbria University and is working with LGIU's Local Democracy Research Centre on an international comparison project exploring different systems of funding.00:00 - Introduction02:10 - Short introduction to Kevin's career and work on local government governance and finance issues04:29 - Built environment - the nexus of policy, politics and power07:19 - LGIU's international local government finance project, a summary of what we know about different systems and how those structures help local government respond to the big global challenges15:27 - What does it take to enable change to take place in an existing system19:43 - The LGIU's upcoming paper on the local government finance system in Australia25:35 - What do the different systems around the world mean for the experiences of residents and local government staff30:15 - The role for academics and think tanks in promoting the argument for change

As part of our new interview series for Future Local Lab, LGIU’s Chief Executive Jonathan Carr-West sat down with Professor Donna Hall to discuss her impressive career, what it takes to transform local government for the future and the courage needed in local leadership right now to get the ball rolling.

2:16 Donna Halls' journey into local government3:54 The Wigan Deal: The inspiration behind it6:45 A new approach: Person-centric public services10:01 The challenges of implementing innovative practices14:13 Courageous local leadership for the future18:41 Building trust and community empowerment21:54 The future of local government30:11 Final reflections

This week co-hosts Simone and Freya are discussing what it takes to be a councillor, the expectations, the risks, the rewards, and everything in between. They share snippets and insights from first-hand accounts gained from recent interviews with Cllr Award 2023 winners along with councillors from all over the world. Plus, Cllr Euan Jardine from Scotland and Cllr Jim Magee from Australia provide their own great advice for new councillors embarking on this career path.

In the news segment, the stories include the world's biggest animal crossing, new art installations and smart tyre pumps.

Add to your calendar the following events and training:

Show notes:

⁠⁠⁠For even more local government resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lgiu.org

This week, co-hosts Simone and Freya are discussing elections! They cover the aftermath of the English local elections, the campaign for equality in Ireland's upcoming local elections, and, of course, the big announcement of the UK general election on July 4th and what it means for local government. Joining them to get into all the details is LGIU's resident election expert, Dr Greg Stride.

In the news segment, the stories include eco-friendly travel tourism cards, wind phones and advertisement-free metro stations.

Some upcoming topics to look out for on the LGIU website include ethical procurement and how AI can improve regulatory duties.

Add to your calendar the following events and training:

Show notes:

⁠⁠For even more local government resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lgiu.org

In this new episode, co-hosts Simone and Freya discuss the LGIU's Global Local newsletter, from its beginnings to how it's grown, and what it represents as part of LGIU's vision for the future of local government everywhere.

In the news segment, the stories include innovation using old tyres in road construction, modernising processes with digital credential services and affordable balcony solar panel schemes.

Some upcoming topics to look out for on the LGIU website include the evolving role of modern fathers, combating depopulation issues and ethical procurement.

Add to your calendar the following events and training:

Show notes:

⁠For even more local government resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠lgiu.org

In this new episode, co-hosts Simone and Freya discuss the LGIU's Global Local Executive Panel series. They are joined by Head of International Operations, Hannah Muirhead, to talk about the panel series' inception back during Covid, the overwhelmingly positive response it has received over the years, and the future ambitions for the panels.

In the news segment, stories of garbage cafes, chatbots to help decision making during elections, and road infrastructure improvements.

Some upcoming topics to look out for on the LGIU website, include sustainable and affordable housing, the evolving role of fathers and depopulation.

Be sure to sign up for the next Global Local Executive Panel on sustainable and affordable housing, and check out our upcoming training session on social media skills.

Show notes:

For even more local government resources, visit ⁠lgiu.org⁠