Our World Is Local

In this episode of Our World Is Local, Heather Jameson and Nick Kilby are joined by Greg Hurst, Director of Communications and Public Engagement at the Centre for Homelessness Impact, for an in-depth discussion about the growing homelessness crisis, the pressures facing local government and the need to shift from crisis management towards prevention.

Heather and Nick begin by reflecting on the mood at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, where cautious optimism was accompanied by concerns about public finances, local government reorganisation and the pace of devolution. They discuss the government's longer-term ambitions for reform and the growing political focus on homelessness, particularly the commitment to tackling rough sleeping and improving outcomes for vulnerable families.

The conversation then turns to the scale of the homelessness challenge. Greg highlights the rising number of families living in temporary accommodation and the significant financial pressures this places on councils, with spending reaching £2.9 billion in the last financial year. He explores the wider consequences for children and families, from disrupted education and poorer health outcomes to the long-term impact of housing insecurity across generations.

A central theme of the discussion is the need to move away from expensive emergency responses and invest in earlier intervention. Greg argues that preventing homelessness requires a more joined-up approach across housing, health, education, employment and other public services. He outlines how practical measures, including debt advice, rent support, landlord mediation and better use of council data, could help identify households at risk before they reach crisis point.

The discussion also considers the pressures facing housing officers and local authority teams, who are increasingly required to respond to immediate emergencies with limited resources and accommodation options. Greg stresses the importance of creating space for innovation, experimentation and evidence-based decision-making, highlighting examples of councils using data to identify financial vulnerability and testing new approaches to prevention.

Devolution and local government reorganisation feature prominently, with Heather, Nick and Greg exploring whether the creation of larger strategic authorities could provide an opportunity to redesign public services around people's needs. Greg discusses work taking place across London, Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region, where regional collaboration is helping to develop more coordinated approaches to homelessness prevention. They consider how councils, combined authorities and wider public services could work together more effectively rather than operating in separate organisational silos.

The conversation also examines public attitudes towards homelessness and the challenge of building support for preventative measures, which are often less visible than emergency interventions. Greg argues that demonstrating the effectiveness of prevention through robust evaluation will be essential to changing how resources are allocated and how success is measured.

The episode concludes with Heather and Nick reflecting on whether the current programme of local government reform offers a genuine opportunity to transform the way public services respond to homelessness. While recognising the financial and organisational pressures facing councils, they consider whether a more integrated, preventative and evidence-led system could deliver better outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

Further reading and research

For those interested in exploring the evidence behind homelessness prevention and support, Greg shares two pieces of research from the Centre for Homelessness Impact.

The first is a short paper, Support for Families Living in Temporary Accommodation, which brings together international evidence on how families in temporary housing can be better supported, including through counselling, healthcare and wellbeing services.

The second is a research project examining the impact of providing an unconditional £2,000 cash payment to young people leaving local authority care. The study found improved housing stability, enhanced wellbeing and reduced contact with the criminal justice system among those receiving the payment, offering further insight into how targeted, evidence-led interventions can improve outcomes for vulnerable young people.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode of Our World Is Local, Heather Jameson and Nick Kilby are joined by Catherine Howe, Chief Executive of Dorset Council, for a wide-ranging discussion about civility in public life, devolution and the changing relationship between citizens and the state.

Heather and Nick begin by reflecting on a politically eventful summer and the new Prime Minister’s early approach to government. They discuss the growing focus on devolution, the development of “Number 10 North” and plans to place civil servants within combined authorities, questioning whether this will genuinely shift power away from Whitehall or simply recreate central government at a regional level.

The conversation then turns to civility in public life. Catherine explores how social media, changing social norms and an increasingly transactional relationship with public services have altered the way people interact with politicians, councillors and public servants. She argues that rebuilding trust will require a more human and relational approach from the state, alongside clearer expectations about respectful public debate.

They consider the pressures facing councillors and officers, from hostility on social media to increasingly confrontational council and planning meetings. Catherine discusses the importance of protocols, good manners and clear “rules of engagement”, while stressing that civility should not prevent robust challenge or legitimate public anger.

Technology and AI also feature prominently, with Catherine arguing that digital tools should be used to free staff to spend more time helping people rather than making public services increasingly faceless. The discussion considers whether empowering frontline staff to take ownership of problems could help rebuild a more personal relationship between citizens and public services.

Finally, the episode looks at the wider “rewiring of the state”. Catherine discusses the skills strategic authorities will need, the role of civil servants and whether the current devolution programme is sufficiently clear about what should be delivered nationally, regionally and locally. She argues that genuine reform may require a much broader conversation about the future purpose and design of local government itself.

The episode concludes with Heather and Nick reflecting on the scale of change ahead and the need to ensure that reforms to devolution, strategic authorities and local government ultimately fit together as a coherent system.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode of Our World Is Local, recorded ahead of the LGA Conference in Bournemouth, Heather Jameson and Nick Kilby are joined by Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, following the authority being named Local Authority of the Year at the 2026 MJ Awards.

Heather and Nick begin by reflecting on a period of major political change and what it could mean for local government. They discuss the pressures facing an incoming administration, including defence spending, the autumn Budget, council funding, housing and planning, as well as the prospect of greater fiscal devolution.

Local government reorganisation is a central theme. They consider whether the current programme has gone too far to be reversed, while questioning whether councils, government departments and advisers have the capacity to deliver such significant change within the proposed timetable.

The conversation then turns to the MJ Awards, with Rob explaining what the Local Authority of the Year title means for North Lincolnshire Council and its staff. He reflects on the council’s people-focused approach, its work across children’s services, adult social care and public health, and the importance of recognising frontline employees.

Rob also argues that councils should be more confident in celebrating success and explaining the wider value of local government beyond bins and potholes.

The episode concludes with a look ahead to the LGA Conference, including the challenges facing the organisation, political change across the sector and the importance of bringing the local government family together at a time of considerable uncertainty.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode, Heather Jameson and Nick Kilby are joined by Graham Farrant, former Chief Executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, to explore the realities of delivering one of the UK's largest local government reorganisations. 

Drawing on his experience leading the creation of BCP Council, Graham shares practical lessons on what it really takes to bring multiple authorities together. From programme management and political change to service integration, IT systems and organisational culture, he offers a candid account of the challenges and opportunities that come with creating a new council.

With local government reorganisation gathering pace across England, the discussion examines the importance of investing in programme management, managing workforce and financial pressures, harmonising services, and maintaining day-to-day operations while delivering transformational change. Graham also reflects on how events such as the COVID-19 pandemic tested the resilience of a newly formed authority and why councils embarking on reorganisation should view it as a long-term opportunity rather than a short-term exercise.

An insightful conversation for anyone involved in local government, devolution or organisational transformation, packed with practical advice for councils preparing for the next wave of local government reorganisation.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

As Reform sweeps county halls, the Greens surge across London and Labour faces tough questions in its traditional heartlands, this special Local Elections edition of Our World Is Local dives deep into one of the most dramatic local election nights in recent memory.

Hosts Nick and Heather are joined by Cratus Group’s Charlotte Platten and Harriet Shone to unpack the big winners, the bruising losses, the rise of coalition politics and what it all means for the future of local government, housing delivery and devolution.

From Reform UK’s breakthrough in places like Kent and Essex to the Conservatives’ surprisingly strong performance in London boroughs including Westminster, Bromley and Bexley, the panel explores why some political narratives held and why others collapsed completely.

The episode also tackles:

• The growing influence of the Green Party in London
• Whether Reform can transition from protest movement to governing party
• The political fallout of Birmingham’s bin crisis
• Housing battles in Barnet, Enfield and across the capital
• Tactical voting, fragile coalitions and the rise of “kingmaker” councillors
• Why local government needs more vision, hope and leadership
• The warning signs for Labour ahead of the next General Election

And underpinning it all is a stark reminder: while political maps may change overnight, councils still face the daily challenge of delivering the basics, from bins and potholes to housing and temporary accommodation for thousands of children.

If you care about politics, placemaking, councils or the future direction of the country, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode, hosts Nick Kilby and Heather Jameson are joined by Jonathan Stephenson, Chief Executive of Brentwood and Rochford Councils, for a candid conversation on the challenges shaping local government today, from election uncertainty and devolution delays to capacity pressures and declining trust in the system.

Alongside the politics and policy, the episode shines a light on something more personal: the Public Sector Challenge. What began as a mission to raise money for cancer charities has grown into a nationwide movement focused on wellbeing, connection and community across the sector.

Jonathan shares how the challenge has evolved - from the iconic Three Peaks to the growing programme of events including the London Bridges Walk, regional community challenges, and even the ambitious new Ultra Challenge, taking on five peaks across the UK and Ireland in just 48 hours. With over 850 people tackling the peaks, 1,000 crossing London’s bridges, and more than £400,000 raised, the impact is already significant.

More than just fundraising, it’s about getting people moving, talking, and reconnecting with why they came into public service in the first place.

An honest, insightful and ultimately uplifting episode about leadership, resilience, and the power of collective action in challenging times.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode of Our World is Local, Nick Kilby and Heather Jameson are joined by Kath O’Dwyer, Chair of Solace and former Chief Executive of St Helens, for a wide-ranging and candid discussion about leadership, culture and the future of local government.

Recorded back in November 2025, Kath draws on more than four decades in the sector, reflects on what it really means to be a modern chief executive, why the role has fundamentally changed post-austerity and post-COVID, and why humility, curiosity and personal development are now essential leadership traits. The conversation explores the pressures facing senior officers, the evolving relationship between politicians and officers, and the challenges of governing in an increasingly politicised and digital environment.

With local government reorganisation accelerating across England, the episode also dives into what often gets overlooked: organisational culture, capacity, talent retention and the realities of building brand-new councils from scratch. From vesting day myths to lanyard amnesties, this is an honest, insightful and occasionally irreverent look at the state of local government today – and what it will take to make the next chapter work.

Essential listening for anyone navigating leadership, change and complexity in the public sector.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

Nick and Heather are back in this latest episode of Our World is Local.

For this special episode, they sit down with the formidable Theresa Grant OBE, whose 47-year career in local government has seen her lead councils through some of the most challenging reorganisations in recent memory.

Theresa shares unflinching insights on local government reform, leadership, and the 21 new reorganisation areas now underway - warning against glossy business cases, talent shortages, and political short-termism. Drawing on her experience in Northamptonshire, Liverpool, and Greater Manchester, she explains why transformation must go hand-in-hand with reorganisation, and how real leadership means taking accountability, not avoiding hard decisions.

A must-listen for anyone navigating the future of local government - packed with honesty, experience, and sharp lessons from one of the sector’s most respected voices.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode of Our World is Local, we’re joined by Rachel McKoy, Director of Law and Governance (and Monitoring Officer) at the London Borough of Newham. Rachel lifts the lid on one of local government’s most vital but often least understood roles — from upholding the constitution and navigating political pressures, to protecting democratic integrity in a world of social media pile-ons and anonymous complaints.

Nick and Heather explore Rachel’s reflections on leadership, kindness, and the quiet strength it takes to stand your ground when the going gets tough. We also hear about Rachel’s passion for running, the joy of movement, and how she stays resilient while holding the legal line in one of London’s busiest councils.

This is a conversation about power, responsibility, and why the best monitoring officers are equal parts legal expert, moral compass — and marathon runner.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode of Our World is Local, Heather Jameson is joined by guest co-host Dan Humphreys, Cratus Group, for a deep dive into the hot topic dominating local government reorganisation. Together with special guest Simon Kaye, Policy Director at the think tank Reform, they explore the competing visions for future council structures, the tug-of-war between county and district authorities, and the thorny issue of scale versus locality.

From boundary battles in Rutland to bold thinking on economies of context, this episode unpacks the political, practical, and cultural challenges facing local government reform. We also reflect on the roles of councillors, mayors, and strategic authorities in shaping public services and what true local leadership could look like in a reshaped system. 

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.