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:

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:

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:

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