Last month’s local elections brought a wider spectrum of politicians than ever into local power. As the dust settles and new administrations take office, this episode of the Local Authority, recorded before a live audience at New Local’s Stronger Things conference, examines what comes next for public services.

Joining acting LGC editor Martin George are John Denham, former communities secretary and director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics at Southampton University, Grace Pollard, head of policy and insights at New Local, and Wietse Van Ransbeeck, CEO and co-founder of Go Vocal.

With around half of councils having declared the results of their elections, the LGC team analyses the main themes that have developed so far. Acting editor Martin George is joined by head of news Kirsty Weakley, chief reporter Caitlin Webb and finance and devolution reporter Elliot Topham.

[Published 16:00 on Friday 08 May 2026 - results correct at time of recording]

With more than 5,000 seats up for grabs across English councils in May, this episode of The Local Authority examines what the elections could mean for the major parties, the rise of Reform and the Greens, and what the results might tell us about the state of British democracy.

LGC news editor Kirsty Weakley is joined by elections expert Colin Rallings and Polly Curtis, chief executive of cross-party think tank Demos, to explore projections for Labour and Conservative seat losses, the growing role of independent candidates and residents' associations, and the extent to which fragmented multi-party politics has made traditional swing analysis obsolete. The panel also discusses whether these elections feel less like a verdict on the current government and more like a broader expression of public disillusionment with the political system as a whole.

Metro mayors are the poster boys for devolution, but councils have a vital but often unappreciated role in combined authorities – soon to be renamed strategic authorities. With the government planning to ‘complete the map’ of devolution in England and reform how strategic authorities operate, this episode of the Local Authority podcast examines the relationship between strategic authorities and their constituent councils.

Acting editor Martin George is joined by Mark Rogers, associate director of the Leadership Centre, who has led teams establishing three new combined authorities, and Akash Paun, a programme director at the Institute for Government, where he leads the institute’s devolution programme.

Millions of people rely on social care every day, but it has long been a service in crisis with soaring demand, workforce shortages and inadequate funding, putting ever greater pressure on council finances. Against this backdrop, the Labour government was elected on a promise to set up a National Care Service.

In this episode, acting editor Martin George is joined by former care minister Paul Burstow, who now chairs the Social Care Institute for Excellence, and Andy Harrop, a director at Public First who as general secretary of the Fabian Society wrote a report for the Labour party setting out a roadmap to a National Care Service, to explore what a National Care Service could look like in practice, and how it could change the role of councils.

There has been a growing focus on neighbourhood working in local government for several years and now everybody seems to be talking about neighbourhoods. Last year the prime minister announced a £5bn investment in neighbourhoods, the NHS is rolling out neighbourhood health partnerships and all councils are going to be required to introduce neighbourhood governance arrangements.

In this episode of The Local Authority, LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by Jon Rouse, chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and member of the National Commission on Neighbourhoods and Madeleine Jennings, head of policy and comms at Local Trust to discuss why it has become such a political buzzword.

More than 165,000 children are currently estimated to be living in temporary accommodation as more and more families find themselves homeless. This often means living in unsuitable accommodation or moving away from friends and family for periods that most would not consider temporary. Councils are struggling to keep up with demand and the crisis is putting severe pressure on their budgets.

In this episode of The Local Authority, the podcast from LGC, recorded before the government published its homelessness strategy at the end of last year, we explore what can be done to alleviate the situation and provide relief for families and council budgets.

Head of content Kirsty Weakley is joined by Tom Stannard, chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Laura Neilson chief executive of the Shared Health Foundation and Jamie Carswell,  director of housing and safer communities at Greenwich RBC.

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.