The Local Authority Podcast

The October episode of The Local Authority will explore the relationship between climate change and local government, ahead of the upcoming COP26 event in Glasgow this year. 

September brings with it a brand new episode of The Local Authority Podcast as Nick Golding, the editor of LGC leads a conversation about 'Levelling Up'. What is it, what does it mean, and what would we like it to mean?

Joining Nick this month is the chief executive of St Helen's Council, Kath O'Dwyer, the leader of the council at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and FutureGov's principal consultant, Adam Walther.

The group talk all things 'levelling up'. Is the sheer number of funding streams available to councils a problem? Does 'levelling up' policy fairly reflect the varied challenges faced in different areas of the country? What would we like for the phrase to mean and what are the direct impacts of it for people in their places and communities? 

All this and more is on the table in this month's episode of the podcast.

In this month’s episode of The Local Authority, editor of Local Government Chronicle Nick Golding speaks to panellists about the ‘New Normal’.

What have we learned from the pandemic and how will that inform the future? How will councils manage the impact of rapidly changing restrictions and ‘waves’ of lockdown.  How do councils best deal with lengthy periods of turbulence in our ‘new normal’ world. 

All of this and more is on the table for our guests. They are; Ian Thomas, chief executive of Kingston-upon-Thames LBC, Carolyn Wilkins, chief executive at Oldham MBC, and Jen Byrne – Deputy CEO at FutureGov.

Episode one of the Local Government Chronicle and FutureGov podcast has landed!

Our host, editor of LGC Nick Golding and his guests discuss this month’s topic: democracy and remote meetings.

Together, our panel discuss the pro’s and cons of remote meetings: what has local government done well throughout the pandemic and what could we all do better on? We hear some feedback from the ‘ground’ in Wigan, and hear first-hand about the ways in which emerging technologies could be used in future local government meetings, both physically and digitally. The future of hybrid is also up for discussion, alongside the importance of choice and local council impact – does Jackie Weaver’s recent BRIT Awards appearance herald in a new era of local government influence?

Remember to subscribe to have the latest episode of this podcast delivered to your device upon release each month. Like what you’ve heard? Leave us a 5 star review wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also listen to Jackie Weaver’s new podcast. Just search “Jackie Weaver has the authority” on your podcast platform. 

The Local Authority is a monthly podcast by Local Government Chronicle and FutureGov. 

LGC is the leading title for senior local government officers, and the authoritative voice of the sector. To subscribe to LGC for full online and print access go to LGCPlus.com. 

FutureGov is a change agency, on a mission to build 21st-century public sector institutions that are catalysts for change in the internet and climate era, to radically improve outcomes for communities.  For more information go to wearefuturegov.com.

Hear from host Nick Golding, Editor of Local Government Chronicle, on what The Local Authority Podcast is all about.

Each month LGC will assemble a panel of industry leaders to discuss one of the key topics in the future of local government.

The first episode will be released on 09 June and will feature Jackie Weaver from THAT parish council Zoom meeting which went viral, and Alison McKenzie-Folan from Wigan MBC - with the episode focusing on democracy and remote meetings.