Truth about Local Government

Ian Knowles, the Chief Executive Officer at West Lindsey District Council, has been instrumental in shaping the council’s vision and driving positive change.

Today we discussed the following questions:

1 – How does your approach to Digital Strategy differ from what you have done in the past?

2 – How have you ensured that your system implementation has been successful?

3 – How does your Executive Business Plan make a difference?

4 – What did you do differently in your approach to ex RAF Scampton?

Under Ian’s leadership, West Lindsey District Council has established a clear strategic framework. This framework focuses on three key themes: "our council, our people, and our place".

Ian Knowles embodies the spirit of transformation, and his commitment to West Lindsey District Council’s success is evident. His leadership ensures that the council remains passionate, proactive, open, and honest in serving its community.

In their recently adopted Digital ICT Vision, West Lindsey District Council aims to enable modern, high-quality services that meet the needs of both customers and staff. Their vision focuses on creating a customer-focused council through people-led change, operating in a thriving digital environment. The council’s approach includes leveraging Microsoft Office corporate tools, SugarCRM, and an increasing use of robotic process automation, AI, and integrations.

This forward-thinking approach sets them apart from traditional digital strategies, as they prioritize adaptability and openness to opportunities in the modern digital world. Overall, West Lindsey District Council’s commitment to digital transformation is commendable, and it’s exciting to see how their efforts will continue to benefit their community!

Thank you to our sponsors Local Partnerships LLP. Local Partnerships is an in-house public sector consultancy jointly owned by the LGA, HM Treasury and Welsh Government. We work solely for central government departments, the Welsh Government, councils and combined authorities.

Local Partnerships delivers value and efficacy for the public purse. As a key interface between local and central government, we provide expert advice and practical resources alongside project and programme delivery support, enabling public services to thrive.

Whether supporting and accelerating the delivery of major infrastructure, tackling climate challenges through waste efficiency and renewable energy propositions through to wider place-making initiatives, we help transform services across the public sector ecosystem.

Today we sat down with Jackie Weaver, Chief Officer at Cheshire Association of Local Councils. Jackie shot to stardom in 2021, when she became a global superstar after she was called in to moderate a Handforth Parish Council Zoom meeting in the absence of the clerk. Greeted with difficult parish councillors, one famously declaring “you have no authority here Jackie Weaver.”

The viral video provided an opportunity to shine a light on parish and town councils and the important role they provide.

Today we discussed navigating civic apathy: unravelling behaviour Challenges affecting Local Government.

A honest conversation which had the following key takeaways:

1) The education system needs to provide children with an understanding as to how democracy works at a local level

2) Bad behaviour needs to be called and not tolerated straight away.

3) We need a new label to describe the 25-45 year old bracket, whom we are not attempting to engage with in local government, the term “young people” can be misleading as it normally draws the listener to the 16-20 year old bracket.

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Dickens, the Assistant Director Planning & Building Control at Manchester City Council.

Mark shares insights into the critical role of building control within the city, emphasizing why it’s an exciting and impactful career path.

At present there are two exciting vacancies within the Building Control Team. One leading the entire building control function, and one managing one of the two teams.

Mark talked with passion why Manchester is a brilliant place to work and why anyone working in Building Control should look at the opportunities within Manchester.

Today I sat down with the Founder of The Balance Collective, Clara Wilcox to discuss the actions both employees and employers can take so that parents can have a positive return to work.

We covered in our conversation:

• What issues do you find that parents have when they return to work?
• How do parents feel about returning?
• How does the current cost of living crisis impact parents’ choices?
• What is the best practice?
• Why it’s important to have equity for return-to-work support – considering those who have breaks for bereavement, other caring responsibility, health needs.
• What you can do to support parents before they return (and before they leave!)
• The importance of a return-to-work induction and how to plan it.

Clara Wilcox can be reached at [email protected]

Thank you to RPNA for their continued support.

Suzanne Malcolm is a passionate Place professional, who is currently Deputy Chief Executive - Place at South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.

Suzanne talked through the challenges of delivering net zero in local government,

We discussed how local government has stepped up to the challenge of reducing carbon from its own operations, despite the difficulties and delays in central government.

Finally, we looked to the future and to the significant challenges councils must overcome in order to get to net zero as councils and as places.

Today we sat down with Colin Copus to discuss the role of the Councillor; and how this is changed and how there is arguably insufficient resource available to Councilors.

We then talked through the piece of work that Colin wrote for the LGiU a ‘manifesto for councillors’ https://lgiu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/A-Manifesto-for-Councillors-Colin-Copus-paper.pdf

Abigail Witting leads on the wellness strategy for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, as their People and Culture Manager. Todays episode is all about providing an insight the practical steps you can take to create and maintain a culture of wellness. We also explored the importance of wellness and the consequences. A brave and honest insight that Abigail provided.

Thank you to Local Partnerships LLP for their ongoing support of the podcast and platform.

Always a pleasure to sit down with Tim Jenkins, our Culture and Heritage Specialist Advisor. Today Tim helped us break down how to secure external funding. Specifically we discussed: scoping the project, choosing the right funder, complete the application and project implementation and evaluation.

Beth Horsley, is a Partner in Page Executive, specialising in permanent and interim technology recruitment. We sat down to discuss the challenges and solutions to the hunt for interim and permanent talent in IT in the public sector.

Sitting down with Chief Executive of Test Valley Borough Council, Andy Ferrier, we discussed "how to promote and protect democracy in local government" in this honest and interesting conversation that provides constructive advice to leaders throughout the sector on this important topic.