Sitting down with Cllr Keith Girling, who is currently the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management at Nottinghamshire County Council, it is clear to see why Nottinghamshire has the second highest rate of gold star employers of the Armed Forces Covenant scheme. Keith served for 18 years in the Grenadier Guards as a Colour Sergeant and his passion on ensuring armed forces workers are not disadvantaged is a role he not only enjoys and is passionate about, but is a fantastic template for all other councils in the UK as to how they can take the steps to ensuring armed forces workers are not disadvantaged due to their service.

He currently represents the Newark West Division and he is the Armed Forces Champion for Nottinghamshire.

This episode focuses on Keith's role as Armed forces champion and we discussed the following specific points.

1. Discuss the covenant and what it means to councils
2. How different councils interpret the covenant
3. and how councils within Nottinghamshire could better work together so that where ever you live you get the same treatment.

Andy Sharp, Director of Social Care, Health & Housing at Central Bedfordshire provides some really insightful observations into the challenges and pressures local authorities are facing in local government. We talked prioritisation of spend and the new regulatory changes to adult social services. Central Bedfordshire are doing some great work to invest now into their care facilities to help reduce future stress on the service and system in the future.

Sitting down with Lawrence Conway, the former Chief Executive at South Lakeland District Council, talking about the need for fundamental transformational change within local government. The factors that need to be addressed before true change can take place and why change has not been wide spread engaged with at this point in local government.

Today I spoke with Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth at Brent Council. Vice Chair of London Labour Regional Board. LGA Resources Board Member. LGA Labour Peer. We covered in todays episode:

• Why housing is a critical issue and setting the scene
• Difficulties councils face - austerity; policy; expectations
• What needs to change in planning and the housing sector
• Why housing is political minefield
• What Brent is getting right that others can learn from.

A bit about Shama. When my parents came to this country, they had everything thrown at them. They believed that in society we all look after each other and that if someone fell we should be there to help them stand again.I remember being told at school that I could not pursue the career I wanted because of who I am and where I was from. That gave me the determination to have my voice heard and that of other young people.Labour transformed my life. Better school buildings, getting into university and working as a teacher where every child did matter. Sure Start helped me when I needed it most, my daughter getting on the savings ladder with the Child Trust Fund and my late husband receiving outstanding cancer care.My story will be not that different from the thousands of families in Watford. People who just want the opportunity and chance to do better, to get on.As a Labour councillor for 8 years, I have helped shape and deliver a Labour Manifesto. With very little, we have been able to create great things. Making a difference to people.From new council homes, to building new medical centres, special schools and adult education centres. Supporting local businesses, high streets and creating employment opportunities. But more importantly, people have a voice and involvement in the decisions that impact their lives. That is what Labour can do in power.Our communities need a Labour government. Watford needs a Labour MP. Someone who will fight for its NHS and hospital, for better public transport, for affordable housing and protections for leaseholders.I work hard for residents. I campaign all year round speaking to voters, addressing their concerns and being their voice. I will be a Labour MP that will work with all our members, our councillors and all communities.

Today we sat down with Mark Davies, Chief Executive at Lancaster City Council. Mark started his career in the public sector as a building cleaner. He has progressed through roles that always focused on delivering better outcomes. He believes we have a massive part to play in addressing climate change and tackling the inequalities that exist in our communities. In his role he works with Elected Members, our dedicated staff, residents and partners to show the positive difference Local Government can make.We explored in todays episode:

• Why work for a Council?
• The different entry routes available to local government.
• What’s the difference we as a local authority can make?
• The ambition Lancaster has to tackle climate change.

I was struck by how humble and passionate Mark was. He is the perfect example of how a positive attitude and a true belief in the importance of public service can lead to a rewarding and stimulating career in local government.

Energetic, pragmatic and passionate. That is how I would describe Megan's approach to securing the best possible outcomes for local government and how to succeed in local government. A bright star to watch out for!

Really enjoyed sitting down with Richard Auger former Leader of Daventry District Council and County Council representative for former Northamptonshire County Council. A well rounded conversation that can be summarised by stating, "local government politics is about cross party, shared purpose, but cross party politics."

Fantastic to sit down with Andrew Pollard former Chief Exec of two LATCOs - Place Partnership in the Midlands and BD Group in London. We explored what LATCOs are, the pitfalls and challenges councils face setting up and running LATCOs; and, the opportunities that exist utilising LATCOs.

Former Cllr Roy Perry formed the Vision for Hampshire 2050 Commission of Inquiry during his time as Leader of Hampshire County Council and now continues to be Chair and represents the Division of Romsey Rural.Roy was first elected to Hampshire County Council in 2005 and was Leader of the County Council from May 2013 to May 2019. From 2010-2013 he was Executive Lead Member for Childrens Services. Hampshire, with a population of 1.3 million is the third most populous county in Britain with a County Council budget of approximately £2bn p.a.From 1979 - 1995 he was a member of Test Valley Borough Council, Chairman of Planning from 1983 -1985, and Leader between 1985 - 1994.At a national level he is Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People Board of the Local Government Association.From 1994 to 2004, he was a Member of the European Parliament, initially for Wight and Hampshire South and then as one of the 11 MEPs for South East England. He was Conservative spokesman on the Parliament Culture and Education Committee and Vice President of the Petitions Committee.We talked all things local government episode. Roy was honest and articulate gave some really interesting insights.

Sitting down today with Robin Porter, Chief Executive at Luton Council, his passion and commitment to improving the lives of the people was clear to see. The council is leading the town-wide vision to ensure that by 2040 Luton is to be a healthy, fair and sustainable town, where everyone can thrive and no-one has to live in poverty.This Luton 2040 vision has been created by residents and partners across our town and was first launched in October 2020. The first phase of the vision was focussed on responding to the immediate challenges we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.Over the past few years businesses, public sector, voluntary and community sector organisations, as well as residents, have worked together to overcome these challenges and lay the foundations for us to achieve this shared long term vision.