I had a fantastic experience sitting down with Alison North - Deputy Chief Executive at Director Internal Operations at Somerset West and Taunton Council. She has a really interesting proposition, change and continuous improvement is most effective when you focus on specific and detailed outcomes, that are simple. If you do this both members and officers can work together to bring together some really exciting outcomes.

A fantastic way to start the week! Sitting down with Eugene Minogue - Executive Director of Play England and Local Government Executive Interim Consultant to discuss the causation behind the decline of playgrounds in the UK and the solutions to resolving this important issue.

Really interesting discussion with Peter Holt, Chief Executive at Uttlesford District Council exploring the 2023 National Risk Register. We explore national trends, the local challenges Uttlesford face and discuss the need for clear communication from central government.

It was great to sit down with Chris O'Brien today - Recruitment Manager at Derbyshire County Council to talk about his journey and the way in which Derbyshire approaches recruitment to attract the best talent.

S114s, what are they? What has been done to prevent them and what do we need to do moving forwards?

On this weeks weekly update, we look at:

• The four day working week
• The infrastructure levy journey through the house of lords
• The housing crisis
• The importance of local economy development
• The Illegal Migration Act
• The Asylum hotels plea

Today I spoke with Kelsie Wall to explore the role that SEN Caseworkers have in local government. Really interesting episode, particularly regarding the cost of engaging independent schools to step in where there are not enough spaces within local authority run schools.

In this weeks round up, we are going to be examining a few key issues that have been taking place this week:- Fresh blow to Whitehall homes pledge after funding recalled- ICB staff cuts may hit “wider work with local partners”- More councils reveal cash woes- Seriously flawed proposals – ministers should drop the infrastructure levy and work with councils to improve the current system.- Councils kept in the dark over pandemic simulation exercise.- Shining a light on Wiltshire Council’s approach to housing refugees and the wider challenge of offering suitable long term housing for other desperately in need.

It was really exciting to sit down with Mark Watkins, Interim Director of Law for a number of councils, to discuss the challenges facing local authorities legal services at the present time.

We wanted to share why the Truth About Local Government podcast and platform was created.