Truth about Local Government

In this episode of Truth About Local Government, Matt Masters sits down with Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, to explore the city’s ambitious plans for infrastructure, regeneration, and inclusive growth. Mike shares his personal journey into politics, the values that guide his leadership, and the council’s vision for a “cleaner, safer and fairer” Hull.

Listeners will hear about:

• Hull’s £42 million infrastructure investment plan and the push for government support
• Key regeneration projects transforming the city’s public spaces and connectivity
• Cultural investment and how Hull is building on its legacy as UK City of Culture
• The challenges of leading a city with unique geographical and financial pressures
• Mike’s reflections on the mayoral campaign and the future of devolution in East Yorkshire

This episode offers a candid look at civic leadership, strategic planning, and the power of place-based transformation. Whether you're a local government professional, a Hull resident, or simply curious about how cities evolve, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

Transformation is often seen as the fix for inefficiencies and budget pressures in local government, but many programmes fail to deliver lasting change. In this episode, Claire Symonds, Ashley Roper, and Meena Kishinani explore why.

• Claire Symonds (ex-Redbridge CEO) argues that transformation must be a continuous mindset, not a time-limited project. She highlights how vital leadership is in successful transformations.
• Ashley Roper (RPNA) warns against tech-led change without clear outcomes. He stresses the need for upfront assessments of systems, citizen needs, and staff engagement, noting only 17% of public sector digital efforts are seen as fully successful.
• Meena Kishinani (ex-Birmingham and Barking & Dagenham) focuses on the human side. She emphasises the importance of strong governance, staff buy-in, and leadership that can sustain change beyond individual tenures. Her work on the “Different” programme highlights the value of diverse leadership.

Sector-wide data shows digital strategy implementation is regressing, with only 16% of councils completing theirs in 2025. Systemic issues data silos, political instability, and resistance to change, continue to hinder transformation at scale.

In this episode we sit down with Alexander Mileman, Founder of Achieving for Action to explore the transformative potential of the Social Care Value Index project. They discuss how local authorities are sitting on a goldmine of data that could radically improve outcomes in social care if only it were used more effectively. From identifying what truly works to exposing inefficiencies, this conversation challenges the sector to rethink how it measures value and impact. Alexander shares insights from the project, the barriers to better data use, and what needs to change to unlock smarter, more compassionate care. If you are a Director of Adult Social Services or a S151 Officer looking for savings, and a strategy that is evidenced based, this is one for you.

In this episode, we speak with Councillor Cameron Holloway, the Leader of Cambridge City Council, about the exciting developments and pressing challenges facing one of the UK’s most iconic cities. From government-backed growth ambitions to acute infrastructure constraints, Holloway shares his vision for a fairer, greener Cambridge. We explore how the council is tackling poverty, protecting the environment, and ensuring that residents have a real say in shaping their city’s future. With national attention focused on Cambridge, this conversation offers a timely insight into leadership, values-led development, and the importance of democratic accountability in local government.

This special crossover episode features Matt Masters, host of The Truth About Local Government, in conversation with Kirsty Hunt, host of Governance Matters a podcast produced by South East Employers that explores the building blocks of good governance in local government.

In Season 2, Episode 5, Matt interviews Kirsty to unpack the concept of incremental creep the slow, often unnoticed erosion of governance standards in councils. The discussion explores how small compromises in transparency, decision-making, and accountability can accumulate into systemic risk and public distrust.

Kirsty shares six warning signs of incremental creep:

1. Cultural complacency (“That’s how we’ve always done it”)
2. Leadership turnover and loss of institutional memory
3. Weak scrutiny and challenge
4. Over-reliance on individuals
5. Informal decision-making
6. Poor record-keeping

The episode also highlights the importance of:

• Empowering statutory officers (the “Golden Triangle”)
• Councillor induction and development
• External reviews and peer learning
• Resident engagement and democratic health KPIs

“Expose it. Give it nowhere to hide.” – Kirsty Hunt “Is there incremental creep in your governance? And if so, what are you going to do about it?” – Matt Masters

This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in or with local government who wants to strengthen governance before crisis hits.

In this energising episode of The Truth About Local Government, Matthew Masters speaks with Jonathan Stephenson, Chief Executive of Brentwood Borough and Rochford District Councils, and the driving force behind the Public Sector Challenge. Together, they explore:

• The origins and evolution of the Public Sector Challenge as a movement for wellbeing, resilience and connection.
• Lessons from merging two councils without shared boundaries — and why culture, communication and shared systems matter.
• The opportunities and risks of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including digital transformation, supplier relationships, and harmonising terms and conditions.
• How to build capacity for innovation in a sector under pressure — and why collaboration must become the default.
• The importance of transparency, trust and values-led leadership in shaping high-performing public services.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating change in local government or seeking inspiration on how to lead with purpose and courage.

In this episode, Matthew Masters sits down with Joe Fyans, Head of Research at Localis, to discuss Ride the Wave a major new project supported by CIPFA and Core Cities. The report explores how local authorities can balance the government’s push for locally led growth with the need for fiscal responsibility, especially in the context of urban renewal and investment risk.

Joe also shares a preview of two upcoming Localis projects: one on digital integration during local authority mergers, and another exploring the intersection of devolution and digital public services. Together, these initiatives paint a picture of how local government can lead the next wave of reform smart, strategic, and digitally enabled.

In this episode, we had the privilege of interviewing Hannah Dalton, Independent Councillor and Leader of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, to explore the unique and often underappreciated role of independent councillors in the UK’s local government system. They discuss the challenges of operating outside party politics, the opportunities for community-led decision-making, and how independents can shape policy, culture, and collaboration in councils.

In this episode, we speak with Sara Harrup, Executive Coach for Neurodivergent Professionals, Board Chair, Non-Executive Director, and Inclusive Governance Expert. As an openly autistic ADHDer, Sara brings lived experience and professional insight into how neurodivergent leaders can thrive in high-pressure environments.

We explore her coaching practice, her governance work, and her advocacy for neuroinclusive leadership. Sara shares practical strategies for local authorities to better support neurodivergent staff, especially those in senior roles, and discusses her downloadable resource Performance Enhancers for Neurodivergent Directors and Executives. We also touch on her writing, including contributions to thought leadership on neurodivergent governance and leadership, and her upcoming book projects that aim to reshape how organisations understand and support different kinds of minds.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building inclusive, high-performing teams in local government.

In this episode we sit down with Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, to explore the borough’s bold regeneration plans, recent service improvements, and the challenges of modern civic leadership. Arooj shares her personal journey into politics, the values driving her leadership, and how Oldham is tackling identity politics, financial pressures, and community cohesion head-on. Listeners will gain insight into:

• The transformation of Oldham’s town centre and housing strategy
• Improvements in children’s services and future ambitions
• Navigating political turbulence and building resilience
• Tackling budget constraints while protecting vulnerable residents
• Arooj’s vision for inclusive leadership and community empowerment

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in local government innovation, leadership under pressure, and the future of place-based transformation.