LGiU Fortnightly

Ingrid interviews Winnipeg councillor Sherri Rollins on being an Indigenous woman in local government, why representation matters and how we all have a role in choosing the leaders of the future. We also find out about Chief Thunderwater who led the call for local government reform among indigenous peoples of Canada in the early 20th century and the dirty tricks used to stop him. See show notes for links mentioned and more: https://lgiu.org/podcast-indigenous-communities-and-local-government/

An interview with Rob Dale, founder of Beyond2050 about the possibilities for hydrogen to power municipal transportation, homes and more. See the full show notes - including links mentioned in the podcast: https://lgiu.org/charging-the-future-hydrogen-and-local-government/

LGIU's Ingrid Koehler and Alice Creasy talk community gardens, an interview with Cincinnati Civic Garden's Greg Potter and a tranquil walk through a community orchard in Llandrindod Wells in Wales. See show notes, garden pics and links here: https://lgiu.org/podcast-get-growing-with-community-gardens/

Ingrid speaks with Cllr Martin Tett, leader of new unitary Buckinghamshire Council about the process of local government re-organisation and leading a newly formed council through the pandemic. Jonathan and Ingrid discuss the latest LGIU and local government news as well as localgov portmanteaus and neologisms. Show notes and links here: https://lgiu.org/podcast-county-devo-and-bucks-leader-martin-tett/

Dr Andrew Walker and Ingrid Koehler look at wellbeing and place and discuss the launch of LGIU's new research centre bridging academic rigour and practical local government experience. Features highlights from the launch of the centre with insights from Patrick Diamond, James Mitchell and James Callaghan. See all links mentioned in the show: https://lgiu.org/a-new-settlement-and-new-research-centre/

Ingrid Koehler and Jonathan Carr-West catch up on the lastest from the elections, the Local Democracy Research Centre and a fascinating chat with Dr Matthew Potter who discusses the importance of history to place. Full show notes and links: http://lgiu.org/62495-2/

In this podcast, Jonathan Carr-West interviews the BBC's Tim Burke - the man who covers elections - about how the locals will be covered and what people think about them. Jonathan and Ingrid also address the election essentials and highlight the support LGIU will be giving to new councillors post election.  Show notes here: : http://lgiu.org/election-eve/ ‎

Local elections are only a bit over a week away. We talk to Kate Grigg of CfGS about combined authority mayors and what she's expecting from her very first stint volunteering at the polls and Peter Stanyon, Chief Exec of AEA about how this elections are different this year, how they're the same and why running an election is a bit like being a party planner. Links to everything here: http://lgiu.org/a-safe-election/ ‎

Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler host this edition of LGIU Fortnightly looking at ways that local government can blend representative and participative democracy. Interviews with Deputy Leader of Oxford City Council Tom Hayes and LGIU Associate Kerry Ferguson, with a sneak peak at local elections offerings. Links mentioned in the show here: https://lgiu.org/lgiu-fortnightly-the-multi-democratic-council/

Unlocked: local stories from a global pandemic - an audio exploration of our week of reflection. https://lgiu.org/publication/unlocked-local-stories-from-a-global-pandemic/ Interviews with Cllr Abi Brown, writer Karen Campbell, and LGIU staff and poems from Sue Burge. Hosted by Ingrid Koehler and Jonathan Carr-West

The Covid-19 pandemic has been so profound that it can be easy to forget that local government was in crisis long before coronavirus. Partly as a result of a decade of relentless funding cuts, but also because of an absence of strategic direction in nearly all of the areas most important to councils. Hear from LGIU staff about what's been left unfinished in local government and what we need to address now for recovery. See more at https://lgiu.org/publication/unfinished-business-2/

In this week's episode, Ingrid Koehler and Jonathan Carr-West provide an overview of LGIU's recent work, including our new 20-minute neighbourhoods bundle which outlines the benefits of accessible cities and signposts ideas that can feed into recovery from Covid-19 by building stronger and more resilient communities. LGIU's Andy Johnston also speaks with Terry A'Hearn, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), about the organisation's place-making approach to flooding prevention and environmental sustainability.

Jonathan and Ingrid discuss new LGIU survey on the timing and feasibility of the local elections in May and an interview with Prof. Toby James on what we've learned from countries around the world on running global elections in a pandemic. Links at: http://lgiu.org/free-fair-and-safe-podcast/ ‎

In this week’s episode of LGIU Fortnightly, Ingrid Koehler speaks to three of our Cllr Award winners, Cllr Tom Beattie Leader of Corby District Council, Cllr Jenny Laing co-leader of Aberdeen City Council and Cllr Bridget Smith leader of South Cambridgeshire DC.

In this week's episode of LGIU Fortnightly, Andrew Walker and Ingrid Koehler take a deep dive into the latest pillar in our Post-Covid Councils series, the Location of Power. Andrew sets out the key arguments of his new report 'Power down to level up: resilient place-shaping for a post-Covid world', plus we hear an extract from our webinar – coinciding with the report launch – in which Dr Patrick Diamond (Senior Lecturer, Queen Mary University) and Jessie Hamshar (Director of Strategy and Engagement, Cornwall Council) discuss the importance of trust, engagement and decentralisation as we move towards recovery. Finally, Andrew and Ingrid look ahead to the upcoming launch of the Trust and Governance pillar and update listeners on our other recent work including new briefings and blogs, as well as the announcement of our Cllr Awards shortlist.

Obama Foundation Young Leader and Harrow councillor Peymana Assad speaks with LGIU's Ingrid Koehler about her journey into politics, how she maintains her motivation and what the pandemic has taught us about the importance of local leadership. Coming to the UK as a child, a refugee from Afghanistan, Cllr Assad first engaged with local politics as a volunteer supporting residents navigate the social security system. She was then elected to the London Borough of Harrow council in 2018 and was recently selected for the 2020 Obama Foundation European Young Leaders cohort.

In this week’s episode, Ingrid and Jonathan discuss the latest pillar in LGIU’s Post-Covid Councils project, Place and Community, which launched last week. The episode features presentations from LGIU’s Janet Sillett and Jane Sankarayya who spoke at our Place and Community webinar, plus, Andy Johnston talks to Jim Savege, the Chair of SOLACE Scotland and Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire County Council and Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council. And, we give you the lowdown on the 2020 LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards and update you on our upcoming local government book club meeting.

1 September: Work and play by LGiU Fortnightly

6 August: Food security and access by LGiU Fortnightly

22 July: Countering Misinformation by LGiU Fortnightly

7 July: Plus Ça Change by LGiU Fortnightly

9 June: Black Lives Matter and Covid inequalities by LGiU Fortnightly

How is our thinking changing and our focus shifting as we move along the pandemic curve? We hear from Cllr Abi Brown, the Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council about the importance of thinking space and the challenges of response and recovery. We also hear from a husband and wife who lived through ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. They tell us how what it felt like to emerge from an epidemic and provide insight into whether it's possible to return to a new normal that builds on the lessons we've learned in the pandemic. Visit lgiu.org for show notes.

2 May: Looking back, looking ahead by LGiU Fortnightly

We're meant to stay home to stay lives, but with glorious Spring weather in the northern hemisphere, some people are finding the outdoors too tempting. Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler take the podcast outside this week with reflections on public space, this common experience and the safe and appropriate use of the commons. We talk to Cllr Jack Hopkins the leader of Lambeth Council on why they shut down Brockwell Park and how we need to behave to keep it open. We also talk to Plymouth Council leader Tudor Evans on compliance there and find out how he's been supporting the local economy with his fishing cookery videos. And we hear from Shirley Sessions, the Mayor of Tybee Island, a coastal resort community in Georgia, USA about their decision to close the beaches and what it means to this tiny community to have the decision overturned by the Governor of Georgia. https://lgiu.org/lgiu-fortnightly-covid-19-common-problems-and-common-spaces/

We hear from a council leader, a head of comms and a front line care worker as we continue to cover the impact of Covid-19 on the work of councils. Plus a catch up on what LGIU is doing to keep you informed during the crisis.  Sound from: Louise Footner, Martin Tett, Sarah Ashmead and Kate Burnett. Hosted by Ingrid Koehler with an update from Jen Glover on what cllrs can do and the 'other public health crisis' domestic violence. All links can be found here https://lgiu.org/workstream/covid-19-and-local-government/

We talk to a new councillor who's building community support during the pandemic and another council who is carrying on an extra year following postponement of the local elections. We hear from Age UK about helping the most vulnerable. Our Chief Executive Jonathan Carr-West tells us about the changing world of supporting local government. Key links on our Covid-19 resource page: https://lgiu.org/workstream/covid-19-and-local-government/

This week we take a closer look at public health showcasing our latest bundle bringing together a range of learning about local public health. We also focus on the stresses and strains of dealing with an epidemic. Plus highlights from the LGiU Daily News service and more great content for LGiU Members and Followers. All links here: https://lgiu.org/theres-something-catching-councils-public-health-and-covid-19/ Hosted by  Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler. Featuring an interviews with Cllr Melanie Hampton of London Borough of Wandsworth and Cllr Paul Brant from Liverpool City Council, both cabinet members with responsibility for health and social care and an interview with Laura Lock, Deputy Chief Executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators.

In this week's closer look, we see how local government can get its story straight through better media management. We speak with Robin Latchem and Sophie Willett about the decline in local coverage, what the BBC is trying to do turn that around and how we can get important messages out to our local communities. Plus highlights from the LGiU Daily News service and more great content for LGiU Members and Followers.  See all programme notes here:

7 February: Levelling up in local government? by LGiU Fortnightly

Devo is back but what might it look like this time around? Jonathan and Andrew read the tea leaves. And Ingrid spoke with Luke Nicholls from SGS, our partner organisation in Australia, about local government's role tackling the devastating recent bushfires. We introduce our new LGiU Australia service, launching soon and start the shift towards a more international outlook right here on the podcast, bringing you stories of innovative practice from across our services in Ireland, Australia, Scotland and England & Wales. Including ambitious climate targets, study visits to improve child services, our guide to speed reading and the Innovation in Politics awards in Berlin.  PS Don't forget to take our listener survey to let us know what you think about the show and the chance to win one of our highly coveted LGiU Fortnightly mugs! https://lgiu.org/lgiu-fortnightly-24-january-devo-2-0-and-lessons-from-australia/ https://lgiu.org/podsurvey/

It's a new year, a new decade and a new government, but there's still a lot of unfinished business from the last. We look over some of the big ideas LGiU has promoted over the last ten years and that we still think need addressing as well as highlighting some of our top content from 2019. Also take our listener survey to let us know what you think about the show and the chance to win one of our highly coveted LGiU Fortnightly mugs.

With the general election looming, we hear from councillors who've been out on the doorstep. Cllr Abi Brown, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent and Cllr Michael Payne, Deputy Leader of Gedling and Chair of LGiU, tell us what this election could mean for local government, what should be prioritised by the new Government and how councils can help tackle un-democratic behaviour. Plus the highlights from our recent member-only content, including our General Election bundle and manifesto briefings. Hosted by Andrew Walker with interviews by @Ingrid Koehler. Tweet us @LGiU.

Can we call it a comeback? The placeshaping agenda has been making a quiet return in town halls across the country, forging ahead without grand frameworks from Whitehall. Liz Watts, South Cambridgeshire chief, tells us how her council is managing huge increases in housing developments by getting residents involved at the early stages. Stacey Arnold from Cancer Research UK brings the health perspective, explaining how councils are tackling obesity and smoking through clever planning and behaviour change initiatives. Plus the highlights from our recent member-only Daily News bulletins, including general election promises on business rates reforms, the recent Supreme Court ruling on the bedroom tax, the huge rise in council spending on temporary accommodation, and the unfolding impact of GDPR on local government. Hosted by Jen Glover and Andrew Walker. Tweet us @LGiU

This week LGiU England hosted our annual Cllr Achievement Awards, welcoming councillors from across the country to celebrate the amazing work done by councillors. We speak to all the winners about their work and we catch up with LGA Chairman Cllr James Jamieson. Congratulations to Cllr Raushan Ara, Cllr Mete Coban, Cllr Sally Longford, Cllr Janet Gardner, Cllr David Beaney, Cllr Lord Peter Smith and Cllr Darren Rodwell! Hosted by Jen Glover, Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler. Tweet us @LGiU More about the winners: https://lgiu.org/lgiu-ccla-cllr-achievement-awards-2019-the-winners/

How do we know if our work is having the right impact? Local government deals with some of the thorniest problems in the public sector where there are no blueprints or universally accepted 'right' answers. This week we explore the changing face of public service delivery in a post-performance indicator world with Jon Ainger, Director at Impower. Jon talks us through their new book Edgework Manifesto which challenges our definition of effective local public services and asks whether we are identifying the right problems. He argues that local government deals with 'complex' problems which have no pre-defined or replicable answer – as opposed to 'complicated' problems which, although difficult, can be managed through processes and blueprints. Complex problems require a new relationship between the council and citizens that moves away from the idea of customer satisfaction and towards co-production. Hosted by Jen Glover, Andrew Walker and Ingrid Koehler. Tweet us @LGiU

Brexit is already a reality in local government – chief executives are engaging with preparations on a daily basis and have allocated the equivalent of 1-3 full time staff to these activities. Hear more results from our latest survey, in which we asked UK council chief executives all about how they're planning for Brexit. We also announce the shortlist for our annual Cllr Achievement Awards and discuss exciting new website features launching for LGiU members next week! Plus our regular roundup of member-only policy briefings and highlights from our Daily News emails, including Greater Manchester's transport ambitions, Essex's tree-planting work and Norwich winning the RIBA prize for their social housing. Hosted by Jonathan Carr-West and Andrew Walker. Tweet us @LGiU.

27th September - Keeping the show on the road by LGiU Fortnightly

As the 31st October approaches, councils across the country are preparing for a no-deal Brexit scenario – with very little guidance and minimal resources. As a major import centre for animal feed and pharmaceuticals, Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, tells us about his concerns for managing increased traffic through the city's port, the SoS's surprise announcement that councils are now responsible for dealing with Brexit-related economic issues, and the lack of advice and funding from central government. Plus a taster from our latest member-only briefings on New Towns and the Spending Round, and highlights from our Daily News service. Featuring stories on Extinction Rebellion protesting council infrastructure projects, Portsmouth's proposed clean air charge, warnings about declining SEND provision, Islington's fur trade ban and an 'immersive fire garden' in NE Lincolnshire. Hosted by Jennifer Glover and Jonathan Carr-West, with interviews by Ingrid Koehler. Tweet us @LGiU

A thriving community is what everyone in local government aspires to create and that's exactly what Ingrid found in the beautiful Welsh town of Llandrindod Wells. Hear about the community orchard run by Transition Llandrindod, the life of a Town Crier, the Victorian Festival and how to run a community cafe. We also discuss the turbulent national political picture, making (foolhardy) predictions about next week's spending round. Plus our regular roundup of daily news stories, including heating Islington using waste energy from the tube, declining health and safety prosecutions, Sheffield's committee system bid, South Norfolk's new alpaca herd and a mystery bus shelter renovation in Stroud. Hosted by Jennifer Glover and Ingrid Koehler. Tweet us @LGiU

With councils across the country declaring climate emergencies, we ask a couple of them what this really means for the way they work. Cllr Kevin Maguire, Cabinet Member for Environment in Norwich City Council, describes their approach to integrating environmental with social and economic outcomes, and Cllr Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, tells us about their upcoming Citizen's Assembly on climate change. We then hear from Audrey de Nazelle from Imperial College's Centre for Environmental Policy about global examples of holistic urban planning that promotes livability and better health outcomes, while meeting environmental goals. Plus our regular roundup of daily news stories, including Yorkshire floods, drones policing park boundaries, public policing of engine idling, business rates reform, pothole complaints and the hunt for Darwin's ship. Hosted by Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler. Tweet us @LGiU

The summer holidays are upon us and perhaps you might have a bit of headspace to think beyond the day-to-day running of your council. But what should you be thinking about? LGiU offers food for thought on some of the meatier, longterm challenges facing local government and wider society – public service transformation, climate change and public trust. Plus our regular roundup of member-only policy briefings, including school sports and selective licensing, and the best stories from our Daily News service, on poor quality dementia care, public bodies suing eachother over loss of income, Greater Manchester's transport ambitions, dedicated climate change teachers, and the Government's failure to set realistic housebuilding targets. And don't forget to tweet us your town hall holiday snaps to enter  our summer #TownHalliday competition! Hosted by Jonathan Carr-West and Jennifer Glover. Tweet us @LGiU

It's been a big week at LGiU. We hosted our annual Local Government APPG reception on the beautiful House of Commons terrace and launched the final report from the Local Finance Taskforce. Hear the full keynote speech by Rt Hon James Brokenshire, HCLG SoS, acknowledging the uncertainty facing local government, and an interview with Shadow SoS Andrew Gwynne, who discusses councils' financial pressures outlined in LGiU's report. Plus our regular roundup of LGiU member-only briefings – on Help to Buy, modern slavery, diversity in local government leadership and locked-up children – and highlights from our Daily News emails, including Sheffield's tree felling, legislating air quality targets, care provider failure risks, waste charges, declining disability benefits and some sillier stories about strange tourists. Hosted by Ingrid Koehler, Jonathan Carr-West and Jennifer Glover. Tweet us @LGiU https://www.lgiu.org.uk/2019/07/19/lgiu-fortnightly-19th-july-sos-local-gov-james-brokenshire-andrew-gwynne/

Recorded live from sunny Bournemouth, LGiU joined the great and the good of local government at the LGA's annual conference this week. We discuss the messages coming from Secretary of State James Brokenshire and new LGA chair Cllr James Jamieson, as well as updates from LGiU's fringe events. We caught up with many friendly faces at our reception with CAMRA, including CAMRA regional director Nigel Jones, and discussed how to support women into leadership roles at our breakfast meeting with the Fawcett Society – we interviewed Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, and Cllr Yvonne Davies, Leader of Sandwell Council. Hosted by Ingrid Koehler, Jonathan Carr-West and Jennifer Glover. Tweet us @LGiU

Homelessness is one of our society's most intractable issues and one that has been at the top of the political agenda for several years. This week LGiU's local government-led Homelessness Commission launched its final report. We discuss its recommendations on how to accelerate progress towards ending homelessness. And it would be remiss of us not to mention the race for the PM title, so we give our key asks from the UK's next leader. Plus our regular roundup of LGiU's recent member-only policy briefings, and the highlights from our Daily News emails including the 2-year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, declining housing affordability for teachers and nurses, new 'green' trains to run on unprofitable routes and light-hearted stories from Bradford and Southend in 'And Finally'. Hosted by Jonathan Carr-West and Jennifer Glover. Tweet us @LGiU

Edinburgh Council's Leader, Cllr Adam Mcvey, is marching the issue of tourism tax all the way to Holyrood. We speak to him about what he's learned from the process about developing a solid evidence base and reaching out to less-than-enthusiastic stakeholders. Back in London, LGiU spoke before the CLG Select Committee this week about the future of council finances in the current uncertain context, and the importance of building a local taxation system that actually supports life-or-death services. Plus our regular roundup of LGiU member content including briefings –  on the Finnish basic income experiment and permitted development – and highlights from our Daily News emails – featuring updates from Northamptonshire, "the world's greenest football stadium", the effectiveness of Sure Start centres and Cornwall's space-age ambitions. Hosted by Ingrid Koehler and Jennifer Glover. Interview by Kim Fellows. Tweet us @LGiU

This week's podcast is an Andy Burnham special, featuring an exclusive interview with the Mayor of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, discussing the positive effects of devolution. Burnham gives his thoughts on a whole-place approach to reforming services, Whitehall's top down approach and of course football.

We reflect on what messages can be drawn from the surprising outcome of last week’s elections. Is it all about bins not Brexit, or are there more complex layers to these elections? We contemplate the increased Lib Dem and Independent vote, and speak to Cllr Steve Bridger, who was elected on Thursday as an Independent councillor for North Somerset Council. We also run through our latest briefings, including key resources for new councillors, and discuss the environmental crisis that local government is facing. Plus our regular roundup of Daily News including the Brent Bee Corridor and care homes. Cllr Steve Bridger, first-time councillor for North Somerset Council, on why he stood for election and the local issues affecting the authority. [18:53] Hosted by Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler. Tweet us @LGiU

Councillor candidate hopefuls up and down the country are out in force this week, as Thursday's ballot looms. We speak to those people at the frontline of our local democracy – whether running for the first time, veteran campaigners, standing down or switching party – and to the Association of Electoral Administrators about the officers actually orchestrating this huge democratic project. Plus our thoughts on what to expect and details of our live results coverage. Guests: –Seena Shah (C), first-time councillor candidate for Chelmsford City Council, on why she wants to be involved in local politics and how she is persuading people against protest voting –Cllr David Tutt (LD), sitting leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, about residents' engagement with local issues despite the Brexit effect –Cllr Noelle Robinson (I), Ards and North Down Council, on her experience running as an Independent this time around and the fearful political environment in Northern Ireland –Cllr Alan Waters (L), sitting leader of Norwich City Council, on how the council is working to prevent low turnout due to voter fatigue –Cllr Michelle Lowe (C), deputy leader of Sevenoaks District Council (C), on why she decided not to stand again this year –Peter Stanyon, CEO of the Association of Electoral Administrators, talks us through the 'theatre' of delivering a successful election, from gas leaks to oversleeping caretakers. Hosted by Jonathan Carr-West, Ingrid Koehler and Jennifer Glover. Tweet us @LGiU

In light of the crisis facing the UK retail sector, councils have an integral role to play in shaping the future of these once-vibrant public spaces – and indeed their future financial security relies on business rates income to which retailers have typically been major contributors. This week we bring you '3 questions to ask yourself about the future of your high street', inspired by the latest LGiU briefing series on the topic. Plus our regular roundup of Daily News stories, including the compulsory home-schooling register, North Yorkshire road-building enterprise, inadequate funding to tackle air pollution and disability tech for polling day.  Hosted by Ingrid Koehler and Jennifer Glover. Tweet us @LGiU https://www.lgiu.org.uk/2019/04/12/lgiu-fortnightly-12th-april-what-next-for-the-british-high-street/

We bring you a taster of our recent appearance on Connected Local Gov TV, in which LGiU researcher Andrew Walker, Southwark Cabinet Member for Housing Stephanie Cryan, and Dawn Eckersley from the East London Housing Partnership discuss the drivers behind the housing crisis. Followed by run-down of recent LGiU member-only housing policy briefings such as international lessons for tackling homelessness and Housing First schemes, as well as findings of the Work and Pensions Committee review of Universal Credit. Plus our regular roundup of the highlights from LGiU Daily News, including stories about Yorkshire devo, modern slavery, green transport infrastructure, LOBOs, private tower block cladding, as well as some more lighthearted stories about toad roads and Del Boy statues in And Finally. Hosted by Ingrid Koehler and Jennifer Glover. Tweet us @LGiU