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PODCAST

Truth about Local Government

Where Local Government Professionals Learn and Develop.https://www.truthaboutlocalgovernment.com/#YourGrowth #YourImpact #OurPassion.

government

All Episodes

19:28

Beyond the Numbers: Why Housing Quality Matters for...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/02/13

For years, the national housing debate has been dominated by one metric: quantity. How many homes can we build, how quickly, and at what scale. But that fixation on numbers has pushed a more fundamental question into the background, are the homes we build, manage, and retrofit actually good for people’s health?In this episode, Matt Masters is joined by Faye Sanders, Doctoral Researcher in Housing and Health, and Co‑Chair of both the Healthy Homes Research Network and the Housing Studies Association

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19:19

Before the Ballot: What Prospective Councillors Need...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/02/06

Too many people step into elected office without a clear understanding of what the councillor role really involves, the workload, the emotional labour, the strategic responsibility, and the sheer breadth of services they’ll be accountable for.In this episode Matt sits down with sector leader, trainer, mentor, and long‑serving Kingston councillor Liz Green to explore her 3S model, Stewardship, Strategy, and Support, and why councils should start induction before someone even becomes a

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19:31

Enabling Better Outcomes: RPNA’s SA3 Approach in Bexley

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/02/06

In this episode, the conversation centres on how RPNA is helping councils move beyond traditional transformation pitfalls to deliver better outcomes for residents. Ashley Roper introduces RPNA’s SA3 process, a pro bono strategic assessment tool designed to help local authorities understand their readiness for change and identify the most impactful areas for intervention. The SA3 process was recently piloted with the London Borough of Bexley, where Chief Executive Paul Thorogood shares his

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16:01

Surrey at the Frontline: Leadership, Reorganisation,...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/02/02

Matt Masters sits down with Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, for an in‑depth conversation about Surrey’s transformation journey and what it means to lead one of the country’s most complex local government systems. With Surrey often viewed as the first major test case for large‑scale reorganisation, Tim reflects on the pressures, opportunities, and leadership choices shaping the council’s future. This episode offers a candid look at decision‑making, system change, and the realities of

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22:10

Corporate Landlord in Action: Nottinghamshire’s...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/01/30

Nottinghamshire County Council has become one of the sector’s standout examples of what a modern, strategic corporate landlord approach can achieve. In this episode, Matt Masters sits down with Wayne Bexton, Director of Economy, Environment and Assets, to unpack how Nottinghamshire has reshaped its estate, accelerated disposals, unlocked capital receipts, and used regeneration as a lever for long‑term place impact.Wayne shares the thinking behind their model, the practical steps that made the

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19:37

Care as a Public Good: Stopping the Drain on Local...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/01/29

Care in the UK is at a breaking point. With 70% of local authority budgets consumed by care services, rising costs, and profits flowing to private equity and tax havens, the system is failing the people it’s meant to serve. New research from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, Centre for Thriving Places, Cooperatives UK and the New Economics Foundation reveals that in just three regions, private care providers extracted £256 million in profit over three years, while care workers,

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22:01

Beyond the Blueprint: Why Behaviour Matters in Change...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/01/23

In this episode, we tackle a critical but often overlooked aspect of change management in local government: the human element. We’re joined once again by Kevan Collier, Strategic Learning and Organisational Development Lead at North West Employers, to explore how senior leadership teams can better understand the behavioural dynamics that make or break change programmes.We discuss why technical plans and project timelines aren’t enough, and how neglecting the emotional, psychological, and cultural

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19:10

Strong, Vibrant Communities: Why Town & Parish...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/01/23

Surrey is about to become the national test case for the government’s latest wave of local government reform, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With two new unitary authorities on the horizon, concerns are growing that statutory pressures and inherited financial challenges could push community services, local assets, and neighbourhood-level engagement to the margins.In this episode, we explore Strong, Vibrant Communities, a new report from the Surrey Association of Local Councils (SALC), which

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19:03

LGR in Flux: Delays, Direction & the Signals Behind...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/01/18

This month’s deep dive into local government reorganisation brings a timely and candid conversation with Rowan Cole, Director at Coal Face Engagement, as we unpack the shifting landscape of LGR and what the latest developments really mean for councils, leaders, and local politics.Rowan joins me to break down what has changed, why the Government has delayed elections, and how this fits with the ambitions originally set out for reorganisation. We explore the contrast between last year’s confident

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17:50

Building Inclusive Growth: Inside Newham’s Strategic...

Truth about Local Government ·

2026/01/09

In this episode of Truth About Local Government, we dive into how the London Borough of Newham is turning its Growth Plan into reality. With a strong focus on inclusive economy, community wealth building, and strategic investment, Newham is shaping a future where growth benefits everyone. Joining me is Darren Mackin, Director of Place-Making at the London Borough of Newham, to share what the council is doing on the ground to deliver this vision, the challenges they face, and how they’re engaging

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20:44

Beyond the Map: Why Governance Design Beats Structure...

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/12/17

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) isn’t just about drawing new boundaries it’s about what happens in the first 100 days when governance design, delegation, and political confidence collide with real-world planning decisions. In this episode, we talk to Rowan Cole, Thought Leader on LGR & Founder and Director of COALFACE, about what truly determines whether reorganisation improves planning outcomes. We’ll explore lessons from Dorset, Somerset, and Northumberland, the early warning signs of

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21:20

The Legacy Coach: Rewriting Your Next Chapter

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/12/15

In this episode of Truth About Local Government, I sit down with Averil Price author of The Legacy Coach: Your Next Chapter, Your Legacy, Your Way, available on Amazon. After more than two decades as a Local Authority Director, Averil made the bold transition to running her own consultancy, Avie Consultancy, where she helps public sector leaders navigate career changes, promotions, or retirement while celebrating the impact they’ve made.We explore the inspiration behind her book, including how a

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18:17

Creating a City of Culture: Insights from Arts,...

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/12/04

In this episode of Truth About Local Government, Matthew Masters speaks with Professor Rafaela Neiva, Professor in Public Sociology at Liverpool Business School and a leading expert in cultural policy and social innovation. Rafaela’s work sits at the intersection of arts, health, and business, shaping strategies that have influenced European Capitals of Culture, improved public health, and driven innovation across sectors. We’ll explore what it truly takes to create a City of Culture, beyond the

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23:34

Rethinking Transformation in Local Government: A...

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/11/14

Transformation in local government is often framed as a necessity driven by financial pressures, rising demand, and the need to modernise services. Yet, despite widespread efforts, success remains elusive. According to ChangingPoint, 70% of organisational change initiatives fail, and only one-third fully meet their intended goals. In this episode, Ashley Roper and Steve Mawn explore what councils could do differently to improve outcomes and embed sustainable change.Ashley Roper, a technologist and

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20:48

Culture as Catalyst: How Values-Driven Leadership...

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/11/13

In this we had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Riley, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Barrett Values Centre, to explore the transformative power of organisational culture. Emma shares insights from her work at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and values, highlighting how culture can be a driving force in successful change processes. The conversation delves into the Barrett Values Centre’s approach to cultural transformation, the role of values in leadership, and how organisations can

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20:23

Hull Forward: Leadership, Infrastructure, and...

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/11/12

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 supportKey regeneration

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22:22

Why Transformation Often Fails Within Local Government

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/11/07

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

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19:54

Unlocking the Hidden Value: Rethinking Data in Social...

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/11/05

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

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22:33

Cambridge at the Crossroads: Growth, Justice and the...

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/11/05

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

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28:21

Incremental Creep in Governance – Why It Matters More...

Truth about Local Government ·

2025/11/03

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,

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337 results

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