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The Local Authority Podcast

LGC
Local Government
Labour Party
Local Government Pension Scheme
English Devolution White Paper
Devolution
Social Care
Local Authorities
UK Economy
Government Policy
Fiscal Policy
Valuation
Better Outcomes, Better Lives
National Care Service
Care Standards Commission
Fair Pay Agreement
Care Act
Education Health and Care Plans
Pension Fund Mergers
Investment Strategy
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

The Local Authority is a podcast by Local Government Chronicle. Each month, the podcast will ask fundamental questions about how local government needs to adapt to fulfil its full potential and best serve local populations. It will see LGC assemble a small panel of significant figures from the sector to discuss one specific issue per episode. All will have a focus on the future, with the emphasis ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes51Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNewsPolitics

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Artwork for The Local Authority Podcast

Latest Episodes

With around half of councils having declared the results of their elections, the LGC team analyses the main themes that have developed so far. Acting editor Martin George is joined by head of news Kirsty Weakley, chief reporter Caitlin Webb and finan... more

With more than 5,000 seats up for grabs across English councils in May, this episode of The Local Authority examines what the elections could mean for the major parties, the rise of Reform and the Greens, and what the results might tell us about the ... more

Metro mayors are the poster boys for devolution, but councils have a vital but often unappreciated role in combined authorities – soon to be renamed strategic authorities. With the government planning to ‘complete the map’ of devolution in England an... more

Millions of people rely on social care every day, but it has long been a service in crisis with soaring demand, workforce shortages and inadequate funding, putting ever greater pressure on council finances. Against this backdrop, the Labour governmen... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Elliot Topham
Reporter, newcomer to The Local Authority Podcast
Local Government Chronicle
Episode: Local election results special 2026
Colin Rallings
elections expert
Episode: May local elections preview with Colin Rallings & Polly Curtis
Polly Curtis
Chief Executive of the Cross Party Think Tank, Demos
Demos
Episode: May local elections preview with Colin Rallings & Polly Curtis
Mark Rogers
Associate Director at the Leadership Centre; former Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council
Leadership Centre / Birmingham City Council
Episode: Councils and combined authorities
Akash Paun
Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Institute for Government
Episode: Councils and combined authorities
Paul Burstow
Former Care Minister and Chair of the Social Care Institute for Excellence
Social Care Institute for Excellence
Episode: The National Care Service
Andy Harrop
Director at Public First and former General Secretary of the Fabian Society
Public First
Episode: The National Care Service
Susan Parsonage
Chief Executive of Wokingham Borough Council and SEND Policy Lead for Solace
Wokingham Borough Council
Episode: Making Send services sustainable
Rachael Wardell
President of the Association of Directors of Children's Services and DCS at Surrey County Council
Surrey County Council
Episode: Making Send services sustainable

Hosts

Martin George
Deputy Editor / Acting Editor roles at Local Government Chronicle over time, with a focus on local government policy and reform.
Sarah Calkin
Editor of Local Government Chronicle with responsibilities in policy analysis and local-government coverage.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#99
United Kingdom/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Making Send services sustainable
Q: What do we need to achieve to meet children's needs effectively?
It's imperative to focus on early intervention and prevention strategies to rebuild trust with parents and to ensure a sustainable funding framework is established.
Making Send services sustainable
Q: What's gone wrong, and how have we ended up in this situation?
The issue began with the 2014 SEND reforms, which generated exponential growth in demands for EHCPs without corresponding funding, leading to a significant increase in spending on independent provisions.
Getting the councillors we need for the 21st century
Q: What do you think could help increase public understanding of what councillors actually do?
We need to be much more transparent about the role, time commitment, and what it takes to be a councillor.
Getting the councillors we need for the 21st century
Q: What do you think would actually make the role of a Councillor more attractive?
We need to rethink the idea of an elected representative and encourage community activists into the role of Councillors.
How to make community energy a reality, with Wayne Bexton, Fiona Brazill & Debbie Caldwell
Q: What is the role of stakeholders in community energy projects?
Stakeholders are critical for providing local insights, building consensus and ensuring the projects reflect community needs and values.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Local Authority Podcast

What is The Local Authority Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The episodes center on local government reform, service delivery, and community-level innovation within the public sector. Across recent conversations, the focus tends to be on how councils modernize, fund, and coordinate services—from social care and SEND to neighbourhood governance, housing, and devolution—often through case studies, policy analysis, and practical reform ideas. A standout pattern is the emphasis on local-first approaches, collaboration across departments, and the role of leadership in driving fair, efficient public services. The podcast frequently features senior council leaders, policy experts, and practitioners who discuss systemic challenges and tangible solutions for better local outcomes, making it a practical listen... more

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How many listeners does The Local Authority Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Local Authority Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Local Authority Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Local Authority Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Local Authority Podcast:

1. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
2. The Week in Westminster
3. The Rest Is Politics
4. Political Fix
5. The Politics Show

How many episodes of The Local Authority Podcast are there?

The Local Authority Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 51 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Local Authority Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Local Authority Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Local Authority Podcast?

Recent guests on The Local Authority Podcast include:

1. Elliot Topham
2. Colin Rallings
3. Polly Curtis
4. Mark Rogers
5. Akash Paun
6. Paul Burstow
7. Andy Harrop
8. Susan Parsonage

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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