The expert panel, featuring Sharon Sanders from the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Ian Moore from Libraries Connected, and Ian Varra from Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure, discusses how these spaces have evolved to meet the needs of diverse populations.

One of the key themes of the episode is the concept of libraries as trusted spaces within communities. As more services move online, many residents still rely on physical locations to access essential services. Sharon Sanders emphasises that libraries are crucial for digital inclusion, providing a safe environment where individuals can seek support without feeling judged. This is especially vital for those who may not have access to technology or the internet at home.

The discussion also highlights the innovative models that councils are adopting to sustain and reimagine public spaces. Ian Moore points out that libraries are transforming into inclusive community hubs, focusing on literacy, digital access, and wellbeing. By integrating various services, libraries can serve as a one-stop shop for residents, offering everything from employment support to cultural activities.

Moreover, the panel addresses the importance of collaboration between local authorities and community organisations. Ian Varra shares insights on how his organisation has worked to break down silos, creating a more integrated approach to service delivery. This collaboration is essential for ensuring that resources are allocated effectively, particularly in times of financial pressure.

As the conversation unfolds, the panellists explore the concept of social value in procurement. They argue that understanding the broader impact of libraries and community services is crucial for securing funding and support. By articulating the value these spaces bring to the community, stakeholders can advocate for sustainable investment in civic infrastructure.

Ultimately, this episode serves as a reminder that libraries and public spaces are not just about books; they are vital community resources that promote social inclusion, digital access, and overall wellbeing. As we navigate the challenges of modern society, it is essential to recognise and support the evolving role of these spaces in our communities.

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Our expert panel, comprising leaders from various councils and organisations, discusses the myriad benefits that AI brings to the table. From smart chatbots that streamline customer interactions to automated administrative processes that reduce the burden on social workers, the applications of AI are vast and varied. Vic Pool, Executive Portfolio Holder for Transformation at West Berkshire Council, shares a compelling example of how AI has improved the efficiency of social care by automating the retrieval of legislative updates. This innovation allows social workers to focus more on client care rather than administrative tasks, ultimately enhancing service delivery.

However, the discussion does not shy away from the challenges associated with AI adoption. Risks such as data security, bias, and the ethical implications of using AI in decision-making are critically examined. Tim Spiers from Cambridge County Council highlights the importance of managing these risks while embracing the opportunities that AI presents. The panel stresses the need for transparency and proper training to ensure that staff are equipped to use AI responsibly.

Moreover, the conversation touches on the need for local governments to invest wisely in technology. With budgets often stretched thin, identifying the right tools that can deliver quick wins is essential. David Terrar of the Tech Industry Forum emphasises the importance of foundational technologies and processes over flashy new tools. This pragmatic approach is crucial for councils looking to maximise their investments in AI.

As the episode unfolds, listeners are encouraged to consider the broader implications of AI in public services. The discussion highlights the potential for AI to not only improve efficiency but also to enhance the human element of service delivery. By freeing up staff from mundane tasks, AI can enable a shift from administration to care, ultimately benefiting the communities served.

In conclusion, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and public service. It offers valuable insights into how AI can be harnessed to create a more efficient, effective, and responsive public sector. 

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If you want to learn more about how EV infrastructure can be rolled out more successfully across the country, listen to episode 75 of the PSE Podcast now!

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Kate highlights the evolution of local climate financing over the past five years, detailing how boroughs have come together to create a robust framework for attracting investment. By understanding the assets under their control and identifying essential projects, councils are now in a position to tell a compelling story about their ambitions for a sustainable future.

One of the key takeaways from Kate's insights is the importance of collaboration among boroughs. For the first time, councils can see all the projects in their neighbouring boroughs, fostering a spirit of shared learning and cooperation. This collaborative approach is vital for accelerating progress and ensuring that resources are used efficiently.

Kate also discusses the need for long-term delivery models that can adapt to the evolving climate landscape. The shift from a net zero projects pipeline to a green growth pipeline exemplifies this approach, as it integrates climate initiatives into broader growth strategies. By focusing on delivering tangible benefits for communities, councils can garner the support and buy-in needed for successful climate action.

Moreover, the episode addresses the financial realities that boroughs face, with many struggling to balance their budgets while investing in climate action. Kate emphasises the need for innovative financing solutions, such as aggregating smaller projects into larger portfolios that can attract investment. This strategy not only secures funding but also generates returns that can be reinvested into essential services.

As we move forward, the conversation around climate financing must include diverse stakeholders, from climate officers to finance directors. By clarifying responsibilities and fostering collaboration, London can create a cohesive strategy that addresses both immediate needs and long-term sustainability goals.

Tune in to this episode to hear more about how London Councils is navigating the complexities of climate financing and leading the charge towards a greener future.

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The conversation featured prominent voices including Hillary Reid from Ayrshire College, Sarah Chamberlain from BCP Council, Laura Cooper from Norfolk County Council, and Penny Syddall from Dorset Council. Together, they explored how digital skills are crucial for successful transformation and how organisations can foster a culture of empowerment and inclusion.

One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the role of 'digital champions' – individuals within organisations who possess the knowledge and experience to support their colleagues in navigating technology. Sarah Chamberlain highlighted the significance of these champions in demystifying technology, stating, 'Tech can be frightening to people. What we're really trying to do is make it a thing that belongs to all of us.' This approach aims to alleviate the anxiety often associated with digital tools and encourages a more collaborative atmosphere.

The episode also addressed the importance of leadership in driving cultural change. Leaders must foster an environment where innovation and digital literacy are prioritised. As Penny Siddle pointed out, 'When we launched this project, we wondered if we would get pushback from services, but it helps frontline services do their role better.' By integrating digital skills training into everyday practices, organisations can enhance efficiency and improve service delivery.

Moreover, the discussion touched upon the necessity of tailored training programmes that cater to the unique needs of staff. Laura Cooper emphasised the value of one-on-one support, stating, 'We take a very human first and empathetic approach to how we're working with our tech-terrified colleagues.' This personalised approach not only boosts confidence but also encourages employees to embrace new technologies rather than shy away from them.

As we look to the future, the guests agreed that critical thinking will be an essential skill in navigating the digital landscape. With the rise of AI and automation, the ability to discern and question information will become increasingly important. This forward-thinking perspective is vital for ensuring that the workforce is not only skilled but also adaptable to the evolving demands of the digital age.

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The Welsh government has recognised the importance of tackling this divide, launching the Digital Strategy for Wales in March 2021. This strategy aims to create an inclusive digital society where everyone can benefit from the advantages that digital technology offers. Mission two of this strategy focuses on equipping individuals with the motivation, confidence, and basic digital skills necessary to navigate our increasingly digital world.

Despite these efforts, a significant portion of the population remains digitally excluded. Recent data from the National Survey for Wales revealed that approximately 170,000 individuals aged 16 and over do not personally use the Internet. The reasons behind this exclusion are varied, ranging from lack of motivation and trust in online security to affordability issues related to devices and connectivity.

We explore the concept of a minimum digital living standard, which serves as a benchmark for the essential digital goods, services, and skills required for individuals to fully engage in modern life. This standard is not merely about having Internet access; it encompasses a broader understanding of what it means to be digitally included in today’s society.

One of the key takeaways from this episode is the necessity of a cross-sectoral approach to address the digital divide. It is not solely the responsibility of the government; collaboration among public, private, and third sectors is crucial. By working together, we can co-produce interventions that meet the diverse needs of the community.

We also highlight pilot projects being undertaken in Wales to support residents in engaging with digital technology. These initiatives aim to align resources and training with the specific needs of individuals and households, ultimately enhancing their ability to participate in the digital world.

As we conclude this episode, we invite listeners to reflect on the importance of inclusivity in our digital society. It is vital that we design services that cater to the wants and needs of individuals, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access and engage with essential services. Join us in embracing this challenge and striving towards a future where no one is left behind in the digital age.

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In this panel discussion, experts from the NHS, local councils, and housing groups gathered to explore how local authorities can future-proof their estates through low carbon heating, energy efficiency retrofits, and the deployment of smart technologies. The conversation highlighted the vital role of funding, particularly through the public sector decarbonisation scheme, which has committed over £2 billion to support these initiatives.

One of the standout projects discussed was the retrofitting of homes on the Dudley Fields Estate in Bloxwich. Adrian Andrew from Walsall Council shared insights into the comprehensive range of structural and environmental improvements being made to 85 units in collaboration with Walsall Housing Group. This project not only aims to bring older homes, some dating back to 1937, up to net zero standards but also serves as a model for future retrofitting efforts across the region.

The challenges of retrofitting historic buildings were also a focal point of the discussion. Tricia Ayrton from Rochdale Borough Council proudly shared her experience with the renovation of Rochdale Town Hall, the first grade one listed building in the UK to install air source heat pumps. These efforts demonstrate that while technical challenges exist, ambitious projects can indeed be accomplished with the right planning and partnerships.

As the conversation unfolded, the panellists emphasised the importance of communication and public engagement. Ensuring that residents understand the benefits of decarbonisation is crucial for garnering support and participation. The messaging around these initiatives must resonate with the community, highlighting not just environmental benefits but also the potential for reduced energy bills and improved living conditions.

The panel concluded with key takeaways, stressing the need for a pragmatic approach to transitioning facilities into net zero. Janet Smith from the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust encapsulated this sentiment, advocating for a strategic plan that prioritises core facilities while considering the long-term sustainability of new builds.

As we move forward in this critical journey towards decarbonisation, the insights shared by our panellists provide a roadmap for local authorities and organisations to follow. By embracing innovation, fostering partnerships, and engaging with the community, we can collectively work towards a more sustainable future for public sector estates.

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With over a decade of experience, Nadeem shed light on the alarming rise in homelessness due to increasing housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes.

Nadeem explained that possession and eviction are often the primary reasons people seek help from Shelter. He emphasised the emotional turmoil that accompanies these situations, with many clients feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and even angry as they face the prospect of losing their homes. Understanding the emotional impact is crucial for housing professionals, as it allows them to provide not just practical advice but also emotional support to clients.

Throughout the discussion, Nadeem explored typical scenarios clients might face, such as receiving a notice from a landlord or dealing with rent arrears. Nadeem highlighted the importance of knowing one's rights and options in these situations. He provided insights into the steps professionals should take when advising clients, including fact-finding to assess the individual's circumstances and rights to emergency housing.

A significant part of the conversation focuses on the distinction between possession and eviction. Nadeem clarified that while possession is a court ruling requiring a tenant to vacate their home, eviction occurs when the tenant does not leave by the specified date. This distinction is crucial, as it opens up avenues for negotiation and potential delays in the eviction process, allowing clients more time to find solutions.

Emergency housing is another key topic discussed. Nadeem explained that local authorities provide emergency accommodation for those who are legally homeless, but the reality of this housing can often be stark. Many clients find themselves in cramped conditions, far from their support networks, which can exacerbate their already difficult situations.

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Andy brings a wealth of experience, having worked across the energy and utility sectors, as well as at the City of Edinburgh Council. His insights into negotiation are not only practical but also transformative. One of the key highlights of our discussion is Scotwork's eight-step negotiation process, a tried-and-tested framework that can be applied across various negotiation contexts.

Preparation, as Andy points out, is the cornerstone of effective negotiation. Without thorough preparation, negotiators risk entering discussions without a clear strategy, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes. Andy shares a compelling story of a group that focused too heavily on numbers during preparation, neglecting other crucial aspects of negotiation. His advice? Move beyond spreadsheets and consider all elements that could impact the negotiation process.

As we look ahead to the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023, Andy highlights the significant changes it will bring to public sector negotiations. With increased flexibility and freedom, public sector negotiators must be equipped with the right skills and knowledge to maximise value in their deals. Andy's experience in the public sector and with public sector clients underscores the importance of investing in negotiation training to navigate these changes effectively.

Throughout the episode, Andy provides invaluable tips on avoiding common pitfalls in negotiation, such as getting stuck in circular debates or making non-specific proposals. By focusing on constructive dialogue and clear, specific proposals, negotiators can steer discussions towards successful outcomes.

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One of the best ways to go about doing this is by ensuring that systems are secure by design, and in order to learn more about this process, host Dan Benn spoke to cyber security expert George Bathurst. Over the course of more than thirty years, George’s career has taken him to some of the world’s biggest and most famous companies, and has recently seen him heading up Ministry of Defence’s transition to secure by design.

George commented on the importance of following the secure by design model, saying:

“For many years, we’ve seen projects that have just been getting started and they’ve already been hacked. The development servers and things like that have been breached and… whereas three months ago you had a month to respond to a new zero day bug being discovered, with AI now you’ve got just a few hours.”

Moving on to what leaders can do to support secure by design development, George explained:

“Everybody is responsible, but there’s a danger of that becoming meaningless because if everybody’s responsible, nobody’s responsible. Therefore, what management can do is identify the right people across the organisation – not just in the IT silo – who are responsible for certain types of security or making sure a project is delivered, and make sure that they understand and have the training to do that.”

To learn more about the importance of secure by design in the modern world, listen to the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive podcast.

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Playing a core role in the establishment of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, Sajeeda told Dan about the opportunity that is on offer for the region, saying:

“I believe that the establishment of a combined authority for the East Midlands is a hugely exciting opportunity for the whole region. As a region, we’ve had significant underinvestment for many years and the establishment of a combined authority is to level that playing field in terms of bringing in significant investment for growing the regional economy.”

Looking at Nottingham more specifically, Sajeeda also spoke about the opportunities there are for regeneration and growth for the city:

“We’re one of the few cities that are already starting to rethink how we repurpose our city centres to become spaces that are used for multiple reasons, for living, for retail, for leisure and for jobs so it’s hugely exciting. It’s game-changing in the sense that it’s the start of what I would imagine lots of other places will go through in terms of change for the future.”

You can hear more about Sajeeda's experiences by listening to the full episode.

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In order to explore why major infrastructure projects are failing, and how the issue can be resolved, MIGSO-PCUBED’s David Whitmore joined us on the latest episode of the PSE Podcast. David outlined the evidence that exists to support claims that the nation is underperforming when it comes to infrastructure, saying:

“There’s quite a bit of evidence, unfortunately. Probably the main piece of evidence is that the Infrastructure and Projects Authority carries out an annual review of the performance of public sector projects in the public interest, and we’ve seen consistently over the 10-12 years that they’ve been doing that review, more red in the performance of the projects and less green.

“It’s not just that our baseline performance is worse than it was 25 years ago, it would appear to be getting worse every year.”

David was also asked about the UK’s place in the world, and whether an inability to deliver major infrastructure projects was a UK-specific issue. Bringing in the example of the far-east, David said:

“For me, it’s very much a UK issue – you might argue it’s a western world issue.

“If you take the example of the civil nuclear programme, that – for me- is probably the starkest example…  About 2007 we embarked on a new nuclear programme to build 16 gigawatts of additional capacity; around the same time, the UAE started a programme to build four nuclear reactors. No contest, we’ve got 100,000 engineers and we’ve built loads of nuclear reactors, clearly we’re going to win that race.

“But here we stand today, we’ve built zero gigawatts out of that 16, two of the three projects that started have failed and are no longer in existence… yet in the UAE – using Far East partners and forming relationships with South Korean companies – they’ve built their four reactors.”

To learn more about how major infrastructure projects can be delivered successfully, listen to the latest episode of the PSE Podcast now.

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Despite this, there continue to be issues with roads that should not be happening. When was the last time you saw a pothole? It was probably recently.

This is because many councils are without the adequate resources, expertise, or partner to ensure that they can make long-term improvements to their highways. On the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast, host Dan Benn was joined by Wrekin Product’s Dave Sanders and IKO Road’s Alistair Puddick, to discuss how local authorities can make sure that pesky pothole problems can be solved and highways improved in the long-term.

Talking about the challenges that councils face when they’re going about making road improvements and fixing potholes, Alistair said:

“We’ve seen that, from 2021, we were looking at £10 billion just to get the roads back up to a maintainable standard. That’s sitting in April 2024 at £16.3 billion. So the situation is only going one way and will probably, in the next couple of years, exceed the £20 billion mark if there isn’t a change in what authorities are doing.”

Dave also explained why it is important for authorities to change the way they think about highway and maintenance, saying:

“For us, certainly, our message to LCRIG members – and any local authority that’s willing to listen – is that it's changing that mindset from looking at the cost today, to looking at the cost over ten years…

… It’s about education for the guys in the local authorities to understand what products are good, what good looks like, and understand the dynamics to products when they get trafficked in the highway.”

To hear more from Dave and Alistair on how local authorities can make the right decisions when it comes to highways and maintenance, listen to the full episode now.

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Discussing some of the most important aspects relating to the futureproofing of transport in the north of England, some of the challenges involved, and how Transport for the North are supporting this drive, TfN’s Head of Major Roads Owen Wilson joined host Dan Benn on the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

When looking into the future of transport, Owen was asked the introduction of new technology, and how it can support transport improvement. Answering by touching on the future of tech, Owens said:

“No-one can predict the future can they? That brings me onto the need actually not to be fixated on a particular future, or how that’s going to pan out… We need to be adaptable and flexible and plan for different scenarios in terms of the uptake of technology, but also how that impacts people’s behaviours.

“It’s a bit of a cliché, but the smartphone has really changed the way people behave in the last two decades. Thirty years ago could that have been predicted?

“So, we need to be adaptable and flexible to changing technologies.”

Transport systems around the UK, especially in the north, have seen their fair share of challenges in recent years. Owen expanded on some of challenges faced by authorities, and what can be done to help organisations overcome them, saying:

“Policy certainty is critical. We’ve seen a bit of chopping and changing over recent years in terms of policy and investment in transport, so it’s really important to have greater certainty in terms of what the ambitions and outcomes we’re aiming for are.

“I think the critical challenge is reshaping how we appraise investment in transport in the future.”

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Chief Executive of Transport East, Andrew Summers, spoke to host Dan Benn about the organisations Annual Review for 2023-2024, commenting on achievements, goals, and some stumbling blocks that have been encountered in the region.

Expanding on the importance of transport in driving improvement around the country, Andrew said:

“Transport is ultimately one of a number of enablers that support economic growth, a better environment and better outcomes for society, and indeed, part of our transport strategy was to try to articulate what those priorities were for us, and to then determine how we went about our work.”

Considering the makeup of the East as a region, Andrew also touched upon the importance of keeping rural communities connected to both each other, and to the economic hubs nearby, saying:

“One in three people in the East live in a rural community, and for us that’s about 1.2 million people. So that’s a significant amount of our population.

“We’ve done a lot of analysis about their accessibility and it’s pretty concerning. Two thirds of those live in what we class as a transport desert – that is, they have no access to education, training, skills, work by any means apart from the private car – and we have explored this a bit further. This creates significant transport-related social exclusion.”

To hear more from Andrew on the successes and challenges of being responsible for transport developments in one of the most rural regions of the country, as well as what the future holds for transport in the East, listen to the latest episode of the PSE Podcast now.

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In the short space of time since they came into power, the new government has been getting to work to deliver on some of its key priorities, including furthering devolution, prioritising clean energy, and nationalising our railways. But what does this mean for local government?

On hand to answer that question, and reflect on the results of the general election was Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, Chair of the District Council Network, who joined host Dan Benn on the 59th episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

When discussing what would be on his wishlist for the new government, and its relationship with local government, Chapman-Allen said:

“We’ve had a good relationship with government, but actually we’ve seen external pressures outside of the UK Government’s control – which has either slowed programmes and activities, or caused activities to be paused because other programmes have taken that attention. Actually, we need a grown-up conversation around certain areas, such as asylum and immigration so we will ensure that that those individuals who comes to England are provided safe, appropriate homes and housing….

“I think the second part is around our finances and making sure we actually have a robust conversation, understanding where their appetite is to support local government on the day-to-day expenditure, but also where is our appetite to support some of those big intervention pieces around regeneration, levelling up…?”

To hear more from Sam on how the new government can work alongside councils, and how this changing of the guard can bring benefits to communities, listen to the latest episode of the PSE Podcast now.

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Whilst it has seemingly endless possible uses across a number of sectors, AI can also bring major improvements for local authorities. 

To discuss the potential benefits, risks and challenges of authorities utilising artificial intelligence, Kent County Council’s Fil Kamps joined host Dan Benn for the latest episode of the PSE Podcast.

Discussing some of the benefits of AI for the public sector, especially when it comes to productivity and efficiency which has been a hot topic in recent months, Fil said:

“There’s a number of benefits to the customers and residents of these organisations… the end users will benefit. I think the primary way they’ll feel it is actually not the most obvious; it’s the changes to backend processes that will improve delivery times against services, the processing of requests that come in.

“AI is helping to improve and streamline a lot of those processes in the backend whilst keeping human decision making at its core.”

Fil also touched upon the skills that the public sector workforce might need as it embraces AI, saying:

“I think we started to see this shift in public sector workforces when Covid hit and everything went from being in person in the office, to being online and digital… That change in working practices really placed an emphasis on people’s ability to pick up technology and to have a decent level of digital literacy to be able to work in a public sector organisation.” 

To hear more from Fil about how organisations across the sector can use AI to drive major improvement, as well as some of challenges that may be faced along the AI journey, listen to the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast now.

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Discussing how organisations across the sector can transform digitally, bring communities with them, and his career in digital inclusion, Cambridgeshire County Council’s Will Plant joined host Dan Benn on the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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To talk about making decisions under pressure, the journey that the organisation has been on, and his personal career, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service’s Mark Smyth joined host Dan Benn on the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

Talking about some of the challenges that the fire and rescue service faces over the course of the next year, Mark said: “There’s many major threats when you start to look at the national risk registers and you look at dealing with climate change. We’re getting more flooding, we’re getting longer periods of wetness. You’re starting to see the large wildfires and gorse fires that hit the Southeast of England last year.”

Challenges don’t stop with climate change, however, as Mark expanded: “There’s challenges in and around the operational side of our culture and changing, that’s major for us. You’ll know that financially and under budget restraints that we have in the world we’re in now, there’s really big challenges around that, and providing the service that the public want with the limited financial resources we have.”

To learn more about the type of training that is available for councillors, why it is so important, and the role that central government can play, listen to the newest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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To explore more about the kinds of skills that councillors should be developing, why some councils don’t offer the right training, and how this impacts councils themselves, Cllr Liz Green joined host Dan Benn on the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

Speaking about the kind of training that councillors require, Liz said:

“Being a counsellor is very different to anything anybody’s ever done before in their life. So, even if you’ve been highly successful in business, you’re still going to need to learn some new skills; things like negotiating and conflict resolution…

“Councils can’t do anything by themselves because they need to work with the public sector, the private sector, and with the voluntary sector and you need to be able to influence those in a different way because you are not the direct boss – you can’t tell them what to do.”

Liz also touched on the issue of productivity within the public sector, and how this relates to skills and funding. She said:

“I was a counsellor before we started austerity in 2010 – it never felt like we had a lot of money to start with so I think we did some improvements in councils. We looked more at our budgets and we scrutinised them more…

“We also did more transformation, which is a buzzword at the moment, but improving services, looking at how we used it, how we used our resources of people and assets and builds etc. So I think there was some really good work that went on.

“It’s gone way too far now. We just simply cannot afford as councils to keep operating.”

To learn more about the type of training that is available for councillors, why it is so important, and the role that central government can play, listen to the newest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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Martin Dolce and Dan Westley, from Oracle UK, joined host Dan Benn to talk about the work that Oracle are doing to support cloud, data, and digitisation progress across government. Martin is the Sales Director for Public Sector; Central Government and Defence, whilst also being UK Regional Director for the North West, whilst Dan is Cloud Engineering Director at Oracle.

Offering a wealth of knowledge, Martin and Dan were on hand to talk about how Oracle Cloud can support the ambitions of organisations across central government, including by helping them through major projects. Touching on one of the projects that Oracle embarked on with a major government department, Martin said:

“We engaged with the Department for Work and Pensions about 18 months ago. They had a stated objective around their journey to cloud; they had about 30% of the business in the cloud and 70% on prem(ises) and they wanted to flip that around.

“But they recognised that a lot of their real core applications, that touch us all today… were still on Oracle legacy software and they had deferred upgrading that platform because they were challenged on budget, and so that rolled on and on and they were in a position where there wasn’t a natural migration path…”

By approaching Oracle, the Department was able to embark on a journey of transformation that ended up with a successful migration, whilst also building confidence within the department.

To hear all about how Oracle has supported organisations ranging from central government organisations, to one of the world's most successful Formula One teams, listen to the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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For the 53rd episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, spoke to host Dan Benn about some of the most important issues facing his region, as well as what drives him as a leader.

Touching on the impact that pride in a region can play in economic growth, Dr Johnson said:

“If you can build up a framework of a sense of pride, identity, then business comes. There are a lot of examples where the culture – and the culture is of many things, it goes across the digital industry, across the arts – drives the economy…”

Another topic of discussion was the emphasis that the mayor places on combating climate change, with his role as a paediatrician influencing this:

“I have done my role as a doctor easily over 30 years and in the last 20 years, when I’ve been a consultant, I’ve been able to diagnose and treat children with respiratory conditions and can given them the best medicines in the world. The real sin here is that it doesn’t matter that I can give them the best medicine, it doesn’t matter that I can diagnose it, I know that if they live next to busy roads or if they live in poor housing – all of these things, in recent times have been shown through tragic situations of child deaths… are not acceptable…

“(I work) day in day out to make sure that all the officers at the combined authority realise the importance of putting public health, as well as the importance of air quality, the environment, at the heart of all policy development.”

To hear more about the role that Dr Nik Johnson plays as a medical professional and a local government leader, listen to the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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As councils face bankruptcy, cut funding and reduced services, and the demands for those services from communities pile on the pressure, the government is set to announce its budget for the next financial year.

In the 52nd episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast Cllr Pete Marland joins host Dan Benn to discuss the challenges that councils face.  Pete is Chair of the LGA’s Economy and Resources Board and Leader of Milton Keynes Council  

Touching on the increase in demand for social care services, Pete said:

“More or less for every ten pounds they (councils) collect, they now spend eight pounds on children’s social care and adult social care. Obviously what that means is that there’s only two pounds left for everything else that councils do.”

Pete and Dan also explored the point of local government if councils aren’t given power to make local decisions, with Pete saying:

“Ultimately, I think there becomes a fundamental question about what the point of local government is if you end up just delivering statutory services set from the middle and not having any local flavour to it.

“What’s the point in local elections if all a local leader has to do every morning is get up and deliver statutory children’s care and not concentrate on what’s right for Manchester, or Lincolnshire, or wherever it may be.”

To hear from a leading voice within local government, listen to the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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How can they do this, however, if they are not accurately representative of those very communities?

Great strides have been made in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, or social class is represented in some way within local government. Chief Executive of Westminster City Council Stuart Love joins host Dan Benn to talk about why this work is important, the different work that is being done in Westminster, and how his background influences his stance on equality and diversity.

Touching on his leadership model, Stuart said:

“I do wear my heart on my sleeve as a leader, and that’s not for everybody. I get that. I don’t think that there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to this.

“The most important thing for me, though, is this has got to be led by the people at the top of the organisation… The whole thing around EDI (equality, diversity, and inclusion) is not something that can be farmed out to somewhere else.”

Stuart also discussed how success in diversity and inclusion can be measured within the public sector:

“The public sector is not very good at talking about why this is such an important thing. But if you look at the changes in our organisation, that fact that our organisation is now much more representative of our communities… the organisation has increased by 10% in terms of our global majority staff over the last six years.

“That means we’ve gone from being around 32% to now 42% of our organisation and, because of that, we have much greater resident satisfaction and residents feel more engaged.”

To make sure you get Stuart’s expert insight on such a key issue for leaders around the country, listen to Episode 51 of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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Councillor Handley delved into the potential that East Yorkshire holds, ongoing transport issues and, touching on just how important the deal is for the region, said:

“It’s really important. We are the last part of Yorkshire to actually have any kind of deal…

“…We need the funding like everybody else, and why shouldn’t we have it?”

Whilst discussing some of the challenges that the deal poses, including the consultation around it, Cllr Handley added:

“We need to let as many people know as we possibly can, and do some myth-busting, explain what the positives of this will be and get the local residents on board so that they’re talking about it and know about it. There’s a job to be done to start with because you say the word combined authority and it’s such a misnomer.

“I really wish it wasn’t in purely and simply because we’re not combining.”

To hear more about the devolution deal for East Yorkshire, listen to the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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As the Leader of Durham County Council, Amanda is brilliantly placed to talk about all of the main facets of such an important deal, especially with £4.2 billion of investment coming into the region. Speaking on this investment, Amanda said:

“[It’s] absolutely immense for a region like ours that sadly, on many of the indexes and scales, is top of all the wrong ones. Where we can make huge inroads is around adult education, housing, jobs, and health, all of which will hopefully change aspirations and the future of our residents in a positive way.

“That, for me, is the most important thing that we’re doing here. Bringing that power and money to local decision-makers who know what the residents in the North East need. We know what skills we need, as opposed to someone in Whitehall or Westminster telling us.”

Speaking about some of the potential challenges of the devolution deal, Amanda went on to say:

“Most people are sceptical of another tier of possible bureaucracy in local government, so the biggest challenge we have is to make sure that, when the mayor - whoever they may be - is elected next year, we hit the ground running and have some things that can be delivered quickly so people see the benefit.”

To find out more about the exciting possibilities of this devolution deal, as well as some of the real challenges that councils in the North East face, listen to the latest Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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Touching on the role that the public sector can play in sustainability, Cllr Jabbar said:

“I think it’s really important that the public sector gives true leadership in this space. I think something like one third of the carbon emissions in the country come from the public sector, so obviously we’re a big polluter in terms of the emissions.”

Councillor Jabbar also spoke about challenges being faced by organisations:

“I think the biggest one has been finance. Clearly the local government sector in particular has had its grants cut from central government by a huge amount and that’s had a very big impact in terms of our plans to take forward projects in relation to climate change, so that’s a major issue.”

To hear what Cllr Jabbar has to say about the mission to achieve net zero carbon emissions, listen to the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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Speaking about the cancellation of HS2, Liam said: “I think we’ve found the process predominantly over the course of the last six to seven years very, very frustrating with the way that the North of England, particularly big cities like Liverpool, haven’t been equal partners in the conversation, the planning and the delivery of that. The way that Rishi Sunak decided to, sort of, obliterate the plans we found was completely and utterly unacceptable.”

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This episode's guest, however, was thrown into the forefront of the government's response to to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading the tracing system and working alongside local and central government bodies.

Host Dan Benn is joined by Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, to discuss loyalty, the pressures of Covid-19, and the importance of transport to a city like Leeds.

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Shantanu, Martin and Dan also touch on the topic of Local Authority Trading Companies, their effectiveness, and how they support innovation and development.

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Speaking on his time in the Royal Air Force, Carl said “they just sat me down and said ‘ do you have homosexual tendencies?’ In that split second I had to make my decision, whether I was going to be true to myself and this was the moment where I could be, or I could lie.

“I think If I’d said no, the Air Force would have been like ‘thank you very much, we just had to ask’ but they asked again, and I burst into tears.”

Carl also touched on the improvements that have been made in workplaces, since that time, saying that “Because of the way that a lot of organisations have moved on, I think they also realise that they’ve got to treat the LGBTQ community in their workforce, with respect. Also, we’ve now got things like LGBT History Month, which we never used to have, and everyone knows about.

“It does frustrate me sometimes because, if you’re a business or organisation that are bringing people in to do a talk – which is great, but it doesn’t have to just be during LGBT History Month or Pride Month. For me, permanent visibility is permanent acceptance.”

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Lucy touched on everything from how to identify the culture within your organisation and how to be aware of the messages you are sending to other employees, to the shifting culture of the modern workplace. Touching on how to work on changing a culture's organisation, Lucy said:

"Step one is definitely to get awareness of it and that awareness needs to come from staff, from customers, and from other people. It doesn't just come from the leadership team."

To hear more from an expert in organisational change, make sure that you listen to the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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 “I think conservative councillors are in a tricky position.” Harrison said when talking about one thing that he regards as one of the most important things for councillors to do.

“They’re in a tricky position because they want to protect the green belt as a fundamental thing and they want to conserve those spaces, but the conservative party also embodies the whole entrepreneurial homeownership, buy your own home. The two actually struggle to go hand in hand.

“I think what that means, when it comes to planning, is that there’s got to be a bit of give and take.”

To hear more from the next generation of local government leaders and gain important insight into some of the most pressing public sector issues in 2023, make sure that you listen to the Public Sector Voices podcast.

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As Chairman of the Local Government Association, James took us through some of the most pressing issues being faced by local government at the moment including the housing crisis, meeting housing targets, achieving net zero carbon emissions, and issues with a lack of funding impacting the services that councils provide. Speaking about the effort councils are making to continue providing for their communities despite dwindling funding, James said:
“Every council is doing its damnedest to support its residents. No two places are alike and that means that the pressures that different places face are different.”

To hear James’ expert insight into the struggles being faced by local councils in 2023, as well as other insightful guests, make sure you tune into the Public Sector Executive Podcast.

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“During the pandemic, sharing data became more important than ever, as you can well imagine. One thing that it shone a light on was the complexities of doing so. Access restrictions and boundaries between organisations have always posed challenges for onward sharing of data and analysis of data, and analysts working within government have often had to navigate complex legal frameworks and isolated working.”

Not only does there need to be a solution that effectively allows access to the data in a way that helps users interpret it so they can make a decision, it also needs to remain secure due to the nature of the data involved. This security element intrinsically has a link to a change in the data-sharing culture of government departments. 

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“You constantly strive towards your goal for a better service, a better life or a better experience for people who you serve. You can only do that effectively if you drive a culture where others can develop to the best of their potential.”

That was the view of Rajesh Nadkarni, Executive Medical Director at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust, as he discussed with host Matt Roberts the advice he would offer fellow leaders having undertaken the NLC Accelerate Programme.

Joined by Tosca Fairchild, Delivery Director for Equality & Health Inequalities and Intensive Support for the East of England at NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I), it was clear despite such different journeys to their current positions, there was a consensus of desire to improve their skills not only for their own benefits, but the benefits of their colleagues, organisations, and service users equally too.

That dictates a strong, conscientious public service leader and is one of the end targets of the NLC Accelerate Programme, which has striven to provide the skills and environment necessary to encourage and develop these skills within their cohort.

With the NLC Accelerate Programme now open to new applicants for the 2021/22 cohort, both Rajesh,Tosca and the other participants of this four-part miniseries strongly recommended that leaders consider the benefits the NLC could offer.

Tosca explained: “The network that we’ve created, through being part of the programme, is going to be in my view invaluable for all 20 of us on this programme.

“As we go forward, we have been introduced to people that we would not ordinarily have come across, we will have action learning sets and people to call upon when, as leaders, things get tough and you need to run something past someone.

“We now have a network of people that I know with confidence, I can pick up the phone and say ‘Rajesh, I’ve got this in mind, can I have a conversation with you to help me?’ [and they’ll support me with that].”

The NLC Accelerate Programme brings together 20 high-performing ethnic minority leaders from across public services, who are currently working at Deputy CEO level and aiming to become CEO-level leaders within their respective fields.

Applications for the new 2021/22 cohort of the NLC Accelerate are open until September 24, 2021. Those keen to take part in this year’s course can register their interest here.

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As part of our four-part podcast miniseries with the National Leadership Centre (NLC), Public Sector Executive is delving deeper into what helps make a great leader’.

Joining host Matt Roberts on the podcast, Parveen Yaqoob, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Reading and Shantha Dickinson, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, discuss their leadership journeys and the experiences that helped propel them forward in their careers.  For Parveen, there was one particular moment which represented a turning point in her career progression.

“About five or six years ago, I was asked to take part in a STEM event for Year 9 girls. I was one of six role models, women representing different areas in STEM, and at the start of the event the facilitator asked each of us to stand up and explain why we were there. I stood up and found myself saying that there weren’t enough women in senior positions in universities and I wanted to see change.

“As soon as the words were out of my mouth, it just hit me like a thunderbolt. I realised I couldn’t say something like that, and yet have no intention of doing anything about it.”

That drove Parveen to make the most of opportunities, and to help guide and support others to come through too. But equally, it also taught her to take pride in her achievements and recognise the success she had achieved in her career, and how she could then turn that into a shareable experience for others.

There are many different ways that a leader can go from having a good career to a great one, with guests Parveen and Shantha’s very different experiences demonstrating as much, but one thing comes across immediately clear: the growth of a great leader doesn’t just benefit themselves, but it benefits everyone across their organisation and in the case of the NLC Accelerate delegates, it benefits the recipients of the public service their organisations provide

Listen to the full discussions with Shantha and Parveen and discover what truly took them to that next stage of personal, professional, and collaborative success, and how the NLC Accelerate Programme has impacted their leadership journeys.

The NLC Accelerate Programme brings together 20 high-performing ethnic minority leaders from across public services, who are currently working at Deputy CEO level and aiming to become CEO-level leaders within their respective fields.

Applications for the new 2021/22 cohort of the NLC Accelerate are open until September 24, 2021. Those keen to take part in this year’s course can register their interest here.

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Joined by Mohit Venkataram, Executive Commercial Director at East London Foundation Trust, and Acosia Nyanin, Regional Chief Nurse for the South East at NHS England & NHS Improvement (NHSE/I), our host Matt Roberts was able to delve into some of the root experiences and explore very honest, candid answers from the guests.

One of the biggest elements, and one which the NLC Accelerate Programme was able to directly intervene and help with, was the construction of strong, valuable networks of like-minded, driven public leaders; leaders who often otherwise might not have crossed paths.

Through both the building of connections among the course cohort, and the implementation of a mentor system, the NLC Accelerate delegates were able to connect, learn and share in confidence.

As Mohit explained: “I think it’s often felt that one is alone in the room. It has felt like that for a long time.

“It is incredibly important to feel in your heart that you have a network, where you can bounce off ideas and where you can feel comfortable, and there’s a safe space to have an open discussion.

“The pandemic made a difference. It taught us that our strength comes in being a group, a collective and in not competing with each other but recognising the experiences we bring in together as a group which makes a difference to the lives of people that we are here to serve.”

Listen to the full conversation with Mohit and Acosia and discover how these two inspirational public sector leaders have overcome barriers and challenges in their career, with the support of the NLC Accelerate Programme,

The NLC Accelerate Programme brings together 20 high-performing ethnic minority leaders from across public services, who are currently working at Deputy CEO level and aiming to become CEO-level leaders within their respective fields.

Applications for the new 2021/22 cohort of the NLC Accelerate are open until September 24, 2021. Those keen to take part in this year’s course can register their interest here.

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Those were the words of Salma Yasmeen, Executive Director of Strategy and Change at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, as she joined two of her fellow NLC Accelerate Programme delegates on the first of a four-part miniseries being ran between the National Leadership Centre (NLC) and PSE’s Public Sector Voices podcast.

For Salma and her fellow Accelerate programme delegates, one of the biggest strengths of the programme was connecting the experiences of a diverse, varied group of public sector leaders to learn from one another and build up valuable connections.

One of the ways that was achieved was by sharing people’s stories up until then, the challenges and successes they had experienced in their careers and their general feelings within their roles; helping to reveal common sentiments among leaders.

Joined on this episode by Gurpreet Jagpal, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of Suffolk and Buki Adeyemo, Medical Director and Deputy CEO at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, the three fascinating leaders shared their own journeys and experiences up to that point.

From experience working in the voluntary sector and in the Middle East, through to a transformative experience in Nigeria, and hard-working summers in their youth, each of the NLC Accelerate Programme members had a unique, rich story to share with our podcast host Matt Roberts.

Jump in and listen to the full stories and learn about some of the transformative benefits that the programme has given these rising public sector leaders.

The NLC Accelerate Programme brings together 20 high-performing ethnic minority leaders from across public services, who are currently working at Deputy CEO level and aiming to become CEO-level leaders within their respective fields.

Applications for the new 2021/22 cohort of the NLC Accelerate are open from September 1-24, 2021. Those keen to take part in this year’s course can register their interest here.

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On Episode 31 of PSE’s Public Sector Voices podcast, we sat down with Peter Hutt, Environment Manager at OpenSky Data Systems, who specialises in helping local authorities realise this potential. And for him, the impacts are often able to felt far beyond the waste management team.

“It’s very much something that’s been part of the waste team’s remit to look at their data and to use it where they can, even if it’s not always recognised because you can see it fairly easily if you have a look. Down to the basic, ‘Oh it’s the summer, we have more people flocking to our beaches, so we need more trucks to empty the waste bins’.

“Data has always been part of it, even when they don’t recognise it themselves.

“The collection of the detailed waste data, the movement from one place to another, gives them a big resource that they could use for planning; and not just for their own planning, but for the planning of other parts of the council.

“For themselves, it’s looking at how valuable would an extra incinerator be for us, in our waste stream, or do we need another recycling centre because we have a big population building up in this area.

“But there’s other parts of the council that could also benefit from the waste data. If you consider the planning department for the new buildings and houses. If we can model what an increase of 5,000 extra people in a particular area looks like in terms of waste, we can look at that and say ‘here is what that would look like if the houses were all semi-detached, here is what it is like if it’s all high-rise. Here is what it looks like if you have 10 acres of green space, and here if you only have five acres.

“It can build into the planning processes as well, so it’s not just restricted to the waste team which would use this data.”

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NALC has been supporting town and parish councils since 1947, by lobbying Government, advising councils and improving and developing the sector, but their challenges now are perhaps greater than ever. 

Sue and Jonathan approach their roles from different angles giving a rounded account of the landscape of local councils, from their relationships with Ministers to local business owners.

With around 10,000 parish and town councils across England, their size, and diversity vary greatly, but the pandemic has shown that the importance of having these councillors on the ground, responding directly to the public is making the sector “as relevant as it has ever been, if not more than ever.”

The pandemic has accelerated what was already happening in the sector, which is that councils are doing much more, raising much more funds to support their local communities, getting involved in things they might not have got involved with in the past and Jonathan believes that local councillors should be at the centre of building back stronger and more resilient local communities.

Devolution, digital development and desires for a restructure, Jonathan and Sue covering everything from the perspective of the first tier of local government. 

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Martina explains how young people’s health is heavily influenced by the wider things that’s around them and why getting people off to the best possible start in life is so crucial. 

She also illustrates through her organisations research the barriers young people face when trying to find secure work and secure housing. 

Following Rishi Sunak’s implementation of the furlough scheme and focus on youth employment, Martina said it was welcomed but hopefully when the economy opens up again a lot of these young people can go back to their workplaces. 

She also discusses how London Youth reported a third of services might not reopen after the Covid-19 outbreak. 

This podcast will tell you all you need to know about ensuring young people are protected for the future with regards to health, work and housing. 

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Councils around the country have been declaring climate emergencies and taking steps to mitigate against it, but Cllr Clare is hoping that now, local authorities will turn their attention to the pressing issue of poverty, and that Central Government will step in too.

The Poverty Truth Commission has been working to enable these conversations between the lived experience of poverty and the professional experience, to de-stigmatise what it means to be living in poverty in England in 2020.

Using a data driven and evidence-based approach, Cllr Clare wants her council to lead the way and give a voice to communities who are being disproportionately impacted. 

Foodbank use and cost of living have gone up but benefits and employment haven’t, leaving many people in England on the brink of poverty, and with the pandemic only adding to financial pressures, many people need support. 

With shame and stigma surrounding the poverty conversation, children and young people are unable to ask for help or share their experience with others, perpetuating the cycle even further. 

“We talk about weight issues, eating disorders, gender, sex and drugs in schools now but we don’t talk about poverty”

This podcast will tell you all you need to know about ensuring your council is on the right side of history with the Poverty Emergency, and no one in your region is being unnecessarily left behind. 

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Eamonn specialises in the environment, devolution and business and regulatory policy and recently authored a report on how hydrogen can fuel a transport revolution.

While the UK economy has reduced its emissions by around 43% since 1990, transport remains the single biggest source, having only reduced by 2% in the same year.

Eamonn talks us through the sectors that are yet to decarbonise and the potential the country has to be ‘first movers’ in hydrogen energy, and reach the countries net zero carbon goals using this ‘miracle fuel’.

His position at CPS makes him primed to have a hand in influencing Ministers and policy on this topic, and he believes they are starting to wake up to the possibilities of hydrogen.

HGVs, Buses and the Railway all stand to benefit from this change but does hydrogen mean bypassing electric?

“The end goal of zero emission transport is what we should be focussing on and it doesn’t matter how we get there as long as we’re getting there.”

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Sir David is the current Vice Chancellor of the University of Sunderland and believes universities have a vital role to play in supporting the social and economic bounce back from coronavirus. 

Exams, assessment and teaching have all had to innovate around travel restrictions, but could new practices be the thing that transforms higher education for good?

Sir David talks us through his new role in social housing, higher education as economic anchor institutes and the skills that are going to drive the green economy. 

Above all, the resounding message of the podcast, was the immense importance of local authorities and organisations, who have been the glue keeping communities together through this pandemic.

“I think, as the pandemic has demonstrated, you ned people who know their local areas extremely well they know how to make local services work how to join them up, how to coordinate them – you can’t do that sitting in Whitehall.

“I think it’s really important that we don’t penny pinch when it comes to supporting local authorities.”

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At less than two years old, the centre is at the start of its journey to equip the public and private sector with the skills needed to harness the unlimited power of data. 

With just under half of Europe’s organisations currently struggling to fill data analytics role - which incidentally are handsomely paid - Steve explains how we are a long way from being able to satisfy the demand.

Steve warns of the dangers of outsourcing your data, saying that ‘outsourcing your data is the same thing as outsourcing your innovation’ and if you take a look at the world today, we need innovation now more than ever.

With real examples of using data to make the lives of the people better, the podcast is there for people who know all there is to know about data, and those who don’t. 

Particular emphasis is put on the potential of using data on the interface between health and social care, to create a more integrated and efficient service. Not one to be missed. 

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With a modest population of 140,000 people, 40% of which are retired, how did this beautiful hub for beaches and tourism get 54,000 people to join the fight?

Leader Dave Stewart attributes the Island’s success to communication, between Central Government and themselves, themselves and their residents, and everyone in between. He also praises the island for being ‘digitally well advanced’, something he was very grateful for once the lockdown kicked in.

Council finances, beach safety and compliant communities are all covered in this week’s podcast, as Cllr Stewart divulges the council’s financial reserves and the fortunate position they are in, compared with others.  

The Isle of Wight, having successfully pioneered the track and trace scheme, is now ready to welcome back visitors to the island, with a ‘safety first’ approach, and is focused on “reengaging and reenergising our economic position.” 

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The area suffered from severe floods that devastated businesses only to be hit with the pandemic as they began to recover, making Cllr Rouse’s first year as leader go from crisis to crisis.

Being a small market town has its benefits, but it also means you have to ‘shout a little louder’ to get the support needed to survive, and with Malvern’s unemployment figures tripling since April, they’re going to need all the support they can get.

Cllr Rouse talks of rescued chickens, emergency planning courses and the importance of putting party politics aside to work for the residents. 

A podcast to celebrate the good work being done and still to do in the Malvern Hills District and across all councils fighting the same battle. 

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Rees joined host Emily Rodgers on the Public Sector Voices podcast this week to discuss the events of the last few weeks and the wider problems the country faces when true diversity is neglected. 

He calls it ‘a big time of self-reflection for Bristol’ as people deal with the symbolic removal of the Colston statue, whilst advocating for the delivery of a full education of Britain’s history. As he puts it; ‘half the truth is no truth’.

Rees talks about the dilemma of being a black politician, under representation of minorities in local Government and the importance of good leadership to tackle institutional racism. 

But as the Mayor points out it’s not about guilt, it’s about open lines of communication to shape a country that works for everyone. 

Listen to this week’s episode of Public Sector Voices for a frank and honest portrayal of the landscape of the city and what can be done to improve it. 

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It is a task that is still ongoing, but rebuilding Manchester up from where is was all those years ago has taken the industrial city, with a falling population, to the thriving, buzzing hub it is today – all under the watchful eye of Mr.Leese. 

A huge part of the vision for Manchester going forward, is the 2038 zero emissions target, something the Council is keen to beat. Making the next five years absolutely critical.

Retrofitting, active travel and a green Council fleet are among the key drivers of reaching that goal, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles across the region to build a strong and healthy population and build an economy of the future ‘using the real strengths that we already had.’

There is already an abundance of good news coming from the city, with Manchester being one of the healthiest places for people to return to work, but as Mr.Leese says “It’s not time to go wild yet.”

Join us on a journey through Manchester’s history and feel part of its future on this week’s episode of Public Sector Voices. 

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As more school children are sent back to school, a lot of anxiety is apparent among children and families, uncertainty and mixed messaging have made it difficult for parents to know if they are making the right decision. 

Cllr Venner tells us about the support available in Leeds and what schools in the area are doing to support their students back into education.

For those families who have found themselves at the centre of more arguments over the past few months as a result of Covid-19 pressure, this podcast aims to provide you with the support and advice to help you through it, as Cllr Venner reminds us the importance of not turning your home “into a warzone” when home schooling. 

With figures showing 25% of children that were in need of mental health support didn’t have access to support during the crisis, it begs the question ‘what is the extent of the damage from this virus?’

Read more at Public Sector Executive 

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Nick has been instrumental in representing local government and their economies through a decade of austerity and has worked to secure devolution packages City Deals through the combined authority. 

The first thing noted by the leader is that the last ten years have been ‘the most extraordinary period in local government’ but that doesn’t stop him referring to his 11 years as leader as a privilege. 

Newcastle has implemented many examples of where they have pivoted and repurposed their resources to support the city through this crisis, with amazing results.

Cllr Forbes’ ambitious plan for the future is a green one, with talks of growing your own food and not letting cars back into the city centre after this crisis, Nick is ready to support a whole generation of jobs created from the carbon neutral journey. 

A champion for local government, devolution and building a greater society, Cllr Forbes shares his council’s best practice and leaves you feeling inspired, certain that the coronavirus crisis poses opportunity for positive change.  

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One of the key points made by Bob was that the UK is one of the most unequal countries in the developed world, and more devolved powers are needed in places in localities to help level parts of the UK outside the Southeast. 

With the coronavirus crisis putting even more financial pressure on local authorities, now is the time for the Government to ‘go big or go home’ and support councils more than ever to get out of the current crisis. 

Where does the coronavirus leave HS2? Lord Kerslake argued for a connectivity revolution but what will the future of the transport network look like? 

Listen to this week’s Public Sector Voices podcast ‘A gradual erosion of local autonomy’ and find out what is needed to level up the UK after coronavirus and beyond. 

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Paula represents the most deprived ward in East Hampshire, and was inspired to enter local politics after realising what is was lacking – Deeds not words.

Alton Aid is a volunteer service that has propped up the local area and protected its most vulnerable residents with food deliveries, tech support and a friend to turn to, and Paula is right at the heart of that service. 

With discussions on food banks, education, libraries and more, Paula’s love for her ward shines through the discussion and leaves you feeling inspired by her rapid response, at a time when rapid response has been critical. 

Find out what local authorities are missing, and why Paula thinks that despite being ‘locked inside our houses’, we’ve never been so connected, on this episode of Public Sector Voices.

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Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield make up the Core Cities group and work to make each region a more economically and socially rich place.

Chris is passionate about the need for locally devolved powers from Central Government, and the importance having local policy can have on the economy now and in the future. 

With emphasis on skills, the labour market and untapped potential, this discussion brings about hope for UK productivity levels, which if all regions performed at the national average, would see £70bn a year put into the economy and £100bn a year if they matched performance levels of their counter parts in Europe or North America. 

Find out how we can re-imagine UK cities post-pandemic and bring about positive change as restrictions ease to safeguard local economies to weather this storm and any future storms to come. 

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Sacha brought events like Warehouse Project and Parklife to the region and in the absence of traditional events, while we try and slow the spread of coronavirus, he is live streaming to the masses and raising money for Greater Manchester.

Manchester has always been famous for its nightlife, something which will be instrumental in the region’s economic bounce back and Sacha is the man to lead the fight. His latest efforts reaching nine million viewers and raising £260,000 and counting for the hospitality sector.

He uses Altrincham as an example of how the food and drink economy can save the local area, a man who is absolutely confident that we will come back stronger.

Sacha’s positive disposition left us extremely hopeful for the future with the words ‘rebuild, rebuild, rebuild’ ringing in our ears.

Find out what the region has to look forward to in the next five years and how the greatest challenges will be tackled on this week’s episode of Public Sector Voices. 

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Joe is currently leading the Institute’s research on Whitehall’s preparations for exiting the European Union, a historical event that has been hugely complicated by the pandemic we’re facing. 

The decisions over the next few weeks regarding how to lift the current lockdown restrictions will be critical for Government and the whole of the UK, Emily and Joe take a look at the different options available and the effect they could have.

Balancing public health with the economy is an unprecedented challenge, and according to Joe, one of the challenges for anyone in that position is reorienting themselves to realise that they are now The Coronavirus Prime Minister, a legacy that he wasn’t expected when he won his big majority in December.

'Transparency is key' is the message of the day and facing up to the huge challenge ahead – Joe is an expert in his field and presents a fascinating insight from the people whose mission is to make Government more effective.  

Listen to this week’s Public Sector Voices podcast ‘Lifting the lockdown’ and find out how Joe would tackle it. 

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Councillor Andrew Western is the Leader of Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Green City Region Lead and delivered a speech at the recent EvoNorth event about GM’s plans for a green city region.

Cllr Western delves deep into the ‘extremely challenges process’ of achieving a green city region in Greater Manchester but instills the importance of doing so.

“The clean air crisis in GM is currently contributing to 1,200 deaths in the city region in each year across all ages.”

According to Cllr Western, Greater Manchester’s approach is the most ambitious in terms of scale and size as the proposal currently stands at introducing a clean air zone across the whole of Greater Manchester. 

“We stand ready to deliver a clean air zone and are more than willing to do so but obviously it brings challenges, particularly around the public transport fleet but also for businesses as well.”

When discussing the notion of fining non-compliant vehicles, he said: “I don’t want to see people paying the penalty, for me that’s the worst option available it’s about incentivising people to change their vehicle.”

This bonus episode highlights the need for a sustainable clean air plan to support the ‘strong and vibrant local economy’ in Greater Manchester.

“We would not drink dirty water so why on earth do we accept breathing dirty air”

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A real whistle-stop tour of the work being done in the North and specifically Leeds. Council Leader Judith Blake joins hosts Emily Rodgers and Matt Roberts for the tenth PSE podcast.

Recorded in Leeds Civic Hall, this podcast is a perfect example of a woman truly fighting for her city. Having inherited an inadequate OFSTED rating and turned it into an outstanding across the board, Councillor Blake believes the key to real change is working collaboratively – but it can’t be done without real fiscal devolution from Government.

Also Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People’s Board and Chair of the Core Cities Group, Cllr Blake is deeply passionate about making a positive change to communities in the North. 

With specific focuses on transport and early intervention services, what needs to be done is keenly apparent, but in the councillor’s words ‘We’ve been burnt before’.

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With hosts Ailsa Cowen and Matt Roberts, the discussion flowed from growth and equality to why healthy life expectancy between people in Manchester’s most deprived areas are cause for concern. 

 Eamonn and Andrew spoke passionately about forming a skilled workforce, not just in young people, but also people who want a career change and the importance of apprenticeships. 

What is being done to make Manchester carbon neutral? And how long will it take? Andrew and Eamonn are here to tell why 2050 is effectively too late. 

The BBC and ITV to GCHQ investing in new tech startups. Eamonn and Andrew both divulge into the catalysts that caused relocations of big businesses to Manchester. 

Both guests explained their plans for Manchester avidly and assured that everyone understands their mission. 

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With hosts Emily Rodgers and Ailsa Cowen, the conversation kept flowing in the PSE podcast room in Manchester as Simone talks us through the shift in business culture and why we need to celebrate role models in the North. 

Not one to do thing by half measures, Simone outlines how she keeps the Northern Powerhouse Minister in check for gender equality and including people of all ages, races and backgrounds into the conversation.

Bringing an engaged community of 50,000 along on this journey with her and the exiting new projects they have to look forward to in 2020. 

 
 As inspiring as she is enthusiastic, she is a champion or the North, and understands why the public sector needs diversity of thought to thrive in the new decade and how connectivity is absolutely essential. 

This podcast is for you if you are passionate about the north, although she did say she was ‘over’ the North/South divide and is working to improve ‘the art of our possible’ for everyone, everywhere!

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We are living in an ever-evolving digital world, meaning people have greater expectations of what it can deliver every day, the challenge is incorporating this into public services as the demand is greater than ever, and the budget…. not so much. 

Integrated health and care partnerships are a central theme to the discussion and why Manchester in particular is leading the way in this respect. Big data and the fear that comes with the journey to the cloud are covered as Martin talks about demystifying the internet. 

Martin argues that cloud-first agendas are not scary concepts, and tech and data need demystifying, so that local authorities can make the most of what’s available to provide for their areas.

Other topics include social value, digital skills, job creation and shared learning and working. There is one area he thinks that the public sector could still stand to evolve further, can you guess what it is? 

Martin looks back at the past ten years and how the digital evolution has shaped public service, from having video conferences on the bus into work, to health data storage – he begs the question, what is there that exists today, that could be done slightly better tomorrow?

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With hosts Matt Roberts and Ailsa Cowen, the discussion was flowing in the PSE podcast room in Manchester as we hear about how the North’s slice of the housing and planning pie has got smaller. 

Do you think decarbonisation plays a part in housing? Tracy divulges why the challenge of non-decent housing plays a part in carbon emissions. 

Tracey expresses her passion about turning discussions between local authority members and housing association towards housing to advance housing plans. 

She’s very keen for local authorities and housing associations to get in touch, and work together with the NHC in aid of evolving housing not just in the North, but in whole of the UK. 

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With hosts Emily Rodgers and Matt Roberts, the conversation covers everything from the social, economic and environmental wellbeing for communities and the key councils working to improve their region. 

Main topics include the function of the Social Value Portal, how it can result in financial gain for the area and demystifying the process of ‘accounting for’ social value.

Guy talks at length about the specific weightings of social value and how councils can generate significant financial benefits by unlocking the potential of their region.

 
Whether you are part of the public or private sector, this podcast is unmissable for developing the potential of your services and giving back to the communities. 

Guy will be joining us at the EvoNorth event in Manchester on the 4th and 5th March, which will see the collaborating and networking of leaders from across the country join forces to transform the North and the services it offers. 

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With hosts Ailsa Cowen and Matt Roberts, the conversation covers everything from the huge projects that have already materialised through this partnership and the huge potential it could bring the region, and the north as a whole, in the future. 

Main topics include the impact on the economy, the transformation of the business district and why this isn’t just a random ‘drum up’ of investment. 

Rhys talks at length about the significance a relationship like this can have, especially in a Post-Brexit Britain, and how it has already attracted industry giants to the area.

 
If you want to know the impact this has on local authorities, or what the future of investment in the north will look like, this podcast is for you.

Rhys’ expertise is in ‘growing and strengthening international collaboration’ and after hearing this podcast, yours will be too. 

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With hosts Emily Rodgers and Ailsa Cowen, the conversation kept flowing in the PSE podcast room in Manchester as we explore with Joe the alternative ways of energy production and consumption. 

Main topics include industrial decarbonisation, carbon capture and storage through the repurposing of existing infrastructure and how hydrogen could be key to reaching net zero carbon. 

Joe’s infectious positivity breathes fresh air into a conversation with a typically grim outlook, sharing his ideas of an ‘Air BnB’ of cars, hydrogen energy and the importance of letting children know that science is ‘super cool’.

 
If you want to find out which sector will be the hardest to decarbonise, how we can do it and why “the North is a fabulous place to begin”, this podcast is for you.

Professor Howe will be joining the line-up of EvoNorth speakers and the conference in March to collaborate with the key people who can help us reach our net zero targets. 

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Covering Northern Powerhouse, health innovation and the exciting things we can expect from Manchester in 2020.
 
 

With hosts Emily Rodgers and Ailsa Cowen, the conversation kept flowing here in the PSE podcast room in Manchester as we challenge Tim to the common question of ‘Is international investment hurting local people?’

Jobs and skills are a central theme to the podcast, with insight into the staggering number of career opportunities MIDAS are contributing to the region by bringing successful companies to our city. Amazon, BA systems, Boohoo, Social Chain and the BBC are among the business giants choosing to operate from Manchester and Tim’s the man to tell us why.

We also ask Tim what Manchester is hoping to attract in 2020, which, whether you are public or private sector, is not an answer you can afford to ignore.

 
 Tim is a fountain of business knowledge, with facts, figures and reasoning that make you extremely hopeful for the future, and to quote him “I absolutely believe in the international nature of this city.”

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With hosts Emily Rodgers and Matt Roberts, the conversation in kept flowing at the Cognitive Publishing offices here in Manchester as we discuss all things Northern Powerhouse. Stephanie’s proud Manchester roots, shine through as we talk about what the future of the North could look like with a bit of Powerhouse magic.

Covering young people’s voices and youth unemployment, to grassroots policy making, this conversation is an insight into the amazing work being done every day to push the Northern Powerhouse forward. Stephanie knows it takes ‘baby steps’ to make these changes but outlines how they’re on their way breaking out of the norm and creating a more successful North of England.

Details about the upcoming People’s Powerhouse event and how you can attend are included in the half-hour chat, including Stephanie’s favourite songs, and a Manchester quiz we invite you all to join in with.

She also outlines the importance of failing as a young person, why we should have to wait until we are in our 30s to fail and why it’s a necessary part of growth. Giving a real account of what her role, as the only person directly employed by People’s Powerhouse, truly is. 

An extra point if you can guess who Stephanie would invite to her EvoNorth event? I’ll give you a clue – he’s Mancunian.

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The panel discusses giving a voice to those often overlooked or disenfranchised in the North of England.

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