BONUS: How the net zero energy transition can make a local impact in your area
This episode is sponsored by Downing. Downing is a responsible investment manager with nearly a billion pounds of assets under management in renewable energy and infrastructure.
This episode was recorded live at the LGC Investment Seminar which was held between 27-28 March 2025 in Carden Park, Cheshire. Joining Martin George, deputy editor of Local Government Chronicle, are:
Tom Williams, head of energy and infrastructure at Downing
Laura Colliss, pension fund manager at North East Scotland Pension Fund
Together they discuss the investment opportunities for the Local Government Pension Scheme to invest in the energy transition ahead of key milestones in 2030 and 2050, the role of Great British Energy and how the LGPS can work with it, and how LGPS funds can use these opportunities to achieve a local impact in their area.
Find out more about the event at investmentseminar.lgcplus.com/
Read LGC's investment content at lgcplus.com/investment
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32:44
How to make community energy a reality, with Wayne Bexton, Fiona Brazill & Debbie Caldwell
Tackling climate change is a key priority for councils across the country, and energy policy is an indispensable part of this work. In this special episode LGC, in association with Capita, is examining how councils can make community energy a reality, and the role of local area energy planning in achieving their goals.
LGC deputy editor Martin George is joined by Wayne Bexton, director of economy, environment and assets at Nottinghamshire CC, Fiona Brazill, head of proposition for sustainability and net zero at Capita Public Service, and Debbie Caldwell, climate commissioner at Belfast City Council.
LGC Net Zero 2025 is taking place in Manchester on 18 June. View the programme and register for your complimentary place here (subject to approval).
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47:53
English devolution white paper: Public service reform
The English devolution white paper outlines ambitions to join up public services, hand mayors more influence over arms length bodies and give them a bigger role in other public services.
What does this mean for how public services will run in the future, will the proposals achieve what the government wants them to, and what is needed to make them work?
In this episode, LGC deputy editor Martin George is joined by Pam Smith, chief executive of Newcastle City Council and Jessica Studdert, chief executive of New Local.
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48:29
English devolution white paper: Devolution
The English devolution white paper, published in December, commits to “a permanent shift of power away from Whitehall” and a rewiring of national government to work in partnership with mayors and council leaders.
Plans include the creation of more mayors and devolution across the country, with more powers for existing mayors, including over how they spending existing devolved budgets.
This is episode two if three exploring all aspects of the white paper and is focused on Devolution
In this episode LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by:
Sean Anstee, director of operations, Devon and Torbay CCA
Sarah Longlands, Chief executive, Centre for Local Economic Strategies
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42:21
English devolution white paper: Reorganisation
The English devolution white paper, published in December, commits to “a permanent shift of power away from Whitehall” and a rewiring of national government to work in partnership with mayors and council leaders.
But it also heralded the end of two tier local government by ordering counties and districts to reorganise into unitary councils.
Over three episodes of The Local Authority, LGC will explore all major aspects of the government’s plans, beginning with reorganisation.
In this episode, LGC editor Sarah Calkin is joined by:
Kevin Bentley, Conservative group lead at the LGA and leader of Essex CC
Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire Council
Bridget Smith, Lib Dem leader of South Cambridgeshire DC
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 being on innovation, fairness, policy change and place leadership.
Between launch in May 2021 and June 2023 the podcast was sponsored by TPXImpact.
Listen to The Local Authority Podcast, Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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