Behind The Service: A UNISON Insight into Local Government

Episode 21 is all about local government reorganistion in England, with a smidgeon of English devolution thrown in for good measure. UNISON members are committed to ensuring high-quality public services, and there is genuine concern about the potential impact of reorganisation on day-to-day council services, particularly workforce capacity and retention. With the right support (and funding), the devolution process can result in positive outcomes for workers, local authorities, and the public. Therefore, councils must be well-resourced for devolution to be effective and ensure their workforce is supported, well remunerated, and trained.
Devolution is not the cure for austerity. It can work as long as the vision of English local government is one where power is devolved from Westminster, decisions are made locally, and services are fully funded. Councils and their staff are essential for sustainable economic growth and can make a significant contribution to regional prosperity.
We need to point out that local government reorganisation and devolution doesn’t apply everywhere in England, for example in Greater London and in the North East where it has already happened.
To talk about all things reorganisation, we are joined by two amazing guests, Mo Baines and Clare Williams.

Welcome back to Behind the Service, and in this episode we’re shining a light on activism and the Service Group Executive (SGE) - invaluable parts of the change we’re able to make.
Glen Williams and Lorraine Thomson are two pioneering voices in UNISON, and they join us to share how the SGE plays a powerful role in shaping the recognition that local government employees are valued and respected, and driving social change.
This episode of ‘Behind the Service: A UNISON Podcast’ covers:
The critical role of volunteer union representatives in driving social change

The ongoing battle against local government budget cuts and service erosion

How UNISON is combating far-right intolerance and promoting community unity

The emerging role of activists in addressing environmental pressures

UNISON
https://www.unison.org.uk/
https://twitter.com/unisontheunion
https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion
Glen Williams
https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-williams-8377a584/

There is only one planet for us, and saving it from the climate crisis has been atop UNISON’s agenda for decades - so how do we continue that fight today?
With September’s Green UNISON Week, this episode of the podcast focuses on the huge potential for change that’s possible with the collaborative power of our members. 
Joining us to share their collective expertise, and how you can make an impact, are UNISON Policy Officer, Michelle Singleton, and South Lanarkshire UNISON Branch Secretary, Stephen Smellie.
This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:
UNISON’s role in combating climate change

Why ‘Just Transition’ is a crucial element in the fight against climate change

Challenges of operating on a local level

Balancing limited resources with the urgent need for climate action

UNISON: https://www.unison.org.uk/
https://twitter.com/unisontheunion
https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion
Green UNISON Week: https://www.unison.org.uk/tag/green-unison-week/
Stephen Smellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-smellie-179516160/

The care sector has a glimmer of hope in the form of a new National Care Service, but such optimism comes after too many years of unsung heroes keeping the sector together.
One such hero is Dimension UK’s Samantha Thornton, who joins us on the UNISON Local Government Podcast alongside our Senior National Officer for Social Care, Gavin Edwards.
We cover the difference that our Ethical Care Charter makes to carers, the ambitions for a proposed Fair Pay Agreement, and the past & future states of the care sector in the UK right now.
This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:
The current state of the care sector, and a typical day for those working within it

What a National Care Service would mean for care workers and the public

The Fair Pay Agreement, and the difference it’d make for care workers

UNISON’s campaigning in the sector and its impacts on the workforce

Advice for care & support workers currently in the profession

UNISON
https://www.unison.org.uk/
https://twitter.com/unisontheunion
https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

14 years of austerity has hit local government services brutally, but have you ever wondered about the extent of the damage caused?
Between Alan Waters’ experience as Former Leader of Norwich City Council and Laura Webster’s time working with Woking as they faced a bankruptcy situation, this podcast episode exposes the harsh reality of local government funding.
Discover the impact of persistent cuts on your local services, and how the money moves behind the scenes, in episode 17 of the UNISON Local Government Podcast. 

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:
The complexity of local government finance, and how councils have been squeezed by austerity measures
Laura’s experiences with Woking Council’s financial troubles from within
How many local government challenges trace back to central government mismanagement
What power we have to improve local government’s situation
How a decade of budget cuts has undermined local democracy and sustainability of public services

UNISON: https://www.unison.org.uk/
https://twitter.com/unisontheunion
https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion
Alan Waters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-waters-6a723734/
Laura Webster: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-webster-36b66a77/