What's on the agenda?

In our latest podcast episode, Michael King, SLCC Head of Policy and External Communications is joined by Katie Walding, Clerk to Sway Parish Council, and Estela Hernandez Smith Apprentice Clerk to discuss their exciting apprentice clerk initiative. Katie explains their decision to introduce an apprentice position to manage increasing council duties and provide valuable training. Estela shares her experiences and the benefits of combining work with education. They also highlight the cooperation with other councils to offer Estela a comprehensive training experience, demonstrating how small councils can foster talent while addressing staffing challenges.

In this podcast, Lance Allan shares his incredible journey from being a young parish councillor to becoming the President of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). Lance reflects on his career, emphasising the transformative power of local councils in community development. He recounts his cycling adventure to honor the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of combining his passions for governance and cycling. Lance also discusses his future plans, including the digitalisation of local governance processes and his dedication to sharing valuable experiences with fellow councils across the UK.

In the latest episode of ‘What's on the Agenda?’, our host Michael King is joined by Kevin Roberts, a Consultant in Security Licensing and Events Management, and Helen Ball, Clerk to Shrewsbury Town Council and SLCC Board Director, to discuss Martyn’s Law. They explore how the law will impact local councils, what clerks need to be aware of, and the guidance available to help them navigate these changes. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the future of Martyn’s Law and the role of clerks in its delivery.

In this episode we sit down with John McCarthy CBE and hear his story of the terror and tedium of his five-year captivity in Beirut during the Lebanon hostage crisis in 1986. He details his initial naivety as a young journalist getting to work out in the field, the onslaught of his capture, the enduring friendship with fellow hostage Brian Keenan, and the periods of utter terror and depression. He also touches on the theme of feeling cut-off and isolated, and draws parallels with ordinary people dealing with personal trauma, proving that shared humanity and resilience are vital, regardless of individual experiences.

In our latest podcast episode, seasoned sports broadcaster Rob Nothman gives us a unique peak into the world of sports broadcasting and his fascinating career at the BBC. From Olympic Games to Premier League football, he shares his favourite interviewees, including golf legends Severiano Ballesteros and Tiger Woods. Rob also talks about the difficulties in interviewing high-profile figures such as Jurgen Klopp, and the thrill of interviewing sports icons who have an aura of 'stardust' about them.
We also hear about his unforgettable experience playing at the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta, viewing it like 'going to heaven without the bother and expense of dying'.