In this episode of Our World Is Local, recorded ahead of the LGA Conference in Bournemouth, Heather Jameson and Nick Kilby are joined by Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, following the authority being named Local Authority of the Year at the 2026 MJ Awards.

Heather and Nick begin by reflecting on a period of major political change and what it could mean for local government. They discuss the pressures facing an incoming administration, including defence spending, the autumn Budget, council funding, housing and planning, as well as the prospect of greater fiscal devolution.

Local government reorganisation is a central theme. They consider whether the current programme has gone too far to be reversed, while questioning whether councils, government departments and advisers have the capacity to deliver such significant change within the proposed timetable.

The conversation then turns to the MJ Awards, with Rob explaining what the Local Authority of the Year title means for North Lincolnshire Council and its staff. He reflects on the council’s people-focused approach, its work across children’s services, adult social care and public health, and the importance of recognising frontline employees.

Rob also argues that councils should be more confident in celebrating success and explaining the wider value of local government beyond bins and potholes.

The episode concludes with a look ahead to the LGA Conference, including the challenges facing the organisation, political change across the sector and the importance of bringing the local government family together at a time of considerable uncertainty.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode, Heather Jameson and Nick Kilby are joined by Graham Farrant, former Chief Executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, to explore the realities of delivering one of the UK's largest local government reorganisations.

Drawing on his experience leading the creation of BCP Council, Graham shares practical lessons on what it really takes to bring multiple authorities together. From programme management and political change to service integration, IT systems and organisational culture, he offers a candid account of the challenges and opportunities that come with creating a new council.

With local government reorganisation gathering pace across England, the discussion examines the importance of investing in programme management, managing workforce and financial pressures, harmonising services, and maintaining day-to-day operations while delivering transformational change. Graham also reflects on how events such as the COVID-19 pandemic tested the resilience of a newly formed authority and why councils embarking on reorganisation should view it as a long-term opportunity rather than a short-term exercise.

An insightful conversation for anyone involved in local government, devolution or organisational transformation, packed with practical advice for councils preparing for the next wave of local government reorganisation.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

As Reform sweeps county halls, the Greens surge across London and Labour faces tough questions in its traditional heartlands, this special Local Elections edition of Our World Is Local dives deep into one of the most dramatic local election nights in recent memory.

Hosts Nick and Heather are joined by Cratus Group’s Charlotte Platten and Harriet Shone to unpack the big winners, the bruising losses, the rise of coalition politics and what it all means for the future of local government, housing delivery and devolution.

From Reform UK’s breakthrough in places like Kent and Essex to the Conservatives’ surprisingly strong performance in London boroughs including Westminster, Bromley and Bexley, the panel explores why some political narratives held and why others collapsed completely.

The episode also tackles:

• The growing influence of the Green Party in London
• Whether Reform can transition from protest movement to governing party
• The political fallout of Birmingham’s bin crisis
• Housing battles in Barnet, Enfield and across the capital
• Tactical voting, fragile coalitions and the rise of “kingmaker” councillors
• Why local government needs more vision, hope and leadership
• The warning signs for Labour ahead of the next General Election

And underpinning it all is a stark reminder: while political maps may change overnight, councils still face the daily challenge of delivering the basics, from bins and potholes to housing and temporary accommodation for thousands of children.

If you care about politics, placemaking, councils or the future direction of the country, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Hosted by Cratus Group Executive Chairman Nick Kilby and the Editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, the ‘Our World is Local’ podcast is a space to learn about the key figures in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.