LGIU Podcast LGIU

In this new episode, co-hosts Simone and Freya discuss all things local elections. Dr Andrew Walker joins them to chat about the release of LGIU's highly anticipated Ones to Watch guide for elections in England, which highlights some of the biggest battlegrounds to watch out for. Plus, the team chats about the value and importance of participating in local elections and why they matter.



In the news segment, stories of AI tools to help clean up streets, effective anti-pollution programmes and proposed reforms to gag disorderly councillors at meetings.



Some upcoming topics to look out for from LGIU, include the modern role of libraries, the behind-the-scenes of running elections and the future of sustainable and affordable housing. And, the must-attend event for all interested in local elections – and democracy as a whole – is our upcoming State of the Locals panel discussion!

Show notes:


England Local Elections: Ones to Watch guide 2024
The Local Democracy Research Centre
LGIU@40 For the Future of Local Government Manifesto
What's happening in the world of local government this week
Everyone can ⁠⁠⁠subscribe to our weekly Global Local newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to stay in the loop with LGIU
State of the Locals event
Interview with community champion: Cllr Hannah Perkins
Nominate a councillor for Cllr Awards 2024

For even more local government resources, visit lgiu.org

In this new episode, co-hosts Simone and Freya shine the spotlight on the LGIU's Local Democracy Research Centre. Joining them to share all the details about the Centre's inception, current work and future ambitions is Dr. Andrew Walker and Dr. Greg Stride. From passion projects to the practical application of research in the local government sector, the LDRC really has carved a space for itself in a very short amount of time.



In the news segment, stories of reducing waste, addressing homelessness and encouraging healthier modes of transport are shared. Plus, some upcoming topics to look out for from LGIU, including the eco-system of health and fast fashion, and some great training sessions on organisational development and report writing.



Find out what’s new at LGIU at ⁠lgiu.org⁠ – the Local Government Information Unit. We are a non-partisan, non-profit organisation for local government and anyone interested in local democracy.



Show notes:


The Local Democracy Research Centre
⁠⁠⁠What's happening in the world of local government this week?⁠⁠⁠
Everyone can ⁠⁠⁠subscribe to our weekly Global Local newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to stay in the loop with LGIU
⁠Training on organisational development⁠
Session on how to write an impactful policy briefing/report for decision



For even more local government resources, visit ⁠⁠lgiu.org⁠⁠

In this episode of “What’s New at LGIU”, co-hosts Simone and Freya discuss the launch of the annual Cllr Awards, celebrating the hard work of councillors who are advocating for and making a big impact on their communities.

Simone shares details about the nomination process, the five award categories, and past winners. They also talk about the Global Local Showcase, which celebrates innovative and impactful local government practices from around the world.

Listeners also get to hear from previous Cllr Award winners who share their experience of the event.

In the news segment, Simone and Freya discuss some of the latest stories from local government around the world, including some innovative citizen science to help fish reproduce; a campaign to improve equality in local representation; and a brand-new toilet tour for tourists!

Find out what’s new at LGIU at lgiu.org – the Local Government Information Unit. We are a non-partisan, non-profit organisation for local government and anyone interested in local democracy.

Show notes:


Click here for all things Cllr Awards and to nominate a councillor.
Find out more about the Global Local Showcase here.
⁠⁠What's happening in the world of local government this week?⁠⁠
Everyone can ⁠⁠subscribe to our weekly Global Local newsletter⁠⁠ to stay in the loop with LGIU
Resilient communities make resilient champions – An interview with Heather Woodbridge
Global Local Executive Panel: Increasing gender equity in local government
Practical project management training session

For even more local government resources, visit ⁠lgiu.org⁠

This week, the big story at LGIU is the results of our 2024 State of Local Government Finance survey in England, which has gained vast attention across the sector and the media.

Joining the podcast to tell us all about the surprising results and the wider response so far is Dr Greg Stride, from the LGIU's Local Democracy Research Centre.

During our chat, we introduced a new game called 'six degrees of local government'. Greg faces the challenge of linking the word 'coincidence' back to local government in six connections or less – did he do it? Listen to find out!

We also spotlight three great stories from the world of local government this week and highlight some of the exciting topics and events coming up at LGIU!

Find out what’s new at LGIU – the Local Government Information Unit. We are a non-partisan, non-profit organisation for local government and anyone interested in local democracy.

Show notes:


Results from the State of Local Government Finance in England 2024
To chat with Greg about the results of the survey, email him at greg.stride@lgiu.org
Story mentioned about Southwark Council community fundraising
⁠Scrutiny training session⁠⁠
Personal safety session
⁠What's happening in the world of local government this week?⁠
Everyone can ⁠subscribe to our weekly Global Local newsletter⁠ to stay in the loop with LGIU

For even more local government resources, visit lgiu.org

What’s new at LGIU – the Local Government Information Unit. We are a non-partisan, non-profit organisation for local government and anyone interested in local democracy.



This week, the big story at LGIU is the launch of the State of Local Government Finance in England survey. The man behind it this year, Dr Greg Stride from the LGIU's Local Democracy Research Centre, joins the podcast to share more about the survey aims and his predictions for what the results might reveal.



If you're an LGIU member, you can ask Greg your own questions at our upcoming member-exclusive Ask the Expert event.



We also spotlight three great stories from the world of local government this week and some of the exciting topics and events coming up at LGIU!



Show notes:


Ask the Expert: The state of local government finance in England
Strategic thinking training session
What's happening in the world of local government this week?
Everyone can subscribe to our weekly Global Local newsletter to stay in the loop with LGIU

In this Global Local Podcast episode, your host, Freya Millard, chats with Dr. Beth Heidelberg from Minnesota State University, Mankato, to discuss her very niche specialism exploring local government's relationship to the dark tourism industry. Providing insightful case study analysis from her own field research of US dark tourism hotspots like Salem, Clear Lake, Holcombe and Amityville.



Be sure to check out our full Global Local newsletter on the underexplored relationship between local government and dark tourism at lgiu.org – Coming October 31st, subscribe for FREE today!



Other links mentioned in the show:

Beth's feature for LGIU on 10 key lessons of dark tourism from Salem (Link goes live on October 31st and will be included in the newsletter – subscribe to not miss it!)

Managing ghosts: exploring local government's involvement in dark tourism research by Prof. Beth Heidelberg

Not fade away: a case study of Clear Lake, Iowa and municipal involvement in dark tourism research by Prof. Beth Heidelberg



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