In this new episode, co-hosts Simone and Freya discuss the LGIU's Global Local Executive Panel series. They are joined by Head of International Operations, Hannah Muirhead, to talk about the panel series' inception back during Covid, the overwhelmingly positive response it has received over the years, and the future ambitions for the panels. In the news segment, stories of garbage cafes, chatbots to help decision making during elections, and road infrastructure improvements. Some upcoming topics to look out for on the LGIU website, include sustainable and affordable housing, the evolving role of fathers and depopulation. Be sure to sign up for the next Global Local Executive Panel on sustainable and affordable housing, and check out our upcoming training session on social media skills. Show notes: Global Local Executive Panels⁠What's happening in the world of local government this week⁠Everyone can ⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribe to our weekly Global Local newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay in the loop with LGIUSocial media essentials training For even more local government resources, visit ⁠lgiu.org⁠

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 2024The Local Democracy Research CentreLGIU@40 For the Future of Local Government ManifestoWhat's happening in the world of local government this weekEveryone can ⁠⁠⁠subscribe to our weekly Global Local newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to stay in the loop with LGIUState of the Locals eventInterview with community champion: Cllr Hannah PerkinsNominate 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 Centre⁠⁠⁠What'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 LGIU⁠Training on organisational development⁠Session 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 LGIUResilient communities make resilient champions – An interview with Heather WoodbridgeGlobal Local Executive Panel: Increasing gender equity in local governmentPractical 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 2024To chat with Greg about the results of the survey, email him at greg.stride@lgiu.orgStory mentioned about Southwark Council community fundraising⁠Scrutiny training session⁠⁠Personal safety session⁠What'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 EnglandStrategic thinking training sessionWhat'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 For more information on Global Local and to quickly sign up to receive our newsletter every week for FREE, visit here!

For this episode of the Global Local podcast, LGIU's Freya Millard chats with Elke Weissmann and Belinda Tyrrell from Edgehill University about their recent project on using citizen assemblies to address climate change on a local level. The project examines the motivators and communication needed to encourage citizens to invest in tackling the impact of climate change in their local area. More information on Global Local and how to sign to the FREE newsletter!

The podcast has returned to celebrate the first birthday of Global Local in both its newsletter and podcast form!  Over the past year, our Global Local service has helped us connect together a worldwide community of local government members and advocates to share leading innovation and insights on a wide range of crucial topics. From dealing with potholes to humanitarian concerns, Global Local has already tackled over 50 different topics that are important to those at the heart of local democracy. Check out our birthday edition here to see a round-up of all our big achievements so far.  In this episode, host Ingrid Koehler and LGIU's Chief Executive Jonathan Carr-West come together to chat about this exciting milestone along with all the big plans that are in store for Global Local's future. This includes the launch of LGIU's first ever individual subscription service – which means now anyone can sign up to start receiving a wide range of exclusive benefits, usually only available to members.  More information on the Global Local and how to sign up!

In this Global Local Podcast episode, your host, Ingrid Koehler, gives you a taste of her hometown as she interviews Blake Lay, the mayor of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. As the ‘birthplace of Southern Gospel’ and the home of an annual festival, Mayor Lay talks about how cultural heritage and a thriving performing arts scene helps a small town support economic prosperity. In a rural area with few educational opportunities and a declining industrial base, Mayor Lay outlines how they even brought a new university campus and redesigned an old, enormous factory into an ‘industrial mall’. More information on the Global Local Recap and how to sign up - for free!

To follow on from LGIU's Global Local Recap newsletter on the topic of crime prevention, in this episode, Ingrid Koehler chats with Heather Wilson, the Youth Commissioner at Bradford Council, to discuss their crime prevention programme, called Breaking the Cycle.  Plus, as a little twist on the usual show format, Ingrid shares a local government true crime story from Biloxi, Mississippi which involves murder, corruption, gangs and so much more. Joining her to discuss the case is LGIU's Freya Millard, who has experience hosting her own true crime podcast. More information on the Global Local Recap and how to sign up - for free!

In this episode, Ingrid Koehler talks to Jill Riseley, Chief Executive of the Metropolitan Waste Resource and Recovery Group in Melbourne, Australia about engaging citizens in waste reduction and collaborative work with councils – plus, adding a fun circular economy twist to your office seasonal festivities.  Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid also discuss how to cut through the carbon confusion of COP26 and how to focus on what local government does best to support climate change action. All links mentioned in the show are available on the LGIU website here (https://lgiu.org/global-local-talking-rubbish-and-carbon-confusion/).  More information on the Global Local Recap and how to sign up - for free!

This week LGIU's Jonathan Carr-West and Ingrid Koehler talk about the principles of global localism and how the refugee crisis and the resettlement of refugees in local communities is the perfect exemplar. This episode ties in with our recent Global Local Recap issue on refugees and local government.  Other links mentioned in the podcast: A transcript of the interview with Vera Dodic, of the Toronto Newcomer OfficeRefugees and resettlement: our curation of relevant LGIU content.Previous podcast episodesWe also mentioned a piece of research on refugee and migrant contribution to local economies: here's a piece from Nature. More information on the Global Local Recap and how to sign up - for free!

Ingrid Koehler interviews Winnipeg councillor Sherri Rollins on being an Indigenous woman in local government, why representation matters and how we all have a role in choosing the leaders of the future. From Gerald Reid we also find out about Chief Thunderwater who led the call for local government reform among indigenous peoples of Canada in the early 20th century and the dirty tricks used to stop him. See show notes and links here.

On the first episode of Global Local Podcast, Ingrid Koehler talks with LGIU’s Alice Creasy about community gardening and gives a taste of what Global Local Recap is all about. Today's episode includes an interview with Greg Potter who works with the Cincinnati Civic Gardens in Ohio, USA helping communities and individuals get in touch with nature and grow their own food. It also includes a segment from one of our favourite past episodes from Global Local's predecessor podcast, LGIU Fortnightly: a calm walk through the community orchard in Llandrindod Wells, Wales. See show notes, garden pics and links here.