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PODCASTS

Our World is Local: Local government reorganisation with Simon Kaye

Simon Kaye, policy director at the think tank Reform, explores the competing visions for future council structures, the tug-of-war between county and district authorities, and the thorny issue of scale versus locality

In this episode of Our World is Local, Heather Jameson is joined by guest co-host Dan Humphreys, Cratus Group, for a deep dive into the hot topic dominating local government: Reorganisation.

Together with special guest Simon Kaye, policy director at the think tank Reform, they explore the competing visions for future council structures, the tug-of-war between county and district authorities, and the thorny issue of scale versus locality.

From boundary battles in Rutland to bold thinking on economies of context, this episode unpacks the political, practical, and cultural challenges facing local government reform. We also reflect on the roles of councillors, mayors, and strategic authorities in shaping public services and what true local leadership could look like in a reshaped system.

Usually hosted by Cratus Group CEO 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 find previous episodes here, on Spotify or wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

 

PODCASTS

Future Forum: Reorganisation threat to transformation

By Martin Ford | 12 March 2026

Fears that ambitions to include transformation alongside local government reorganisation may not be realised have been voiced at The MJ’s Future Forum.

PODCASTS

How to tackle the challenges of 2026

By Paul Marinko | 11 March 2026

Local government has entered a time of unprecedented change despite continuing to face particular financial and service strain. Nonetheless, this round table...

PODCASTS

Membership manoeuvres

By Paul Marinko | 11 March 2026

How are the groups representing councils positioning themselves to secure members as the pace of reorganisation increases? Paul Marinko reports.

PODCASTS

Pushing for localism

By Heather Jameson | 10 March 2026

Ahead of the Liberal Democrat’s spring conference, Heather Jameson talks to their local government spokesperson Zöe Franklin about the ‘really problematic’ d...