Truth about Local Government

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) isn’t just about drawing new boundaries it’s about what happens in the first 100 days when governance design, delegation, and political confidence collide with real-world planning decisions. In this episode, we talk to Rowan Cole, Thought Leader on LGR & Founder and Director of COALFACE, about what truly determines whether reorganisation improves planning outcomes. We’ll explore lessons from Dorset, Somerset, and Northumberland, the early warning signs of drift, and why public trust and democratic legitimacy become operational issues. Plus, we’ll dive into The First 100 Days Playbook and how AI could help councils navigate the chaos.

In this episode of Truth About Local Government, I sit down with Averil Price author of The Legacy Coach: Your Next Chapter, Your Legacy, Your Way, available on Amazon. After more than two decades as a Local Authority Director, Averil made the bold transition to running her own consultancy, Avie Consultancy, where she helps public sector leaders navigate career changes, promotions, or retirement while celebrating the impact they’ve made.We explore the inspiration behind her book, including how a life-changing brain haemorrhage shaped its themes, and dive into what “legacy” really means beyond job titles. Averil shares practical tools from her coaching practice such as journaling and mind mapping to help leaders clarify their next chapter and define their legacy on their own terms.Whether you’re a senior leader planning your future or simply curious about creating a meaningful professional journey, this conversation is packed with insights on purpose, resilience, and reinvention.Key Takeaways:Legacy is about impact and intention, not just roles.Practical exercises to help leaders reflect and plan their next chapter.Why journaling and mind mapping can unlock clarity and confidence.Connect with Averil:The Legacy Coach is available on AmazonLearn more about her work at Avie Consultancy and explore coaching opportunities.

In this episode of Truth About Local Government, Matthew Masters speaks with Professor Rafaela Neiva, Professor in Public Sociology at Liverpool Business School and a leading expert in cultural policy and social innovation. Rafaela’s work sits at the intersection of arts, health, and business, shaping strategies that have influenced European Capitals of Culture, improved public health, and driven innovation across sectors. We’ll explore what it truly takes to create a City of Culture, beyond the headlines and branding, looking at the planning, partnerships, and evidence-based approaches that deliver lasting impact for communities and economies.

Transformation in local government is often framed as a necessity driven by financial pressures, rising demand, and the need to modernise services. Yet, despite widespread efforts, success remains elusive. According to ChangingPoint, 70% of organisational change initiatives fail, and only one-third fully meet their intended goals. In this episode, Ashley Roper and Steve Mawn explore what councils could do differently to improve outcomes and embed sustainable change.Ashley Roper, a technologist and Founding Partner at RPNA, argues that transformation must begin with a clear understanding of outcomes. He warns against the common pitfall of leading with technology rather than purpose. Councils often invest in digital tools without first assessing the needs of citizens or the current state of their IT infrastructure. Roper advocates for a baseline assessment evaluating performance, user perception, skills, supply chain capacity, and business processes. This approach enables councils to identify gaps and align technology with strategic goals.Steve Mawn, who leads ICT and Transformation at Strata Service Solutions, brings a practitioner’s perspective from a shared service model supporting three councils in the South West. He highlights the importance of governance, flexibility, and long-term planning. Strata’s 2025–26 business plan includes major infrastructure upgrades such as cloud migration, CRM integration, and telephony replacement all designed to support transformation across partner councils. Mawn stresses that transformation must be embedded in operational delivery, not treated as a separate initiative. His team completed thousands of projects last year, with an average support rating of 4.5 out of 5, demonstrating the value of consistent service and staff engagement.Both guests agree that business readiness and user adoption are critical. Councils must invest in change management, staff training, and communication to ensure that new systems are not only implemented but embraced. The Local Government Association’s transformation programme echoes this, offering councils support to boost capacity and capability, with a focus on data-driven tools and continuous improvement.The episode also touches on the need for strategic sequencing. Transformation should not begin with structural reorganisation or system replacement alone. Instead, councils should stabilise core services, build internal capability, and then scale change. This phased approach is supported by the Institute for Government, which recommends that councils undergoing reorganisation prioritise “safe and legal” operations before embarking on long-term service redesign.

In this we had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Riley, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Barrett Values Centre, to explore the transformative power of organisational culture. Emma shares insights from her work at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and values, highlighting how culture can be a driving force in successful change processes. The conversation delves into the Barrett Values Centre’s approach to cultural transformation, the role of values in leadership, and how organisations can align who they are with what they do to unlock their full potential. Whether you're leading change, navigating uncertainty, or striving for high performance, this episode offers practical wisdom and inspiration for building resilient, values-driven organisations.