The Local Councils Podcast

In this episode we take a trip up the Andies. No we are not in South America, we are in Central Swindon North Parish Council, where I caught up with Andy Reeves, the Chief Officer, and Andrew Briggs, the council's Head of Operations, in a football dressing room within the Moredon Sports Hub. Established in 2017 as an administrative construct to address Swindon’s pressing health and deprivation challenges, this parish has grown from a "blank canvas" into a major delivery vehicle for local services. We will be discussing the "tumultuous" journey of the last decade—moving from an empty office with no telephone to managing a £2.5 million precept and overseeing one of the most impressive community sports facilities in the region. From the complexities of service devolution to the "crowning achievement" of the multi-million pound sports hub we are sat in today, Andy and Andrew share their insights on what it takes to build a modern, proactive parish council from the ground up.

This episode features Councillor George McCaffrey, the chair of the Wiltshire Association of Local Councils (WALC) and a member of the Corsham Town Council. George’s journey to local leadership is rooted in a lifetime of service, beginning when he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15. Over a 32-year naval career, he served as a Sea Harrier engineer, maintaining "jump jets" through major global events, including the Falklands War and operations in the Gulf.After moving to Corsham 34 years ago for a posting at Yeovilton, George transitioned into community life, eventually joining the town council after volunteering during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Beyond his council duties, George is deeply involved in two other passions: he has spent 50 years as a football referee—now serving as the vice chairman of the Western League—and is currently training his 28th guide dog puppy.In this interview, George discusses how his military background taught him the importance of listening, how training puppies changed his view on inclusivity and accessibility, and how he applies the role of an "arbiter" to help navigate the challenges facing local parishes today. Please join us for a fascinating conversation with a man whose life has spanned from the decks of aircraft carriers to the heart of Wiltshire’s local government.

This interview features Lance Allen, former Town Clerk and Chief Executive of Trowbridge Town Council, as he reflects on a career spanning nearly two decades in the sector. Having transitioned from a 20-year career in logistics project management, Allen details his journey from serving as a parish councillor to leading one of the largest town councils in Wiltshire. Lance expresses a deep passion for the local council sector, arguing it is the most effective tier of government for making a tangible difference in communities. He also discusses his role as President of the Society of Local Council Clerks. Looking ahead to his retirement, Lance speaks about becoming a grandfather and his passion for long-distance cycling, as he recounts completing an 830-mile journey to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.

In this episode of the Local Councils Podcast, Local Councils Advisor, Ian Nockolds, speaks to Perry Holmes, the Director of Legal and Governance and the Monitoring Officer for Wiltshire Council. Perry is part of the Corporate Leadership Team and is also Chair of the Local Resilience Forum for Swindon & Wiltshire. In a wide ranging interview, Perry discusses his role at Wiltshire Council, reflecting on how a positive and more professional culture within local councils, leads to better governance and decision making. Perry describes the evolution of his career, from a criminal solicitor to his current role. Perry also discusses his love of running and Nottingham Forest, as well as the time he’s spent as a school governor, reflecting on the governance structure that exists in schools and how it compares to the Town and Parish Council sector. 

On this episode of the Local Councils Podcast we hear from Alison Robinson is the Director of Council Services at Calne Town Council. Ali discusses her transition from a County Officer role at the Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils to Calne and her efforts to streamline internal structures and prioritise long-term budget planning. Ali considers the challenges of micro-devolution, as well as the importance of community engagement, as well as her personal commitment to continuous professional development. Ali is also preparing for a 130-mile coastal run in August to raise awareness for the Sunflowers Charity, which supports families affected by suicide.

On this episode of the Local Councils Podcast we hear from Dr Tanvir Bush. Dr Bush is a visually impaired novelist and researcher and in this interview she shares her journey from being a documentary filmmaker in Zambia to a creative writer in the UK. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa as a young woman, she adapted to her condition by focusing on creative writing, earning an MA and PhD. She moved to Corsham in 2012 and became a local councilor in 2020, highlighting the challenges of navigating public life with a visual impairment. Dr Bush discusses her work on Transformational Inclusion which aims to bridge the gaps between disabled communities, local government, and higher education, emphasizing mutual support and inclusive design.

Mark Smith has had a long and diverse career in local government. Over the last 25 years, he's held senior positions at several councils, including Kennet District, Wiltshire Council, and Reading Borough Council. For the past eight years, he's been the Chief Executive of Chippenham Town Council, overseeing significant achievements such as transferring assets and services from Wiltshire Council, creating a successful Neighbourhood Plan, and working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030.In this interview, Mark talks about his career and refelects on his time at Chippenham Town Council, the challenges he's faced and the cultural changes he's been able to bring about. Mark also condisers what the future may hold, both for Chippenham as a town and for the wider local council sector.