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So You Want to Be a Director of Highways and Infrastructure?
Stepping into the role of Director of Highways and Infrastructure isn’t just about managing roads it’s about leading with vision, shaping communities, and delivering public value. From strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to climate resilience and workforce development, this blog explores what aspiring leaders need to know, think about, and avoid to thrive in one of local government’s most impactful roles.
Oct 12, 20259 min read


So You Want to Be a Director of Housing? Here’s What You Need to Know
The Director of Housing is one of the most influential roles in local government combining strategic leadership, technical compliance, and community impact. Success means mastering financial oversight, political navigation, and resident engagement, while avoiding pitfalls like rushed change and micromanagement. It’s not just about managing homes it’s about shaping lives with empathy, integrity, and purpose. Lead with confidence, grounded in truth and fairness.
Oct 11, 202510 min read


Turbocharging Housebuilding: A City-Led Blueprint for Urban Growth
In this episode of The Truth About Local Government, Councillor John Merry CBE shares how cities can lead the charge in meeting the UK’s target of 1.5 million new homes. From the transformation of Salford Quays to the role of Key Cities, John emphasises the need for public-private partnerships, planning certainty, and building communities not just homes. “We need to build the infrastructure… not just properties in an empty field.”
Oct 10, 202510 min read


Big Plans, Bigger Questions: Why Masterplans Succeed (or Fail)
Cathy Palmer, Director of Regeneration Delivery at Walker Sime, joins the Truth About Local Government podcast to explore why some masterplans succeed while others fail. Drawing on her experience in both local government and consultancy, Cathy highlights the importance of early-stage alignment, strong governance, realistic funding, and community engagement. She shares lessons from projects like Birkenhead 2040 and Bolton, offering practical insights for regeneration leaders.
Oct 10, 20258 min read


Tracks to Transformation: Warwickshire’s Railway Success Story
Warwickshire County Council has quietly delivered one of the UK’s most successful local rail transformations, five new stations, one million journeys a year, and a strategic role in shaping regional services. From bold vision to technical delivery, their story is a blueprint for councils nationwide. As Mark Ryder puts it: “Success breeds success. If you can take that into new organisations, you unlock even greater potential.”
Oct 10, 20258 min read


Planning for Impact: Advice for New and Aspiring Heads of Planning in Local Government
Stepping into the Head of Planning role is both a privilege and a challenge. In 2025, planning departments face high application volumes, recruitment struggles, and low public trust. This blog offers practical, anonymous advice from experienced leaders covering strategic leadership, emotional intelligence, and operational efficiency. A must-read for those shaping places and leading planning services with purpose.
Oct 9, 202514 min read


Stepping Into Place: Advice for Aspiring Directors of Place in Local Government
This blog offers practical, experience-based advice for new and aspiring Directors of Place in UK local government. Drawing on sector insights and anonymous reflections from seasoned leaders, it explores strategic leadership, relationship-building, cross-directorate collaboration, and the importance of bold decision-making amid financial and structural reform. Readers are invited to share their own tips via info@truthaboutlocalgovernment.com.
Oct 9, 202513 min read


Innovating for the Future: Lessons from the Warwickshire Skills Hub
Warwickshire’s Skills Hub is a leading example of how local government can drive inclusive, future-ready growth. Through strategic partnerships, tailored business support, and a focus on SEND and neurodiverse employment, the Hub has grown from a £100k initiative to a £14m operation. Its success offers practical lessons for councils navigating reorganisation and devolution, showing how to build a resilient, skilled local workforce.
Oct 7, 20259 min read


Making Public Property Work Harder. Rethinking Asset Management in Local Government
Introduction. Why Asset Management Matters Now Local government is clearly under more pressure than at any point in recent memory....
Sep 29, 20259 min read


Insourcing vs Outsourcing in Local Government: A Roundabout Worth Navigating with Strategy
The debate over whether to insource or outsource local government services is as old as the sector itself. From the wave of outsourcing...
Sep 28, 202510 min read


A New Generation of New Towns: What It Means for Local Government
The United Kingdom stands at a pivotal moment in its planning and housing history. With housing affordability deteriorating,...
Sep 28, 202511 min read


Local Government Leadership in 2025/26: Challenges and Solutions at the Crossroads
As we approach 2026, Chief Executives in local government are navigating one of the most complex and high-pressure environments in recent...
Sep 23, 202511 min read


Why the Corporate Landlord Model Is Central to Health and Safety in Local Government
In local government, the stakes around health and safety compliance are not just high they’re existential. When protocols fail, the...
Sep 23, 20259 min read


Invest to Save: How Councils Can Expand In-House Social Care Provision
One of the most pressing and persistent challenges facing local authorities today is the rising cost of social care. Whether it's adult...
Sep 17, 20255 min read


Temporary Doesn’t Mean Second-Class: Rethinking Accommodation Standards in Local Government
Across the UK, councils are grappling with the growing pressures of temporary accommodation. From rural districts to dense urban...
Sep 16, 20257 min read


Property Without Borders: Commercial Thinking in the Public Sector
In a time of mounting financial pressure and structural reform, local government is being called to rethink its approach to property. No...
Sep 10, 20254 min read


Foundations of Change: How Local Government Can Build Homes, Futures, and Safer Communities
“For the last 20 to 25 years, this is the longest I’ve been out of prison. I was released in October last year. I’m now living in my own...
Sep 9, 20256 min read


Planning for Place: Strategic Vision and Policy in Local Government
As local authorities face mounting pressure to deliver housing, drive economic growth, and respond to sweeping national reforms, the...
Aug 29, 202510 min read


Understanding the Disconnect: National Strategy vs Local Delivery
One of the most persistent and often overlooked challenges in local economic development is the assumption that national strategies can...
Aug 12, 20257 min read
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