Lot of commentary on Burnham’s speech asking (not unreasonably) how his commitment to devolution will be different to Levelling Up etc. Well, if he follows through on also reforming Whitehall to work in support of places’ ambitions, rather than against them that will make a huge difference

2025 was a big year for local government, and 2026 looks set to be just as huge. In the latest episode of The Local Authority the LGC news team tries to make sense of it all and looks ahead to 2026. @kirstyweakley.bsky.social @martinrgeorge.bsky.social www.podbean.com/ep/pb-5d89t-...

The highlight of my first day at Labour conference, watching a bunch of game but slightly embarrassed council leaders sporting their new ‘build baby baby’ hats. Wearing them a 3 line whip from the new SoS apparently

Are you a councillor thinking about how your role could change following LGR? Join a free to attend event on 4 November featuring @jesstud.bsky.social, Mel Stevens of @cfgs.bsky.social and @catherinemangan.bsky.social Find out more and sign up here 👇 www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...

Have written for the Local Government Chronicle on how to rebalance the country. A more balanced country with places having the autonomy and resources to deliver for themselves can be the foundation of national renewal. www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev... @sarahcalkin.bsky.social

"I can't take another meeting with baby civil servants"... Telling quote from a district chief exec in this piece by @sarahcalkin.bsky.social. One of the problems with the scale of reorganisation is there won't be enough senior civil servants to do the engagement. www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...

The government believes devolution will help restore trust in politics, but it must tread carefully - my LGC Briefing on the politics of yesterday’s decision to cancel nine council elections to fast track local government reorganisation www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...

My thoughts on the English devolution question and what it means for place - LGC *Paywall* @sarahcalkin.bsky.social www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...

We're still waiting to find out which areas are going to be on the devolution priority programme, which means I got to spend this afternoon writing about what it means to be an Essex girl www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...

Made it at last. Seems nice 👋