In this episode of Our World Is Local, recorded ahead of the LGA Conference in Bournemouth, Heather Jameson and Nick Kilby are joined by Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, following the authority being named Local Authority of the Year at the 2026 MJ Awards.
Heather and Nick begin by reflecting on a period of major political change and what it could mean for local government. They discuss the pressures facing an incoming administration, including defence spending, the autumn Budget, council funding, housing and planning, as well as the prospect of greater fiscal devolution.
Local government reorganisation is a central theme. They consider whether the current programme has gone too far to be reversed, while questioning whether councils, government departments and advisers have the capacity to deliver such significant change within the proposed timetable.
The conversation then turns to the MJ Awards, with Rob explaining what the Local Authority of the Year title means for North Lincolnshire Council and its staff. He reflects on the council’s people-focused approach, its work across children’s services, adult social care and public health, and the importance of recognising frontline employees.
Rob also argues that councils should be more confident in celebrating success and explaining the wider value of local government beyond bins and potholes.
The episode concludes with a look ahead to the LGA Conference, including the challenges facing the organisation, political change across the sector and the importance of bringing the local government family together at a time of considerable uncertainty.