Predicting the future is a core skill for policy makers and budget controllers – but how do you do that when traditional prediction methods are losing effectiveness? In this think piece, Georgie Smith from Upsides Training, explains how predicting future events isn’t as hard as you might think.
In this episode, your host, Freya Millard, chats with Dr. Beth Heidelberg from Minnesota State University, Mankato, to discuss her very niche specialism exploring local government’s relationship with the dark tourism industry. Providing insightful case study analysis from her own field research of US dark tourism hotspots like Salem, Clear Lake, Holcombe and Amityville.
We’re seeking to understand better the complex industry of dark tourism and its relationship with local government. We want LGIU members and readers to help us. Your input in our poll below can shape the direction of our research in partnership with academics at Minnesota State University.
Elected for a second term as President of NILGA, Cllr Matt Garrett chatted with Thomas from LGIU to discuss his time in local government and future ambitions. He reflects on local government in Northern Ireland and how NILGA aims to bring the sector on a transformational journey in the coming years.
Sharing in LGIU’s 40th celebrations, Chris Elliott, Chief Executive at Warwick District Council reflects on his 40 years in local government and what has not changed. Highlighting the stagnant issues of the sector and growing mistrust, Chris argues that truthful practices need to be ingrained in all local government does going forward.
In this article, Dr Hannah Bunting, lecturer in Quantitative British Politics at the University of Exeter, outlines the core principles of trust, applying them to the context of local governance. Building on this further, Dr Greg Stride adds some additional insights from our Local Democracy Research Centre’s recent work.
In this thought-provoking read, Cllr Baggy Shanker, Leader of Derby City Council, reflects on the deterioration of central and local government relationships and asks, what has happened to the trust in local government? In the midst of unprecedented pressures, he argues that the last thing the sector needs is more hoops to jump.
In this insightful think piece, Cllr Lorna Fielker, Deputy Leader at Southampton City Council, explores the value of trust in local government and how it is perhaps undervalued despite being so critical to achieving aspirations. Is it time to start asking tough questions about the mistrust running through the sector and our communities?
To mark 2023’s Local Democracy Week, Fatema Limbada, Civic and Member Services Manager at Brent Council, highlights their recent panel with young people to discuss youth participation in local democracy. With more and more research finding concerning rates of low engagement among the young demographic, how can those in local government help change the tide?
Reporting on a session between Adele Lidderdale’s, PhD Researcher supported by Institute for Northern Studies, LGIU and Orkney Islands Council, Comhairle nan eilean siar and Shetland Islands Council, this paper provides an island local government insight into whether the Scottish National Islands Plan can provide a vehicle for transformation.
