Stories from our Members and readers are always welcome. We’re keen to hear about your experiences, innovations and ideas for what you’d like us to cover. We’re open to any topics or ideas that you think may be interesting to your fellow local government colleagues. You can always submit ideas here or get directly in touch with us at info@lgiu.org.
Topics we’re looking for now
We’re particularly looking for stories in the next few months on:
Cost of living crisis
How is your council or voluntary sector organisation supporting families as they face rising prices of commodities and fuel? How are you supporting your own staff?
Mining communities
The impact of mining and other extraction industries (forestry, fishing, oil, etc) on local communities. How has your local authority dealt with waxing and waning populations and needs as prices rise and fall? How have communities dealt with resources playing out and the need to re-skill? What about the environmental impacts of extractive industries on local communities and eco-systems?
Short term rentals
Have short term rentals for tourism been a benefit or a boondoggle to your area? How are you regulating short term rentals in tight housing markets?
Public toilets
Where do people go when they need to go? Public toilets have been shutting due to Covid and cost constraints. This is catching some people short, limiting their access to social, cultural and economic activities. How is your area helping people spend a penny?
Modern slavery
Modern slavery and human trafficking is a little understood issue with a huge impact on people’s lives. Local authorities can make a difference. How is your council educating staff, contractors and citizens on modern slavery and supporting potential victims?
Convening community action
How can councils convene community action? What are the actions that are supportive of community groups building on their strengths to support each other and make neighbourhoods better places to live? And how can councils make sure that this support doesn’t just mean benefits flowing to the already blessed?
Emergency management
We’ve had a series of unfortunate and largely unpredicted, unprecedented events over the past few years. Are our emergency management services up to scratch? How are councils preparing for the worst better?
Local museums and history
Local museums can be custodians of past and place while also preparing communities to face the future and make a honest reckoning with history and culture. Do you have a great local museum? How are you working with them, supporting them and shaping our current views of where we live?
Abandoned housing
Many cities are facing a house crisis and sometimes the same places have housing that’s not in use or underused? How can we match need with supply?
Support for veterans
How is your council supporting veterans with employment, social and health support? How are you working with partners?
Loneliness
Loneliness has always been a problem, one with severe emotional and health impacts. As we continue to feel the impact of the height of the pandemic and self-imposed isolation during fresh waves of Covid, how are councils and communities building on the lessons of lockdowns?
Get in touch
We have some general guidelines and tips here or get in touch, we’ll be happy to help you shape your story.
