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What does a council leader actually do? How do big decisions get made? And what really sits behind the hundreds of services a council delivers every day?

In the first episode of In Conversation – North Lincolnshire Council’s sister podcast – residents get an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how the council works – featuring a candid discussion between council leader, Cllr Rob Waltham and Chief Executive Alison Barker.

Listeners will hear why local government is far more than bins, roads and budgets – and how thousands of daily decisions shape life “from the moment a child is born”.

“This job makes a difference to people’s lives every single day,” says Barker. “That breadth of impact is huge – and it’s why we must keep learning, keep changing and keep doing what works.”

The conversation dives into leadership, culture, and how the council continually adapts to a fast-changing world.

“Our children’s services are outstanding because they’re not static,” Barker explains. “They try things. Sometimes they don’t work – and that’s okay, because that’s how you learn.”

Cllr Waltham offers a frank look at public expectations: “People think councils are just about the bins or the roads. But we deliver more than 700 statutory services – and we use that influence to make life better for people every single day.”

The episode also reveals the strong leadership partnership at the top of the organisation.

“Alison was absolutely the right choice for this council,” Cllr Waltham says. “Our values align – it’s about giving real purpose to people, and making North Lincolnshire the best it can be.”

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The hidden work behind more than 700 council services
• How leaders make tough decisions with real-world impact
• Why learning from mistakes is a core part of the council’s culture
• What “outstanding” looks like behind the scenes
• How communities and residents shape the council’s priorities
• The values driving the Leader and Chief Executive
• Why a modern council must stay agile, experimental and people-focused
• How North Lincolnshire is building a better future by investing in what works

The full episode is now available on YouTube and Spotify.

The post What really happens inside your council? New ‘In Conversation’ episode reveals all appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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