Sussex And The City Podcast Por always possible arte de portada

Sussex And The City

Sussex And The City

De: always possible
Escúchala gratis

Obtén 3 meses por US$0.99 al mes
Sussex And The City is the essential podcast for anyone curious about the future of place, power, and prosperity in Sussex. Hosted by Richard Freeman, each episode unpacks the people, policies and economics shaping one of the UK's most complex and compelling regions. Focused on forthcoming devolution and local government reorganisation, we're telling the Sussex and Brighton story in the 21st century. From climate action and infrastructure to growth, enterprise and identity, this is where business leaders, community voices, policy wonks and creative thinkers share bold ideas for what Sussex could become. Join us for lively conversations, expert insights and provocative questions at a time of major change — whether you're in Brighton or Battle, Crawley or Chichester. New episodes weekly. Always independent. Of, from, and for, Sussex.2025 Ciencias Sociales Escritos y Comentarios sobre Viajes Política y Gobierno
Episodios
  • #32: EMERGENCY PODCAST!

    #32: EMERGENCY PODCAST!
    Dec 4 2025
    The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 32: EMERGENCY PODCAST! Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Martin Webb, independent candidate for Mayor of Sussex & Brighton No Sussex mayor until 2028 The government is set to delay the first elections for newly created regional mayors in four areas - Greater Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, Hampshire and the Solent, and Sussex and Brighton. The BBC reports that ballots originally scheduled for May 2026 will now be held in 2028, with a formal announcement expected shortly. 🔗 Read the BBC report These mayoralties are the political centrepiece of the government's drive to devolve power and fast-track regional growth. Mayors will chair new strategic authorities with powers over transport, housing, skills and, in some areas, policing. Pushing the polls back delays who will set priorities, who will bid for investment, and who will hold authority over major local programmes - just as unitary council reorganisation is being completed. Government reasoning vs political reaction The official explanation is that more time is needed to finish local government reorganisation so new authorities are properly set up before voters choose mayors. Those following the Sussex And The City project since May will recognise this as a familiar concern. But others think the move is politically charged. The Conservatives' James Cleverly has already accused the administration of "subverting democracy". Reform UK's Zia Yusuf suggested ministers were trying to blunt his party's chances, while the Liberal Democrats' Zoe Franklin warned "democracy delayed is democracy denied." What this means for Sussex & Brighton Campaigns and candidates: The delay gives parties more time to select and prep candidates, but it also creates a longer campaign window and uncertainty for would-be contenders and local parties. It would not be a surprise if some of the announced candidates change over the next two years. Policy and delivery: With mayoral powers on hold, strategic decisions that require a regional political voice - major transport projects, strategic housing plans, and coordinated skills investment - may be deferred or handled piecemeal by existing councils. Local reorganisation: The stated reason - finishing unitary reorganisation - underscores how tightly linked the mayoral timetable is to structural changes at council level; Sussex's new mayoralty depended on those legal and administrative building blocks being in place. Political arithmetic: A later election could shift the advantage depending on national polling and local campaigning; opponents argue the delay will change the political landscape. What to watch next Formal announcement and rationale: The government's statement will be important for the detail; whether the delay is purely administrative or also strategic. Local reaction: Councils, business groups, civic organisations and candidates will respond; look for joint statements calling for clarity on timelines and transitional arrangements. Practical continuity: How will work on devolution, bids for investment and partnership arrangements be sustained during the gap? Who will be accountable for interim decisions? Election mechanics: Will the delay change the electoral system, timing with other polls, or the way the new authorities transition in 2027–28? A short verdict The postponement is a big procedural and political shift. If ministers are right that more time is needed for a lawful, orderly handover from two-tier councils to new unitaries, the delay may be sensible. But it will only be accepted by local voters if the extra time is used to finish the structural work and to show, with practical, visible plans, that the mayoralty will deliver better services and clearer local leadership. Sussex And The City So, this was always a possibility, but is big news we didn't expect today. You tell us - would you like us to continue this project until the elections take place, or do you think we need to pause until nearer the time? 🎧 Production credits Host: Richard Freeman Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue 📣 Get involved Want a joined-up Sussex story? Want to help shape devolution so it actually works for people and places? 👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events.
    Más Menos
    8 m
  • #31: Why I Want To Be Mayor (Part Five)

    #31: Why I Want To Be Mayor (Part Five)
    Dec 1 2025
    The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 31: Why I Want To Be Mayor (Part Five) Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Martin Webb, independent candidate for Mayor of Sussex & Brighton 🔍 Episode summary In this wide-ranging conversation, Richard sits down with Martin Webb — a man whose CV could easily be many separate careers. Martin was a defining figure in Brighton's 90s and 00s nightlife, running clubs, bars and restaurants across the city. He has also ran his own local media empire, been a business mentor on Channel 4, a columnist for The Telegraph, a small business author, and, in a twist that surprises many, a frontline volunteer police sergeant for nearly a decade. Now he's running as the only declared independent candidate for Mayor of Sussex & Brighton - self-funding the campaign, clocking up millions of TikTok views, and arguing that Sussex needs "a very honest, grounded, authentic approach" untied to party politics. The conversation explores how his life in hospitality, policing and community work informs his vision for the new mayoralty; a role Martin describes as "not about me at all. It's about getting the best outcomes for Sussex and Sussex people." He has views on housing, anti-social behaviour, nightlife, farming, collaboration between towns, and the "post-Brighton" identity crisis Sussex needs to solve to make devolution work. This episode is brought to you in partnership with: THE GIFT @ The Old Market Home of THE GIFT, a bold new winter feast-game-ritual-show running 3–21 December, step inside The Old Market in Hove for a 360° world of live music, cabaret artists, clowns, communal play and Sussex-made food from Mallow, Pio Mai and CLOUD NINE. Inspired by Columbia's Theatre of the Senses, America's Burning Man and Berlin's Social Muscle Club, THE GIFT is about connection, mischief and the messy joy of being alive. Get tickets this Christmas from 👉 theoldmarket.com 🎯 Why this matters "I want to be an independent now. I don't think the mayor needs to be aligned to one particular problem. I want to speak and act to do good for the people of Sussex." For many voters, the idea of a non-party mayor - one who refuses donors and funds the campaign personally - challenges the assumption that the mayoralty must be run by a big political machine. Martin argues that independence is not a gimmick, but the only way to escape party whipping and focus solely on place first, politics second. He also speaks frankly about the state of Sussex: "People are fed up with how dangerous our streets are, how much housing costs, how much of our environment is at risk from massive over-development." He says his proposed solutions - from Sussex Marshals to a countywide buying group - reflect his entrepreneurial background, his voluntary policing experience, and his belief that 'common-sense' collaboration has been missing. 🧠 Topics covered include: What independence really means in a region used to red–blue–yellow politicsWhy Martin left the Labour selection processHow policing experience fuels his plans for safety, patrols and anti-social behaviour"Sussex Marshals" - volunteers to free up police timeTackling the housing crisis through brownfield-first developmentAirBnB controls and licensingProtecting rural Sussex from "disproportionate" mega-developmentsThe future of nightlife and why towns need tailored NTE strategiesA Sussex buying cooperative for small businessesHow TikTok has made him unexpectedly popular with younger votersOvercoming anti-Brighton sentiment and building one Sussex storyWhat Sussex could look like in 2046 if devolution works "From week one, I'll be tackling the crisis we have got with anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting." 📚 Further reading and references Martin Webb – campaign websiteMartin Webb on TikTokMartin Webb in FacebookMartin Webb on Instagram 🎧 Production credits Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Martin Webb Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue Recorded: Regency Radio, Lancing 📣 Get involved Want a joined-up Sussex story? Want to help shape devolution so it actually works for people and places? 👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events.
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • #30: Opportunity In Sussex Starts With Being Seen

    #30: Opportunity In Sussex Starts With Being Seen
    Nov 24 2025
    The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 30: Opportunity In Sussex Starts With Being Seen Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Donna O'Toole — founder of August Recognition; co-founder of Rewards App 🔍 Episode summary In this week's episode, Richard meets Donna O'Toole - multi-award-winning entrepreneur, awards strategist and lifelong Sussex resident - whose journey from Arundel Castle to global business owner is as remarkable as it is rooted in place. Donna grew up in the grounds of Arundel Castle, where her family worked as part of the staff, before entering care at aged 15 and being given an unusual, life-shaping choice: foster care, a children's home, or what she recalls as "a home for girls with potential". She took the third option, kickstarting a life defined by resilience, ambition and a razor-sharp instinct for spotting opportunity. By 19 she had founded Sussex's first dental nurse agency; in her 30s she returned to education, graduating in English Linguistics from the University of Sussex; and today she runs an international recognition consultancy from the tiny village of Chailey — proving, quite happily, that world-class businesses don't need glass towers. Richard and Donna explore Sussex's confidence problem, the county's quietly world-class business ecosystem, and why a future Mayor must pay attention to the overlooked arts of storytelling and narrative. Donna argues that too many Sussex businesses stay small not for lack of potential, but for lack of visibility, and that giving people the courage to "pitch up, not shrink down" could change the shape of our local economy. This episode is a generous, grounded and surprisingly emotional reminder that recognition isn't always vanity, it can be fuel for bigger things. This episode is brought to you in partnership with: YMCA Downslink Group - For over a century, the YMCA has been supporting young people across Sussex and Surrey. Every night, they provide safe housing for more than 650 young individuals facing homelessness, offering not just shelter but also the support needed to rebuild their lives. Beyond housing, this charity delivers a range of services including mental health counselling through YMCA Dialogue, family mediation, and youth advice centres in Brighton & Hove and Crawley. Their e-wellbeing platform offers digital mental health resources tailored for young people. They reach over 7,000 children, young people, and families each year, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their potential. To learn more or support their mission, visit ymcadlg.org. 🎯 Why this matters Sussex will soon elect its first ever Mayor; someone expected to champion the county, raise its national profile, and create space for ambition, growth and innovation across places that haven't always been encouraged to think big. Donna argues that starts with confidence: "You can achieve anything that you want to achieve, just so long as you believe in yourself and you set some goals and you work at it." And with visibility: "Aim high and pitch up. You don't need to always think local… you're serving your clients nationally. So why are you not getting national recognition?" Sussex isn't short of creativity, entrepreneurship or grit. But we are short of a shared narrative about success, and as Donna wants devolution to support a new strategy, confidence and culture change. 🧠 Topics covered include: Growing up in Arundel Castle, and how early instability shaped Donna's resilienceThe extraordinary "home for girls with potential" and its lifelong impactStarting Sussex's first dental nurse agency as a teenagerWhy awards can matter for business growth, leadership confidence and community impactHow Sussex founders underplay their achievementsThe barriers holding back small businesses from competing nationallyWhat the King's Awards for Enterprise tell us about real economic trendsHow the pandemic shifted recognition from financial metrics to people-first storiesWhy a Sussex Mayor must understand the power of storytelling, ambition and visibilityHow she thinks her new business will make recognition more inclusiveThe need for county-wide consistency in employer supportWhy success for Sussex must be defined by more than GDP or headcount "It's hard to read the label when you're sitting inside the jam jar." 📚 Further reading and references Donna's websiteAugust Recognition – awards & recognition consultancyThe King's Awards for EnterpriseDent Global / Key Person of Influence 🎧 Production credits Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Donna O'Toole Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue Recorded: At Projects The Lanes, Brighton 📣 Get involved Want a joined-up Sussex story? Want to help shape devolution so it actually works for people and places? 👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events.
    Más Menos
    31 m
Todavía no hay opiniones