In this episode of Truth About Local Government, Becky Louise interviews Matt Masters to unpack a crucial question: what makes a truly effective interim leader in local government? Drawing on real-world experience and sharp observation, Matt outlines the essential traits that separate high-performing interims from the rest.

From navigating political complexity to delivering results at pace, this conversation explores the mindset, behaviours, and values that define the best interim professionals. Whether you're hiring, working alongside, or considering becoming an interim yourself, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at what excellence really looks like in these pivotal roles.

In this episode of The Truth About Local Government, I sit down with Keith Burge veteran economic strategist and place-based development expert to unpack the complex machinery behind local economic development in the UK.

We explore how national ambitions are translated into meaningful local outcomes, drawing on Keith’s extensive experience in regions like Tees Valley, West of England, and North Tyne. From evaluating employability projects and appraising funding bids to crafting local economic strategies and impact assessments, Keith shares insights into what makes local plans effective and what often gets lost in translation.

Topics include:

• How combined authorities assess funding bids for strategic alignment
• The role of impact assessments in job creation, employability, and environmental outcomes
• Lessons from evaluating major programmes like the Tees Valley Festival
• Writing local economic strategies sometimes ahead of national policy
• Collaborating with local authorities, universities, NHS, and other key partners

Whether you're a policymaker, practitioner, or just curious about how public money is turned into local progress, this episode offers a grounded, expert view on what works and what doesn’t in place-based economic development.

In this episode, Matthew Masters is joined again by Joe Fyans, Head of Research at Localis, to explore two of their latest publications: "New Stable", which examines how reforming the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) could unlock billions for affordable housing, and "Generating Hope", which looks at the Local Power Plan within GB Energy and the role of local authorities in driving clean energy transformation.

Together, they unpack how local government can be empowered to lead on two of the UK’s most pressing challenges, housing and energy, through strategic investment, public-private partnerships, and systemic reform.