About Behind The Service: A UNISON Insight into Local Government
Welcome to Behind The Service: A UNISON Insight into Local Government! This show is for members to learn about the work doing, hear from those at the forefront of making change and to inspire you to get involved and make a difference. We’ll be releasing a new episode fortnightly, covering topics such as privatisation, food regulation, workers rights and campaigning for care workers, to name a few. You’ll find inspirational content to campaign for better work and a round up of how your actions can help our guests. Follow the podcast, share it with your friends and family, and join UNISON.
Mo Baines (APSE) and Clare Williams (UNISON) talk about all things local government reorganisation #21
Episode 21 is all about local government reorganistion in England, with a smidgeon of English devolution thrown in for good measure. UNISON members are committed to ensuring high-quality public services, and there is genuine concern about the potential impact of reorganisation on day-to-day council services, particularly workforce capacity and retention. With the right support (and funding), the devolution process can result in positive outcomes for workers, local authorities, and the public. Therefore, councils must be well-resourced for devolution to be effective and ensure their workforce is supported, well remunerated, and trained.
Devolution is not the cure for austerity. It can work as long as the vision of English local government is one where power is devolved from Westminster, decisions are made locally, and services are fully funded. Councils and their staff are essential for sustainable economic growth and can make a significant contribution to regional prosperity.
We need to point out that local government reorganisation and devolution doesn’t apply everywhere in England, for example in Greater London and in the North East where it has already happened.
To talk about all things reorganisation, we are joined by two amazing guests, Mo Baines and Clare Williams.
22 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
The Local Government Activists Reshaping Britain's Public Sector with Glen Williams and Lorraine Thomson #20
Welcome back to Behind the Service, and in this episode we’re shining a light on activism and the Service Group Executive (SGE) - invaluable parts of the change we’re able to make.
Glen Williams and Lorraine Thomson are two pioneering voices in UNISON, and they join us to share how the SGE plays a powerful role in shaping the recognition that local government employees are valued and respected, and driving social change.
This episode of ‘Behind the Service: A UNISON Podcast’ covers:
The critical role of volunteer union representatives in driving social change
The ongoing battle against local government budget cuts and service erosion
How UNISON is combating far-right intolerance and promoting community unity
The emerging role of activists in addressing environmental pressures
UNISON
https://www.unison.org.uk/ (https://www.unison.org.uk/)
https://twitter.com/unisontheunion (https://twitter.com/unisontheunion)
https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion (https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion)
Glen Williams
https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-williams-8377a584/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-williams-8377a584/)
23 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT
‘No Jobs on a Dead Planet’: How We Combat Climate Change Together with Stephen Smellie & Michelle Singleton #19
There is only one planet for us, and saving it from the climate crisis has been atop UNISON’s agenda for decades - so how do we continue that fight today?
With September’s Green UNISON Week, this episode of the podcast focuses on the huge potential for change that’s possible with the collaborative power of our members.
Joining us to share their collective expertise, and how you can make an impact, are UNISON Policy Officer, Michelle Singleton, and South Lanarkshire UNISON Branch Secretary, Stephen Smellie.
This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:
UNISON’s role in combating climate change
Why ‘Just Transition’ is a crucial element in the fight against climate change
Challenges of operating on a local level
Balancing limited resources with the urgent need for climate action
UNISON: https://www.unison.org.uk/ (https://www.unison.org.uk/)
https://twitter.com/unisontheunion (https://twitter.com/unisontheunion)
https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion (https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion)
Green UNISON Week: https://www.unison.org.uk/tag/green-unison-week/ (https://www.unison.org.uk/tag/green-unison-week/)
Stephen Smellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-smellie-179516160/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-smellie-179516160/)
Inside a recent episode
Mo Baines (APSE) and Clare Williams (UNISON) talk about all things local government reorganisation #21
Published 7 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Do you think there's any other challenges, or what challenges do you think England's new unitaries will face as they take shape? I think there's an expectation, Rachel, that we have kind of been, I suppose, brought into the issue of unitary authorities on the basis that they will be more efficient. Bigger authorities will create bigger and more efficient services that that scaling up will produce those efficiencies. And I think that there is a risk here, we need to kind of look at how they genuinely take shape and manage some of the expectations around efficiencies. Now, that's not to say efficiencies can't be found, but I think scaling up delivery models of itself is not, you know, it's an oversimplification of what can really be delivered. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
