Show Notes
In this episode of The Star Chamber Podcast, Marcus and Michael are joined by Peter Arnold, EY’s UK Chief Economist, for a discussion on the relationship between local government and economic growth. They reflect on recent developments across the sector, including the Government’s latest announcements on SEND reform, the expanding use of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) for councils, and the economic context set by the Spring Statement. Their deep dive explores the relationship between local government and economic growth — historically, today, and in the future. From Victorian municipal infrastructure to modern regeneration and place leadership, we consider how councils influence economic activity, the incentives built into the current finance system, and whether the fiscal model genuinely rewards authorities for promoting growth. Finally, their idiosyncrasy turns to the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, the landmark reform that reshaped local governance in Britain — sweeping away closed municipal elites and laying the foundations for modern elected councils.
More from The Star Chamber
Episode 20 sees Michael Clifford and Marcus Richards joined by Nabeel Khan, Chief Executive of the Oxford Street Development Corporation, to explore the past, present and future of Mayoral Development Corporations. We trace the evolution of development corporations and consider why this model is once again becoming an increasingly important tool for delivering growth and regeneration. Nabeel shares the ambition for Oxford Street, how the new Development Corporation intends to respond to changing patterns of retail, leisure and consumer behaviour, and what it will take to attract investment and deliver lasting change in one of the world’s most famous shopping districts. We also cover recent announcements relating to the first steps of fiscal devolution and the overnight visitor levy, as well as the continued fall out of the Fair Funding Review. Do listen as we pose the question: what can the next generation of development corporations teach us about how we need to deliver places differently?
In this episode of The Star Chamber Podcast, we are joined by Rashpal Bishop, Vice President of ADASS and Executive Director of Adult Social Care & Health at Sandwell Council and Sali Miftari of EY Parthenon, to take a deep dive into one of the most enduring challenges facing public services: the future of adult social care. We explore what meaningful social care reform might actually look like, the challenges facing the sector and its workforce, and what needs to change if decades of debate are finally to translate into sustainable reform. Before that, we turn to the latest developments across local government, including party conference season and the Government’s latest decisions on Local Government Reorganisation. And in this episode’s idiosyncrasy, we explore the Cobra Effect; what a possibly apocryphal tale from colonial Delhi can teach us about perverse incentives, unintended consequences and the occasionally surprising results of public policy.
In this special episode, Michael and Marcus are joined by Iain Murray, CIPFA’s Director of Public Financial Management, recorded just post a busy few days at Public Finance Live 2026. Together, they reflect on the key themes emerging from this year’s conference, from the challenges facing local government finance to the opportunities presented by a rapidly changing profession. They discuss Matthew Syed’s thought-provoking keynote on growth mindset, the increasing importance of leadership and adaptability, and how the role of the Section 151 Officer is evolving beyond financial stewardship into a broader strategic leadership position.
In this episode, Marcus and Michael continue their focus on issues and trends impacting the local government sector, including rising local government debt levels, the Government’s plans for Mayoral Development Zones, and what the Makerfield by-election may signal for the UK’s changing political landscape. They then turn their attention to one of the defining reforms of modern local government: devolution. The discussion explores how powers are shifting away from Whitehall, what successful devolution looks like in practice, and the opportunities, and challenges, it presents for places across England. In true Star Chamber fashion, the episode concludes with an historical detour into the origins of the modern welfare state. Marcus and Michael revisit the Beveridge Report, the famous Five Giants, and the ideas that continue to shape public services more than eighty years later.
In this episode, Marcus and Michael are joined by Stuart Rimmer and Alison Young from Thames Freeport for a wide-ranging discussion on one of the UK’s most significant economic growth initiatives. The conversation explores the role of Freeports in driving investment, trade, innovation and regeneration, and examines how Thames Freeport is seeking to create long-term economic value across one of the country’s most important industrial and logistics corridors. Alongside a deep dive into the Freeports agenda, the episode also reflects on the aftermath of the recent local elections, considering what the results may mean for local government leadership, devolution, economic growth and place-based investment. The episode concludes with an idiosyncratic journey into the history of the Cinque Ports, exploring what a medieval network of coastal towns can still teach us about trade, governance and economic power today.