A new podcast has launched which gives a voice to local Councillors, Clerks, Council members and other community leaders in Wiltshire and Swindon. The Local Councils Podcast has been created by the Wiltshire Association of Local Councils (WALC) and Devizes based charity Community First. The podcast, which is hosted by WALC County Officer Ian Nockolds, aims to provide an interesting insight into leadership, governance and local democracy by hearing from community leaders in their own words.
WALC is a specialist support service for local parish and town councils in Wiltshire and Swindon. It offers advice, guidance, resources and training for Councillors and Clerks throughout the county. The service is hosted by Community First, with over 240 local councils currently in membership.
As County Officer for Wiltshire and Swindon, Ian Nockolds is in regular contact with local Councillors, Clerks, local authority staff and other County Officers in the region. He is currently supporting and promoting the Positive Conduct Equals Positive Democracy initiative, offering specialist training and webinars for local councils and working with the Local Authority to prepare a programme of training, resources and support for new Councillors ahead of this year’s local elections.
Using his own experience in podcasting, Ian will be hosting interesting conversations which aim to highlight the important contribution and experience of people involved in local government. The first episode in The Local Councils Podcast series is already available on Spreaker and features an interview with Chippenham Town Council Chief Executive Mark Smith. Further podcasts are planned in the Spring, Summer and Autumn of 2025.
Ian is keen to hear from Councillors, Clerks and other individuals involved in local government who would like to be featured on the podcast to talk about their own experience, new projects and initiatives or on a topic relevant to communities in Wiltshire and Swindon.
Ian Nockolds said:
“The Local Councils Podcast is for anyone who has an interest in local government, local democracy and communities across Wiltshire and Swindon. Local issues really do matter and it is always a pleasure to speak with people who are involved at the local level. Thank you to Mark Smith who kindly agreed to be our first podcast guest and I look forward to speaking with more guests on the podcast very soon.”
Community First Chief Executive Lynn Gibson said:
“As a charity that supports and champions people, places and communities in Wiltshire and Swindon, we are pleased to be working with Wiltshire Association of Local Councils to highlight issues of importance to communities in this new podcast.”
