Podcast by The SLCC Podcasting Team
What's on the agenda?
Insightful content, tips and Q&A sessions for town and parish clerks, mixed in with keynote interviews and in-depth features.
What's on the agenda?
Latest episodes
28 March 2025
Martyn’s Law and Local Councils: The Road Ahead
In the latest episode of ‘What's on the Agenda?’, our host Michael King is joined by Kevin Roberts, a Consultant in Security Licensing and Events Management, and Helen Ball, Clerk to Shrewsbury Town Council and SLCC Board Director, to discuss Martyn’s Law. They explore how the law will impact local councils, what clerks need to be aware of, and the guidance available to help them navigate these changes. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the future of Martyn’s Law and the role of clerks in its delivery.
00:00
16:31
17 December 2024
Through the Darkness: John McCarthy's Tale of Captivity and Resilience
In this episode we sit down with John McCarthy CBE and hear his story of the terror and tedium of his five-year captivity in Beirut during the Lebanon hostage crisis in 1986. He details his initial naivety as a young journalist getting to work out in the field, the onslaught of his capture, the enduring friendship with fellow hostage Brian Keenan, and the periods of utter terror and depression. He also touches on the theme of feeling cut-off and isolated, and draws parallels with ordinary people dealing with personal trauma, proving that shared humanity and resilience are vital, regardless of individual experiences.
00:00
14:20
05 December 2024
In the Spotlight: Rob Nothman’s Journey as a BBC Sports Presenter
In our latest podcast episode, seasoned sports broadcaster Rob Nothman gives us a unique peak into the world of sports broadcasting and his fascinating career at the BBC. From Olympic Games to Premier League football, he shares his favourite interviewees, including golf legends Severiano Ballesteros and Tiger Woods. Rob also talks about the difficulties in interviewing high-profile figures such as Jurgen Klopp, and the thrill of interviewing sports icons who have an aura of 'stardust' about them.
We also hear about his unforgettable experience playing at the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta, viewing it like 'going to heaven without the bother and expense of dying'.
00:00
14:46
03 December 2024
At the Outset with Gina Lopes PSLCC: The President’s Year Ahead
In this episode we sit down with Gina Lopes PSLCC, the 2024/25 SLCC President, following a historic election aspresident, and re-election as a director of SLCC on the same day. Gina shows her readiness to undertake the demanding nature of her new role, expressing her enthusiasm for the chance to visit as many branches as possible, and raise the profile of clerks globally through meeting international counterparts.
Gina also takes us through her career from how she got into clerking over 20 years ago, to now being President of SLCC, and provides insights into her chosen charities, White Ribbon UK, and the SLCC Educational Trust.
00:00
10:40
25 November 2024
Understanding the White Ribbon Campaign
In this episode we talk to Steve Trice PSLCC, SLCC Director and Clerk to Haywards Heath Town Council, Sharron Jones FSLCC, SLCC Director and Clerk to Hawarden Community Council, Gina Lopes PSLCC, SLCC President, SLCC Director and Clerk to Stoke Ferry Parish Council, and Adam Keppel-Green FSLCC, SLCC Chair and Clerk to Knutsford Town Council, about the White Ribbon campaign, how it fits into SLCC's broader mission, and why it is such an important cause to support.
The White Ribbon campaign promotes an end to violence against women and girls. In this episode we learn about SLCC’s action plan and the ongoing work to communicate and engage with members about the campaign. Using personal anecdotes, we learn about the campaign's potential to effect positive behavioural change and achieve gender equality in local government and beyond.
00:00
17:25
05 November 2024
International Insights With The IIMC
In this episode, Michael King, SLCC’s Head of Policy and External Communications speaks to Lisa Garcia, Town Clerk of Florence, Arizona USA and IIMC President, Chris Shalby, IIMC Executive Director, Linda Larter, Clerk to Sevenoaks Town Council and IIMC Region XI Director, and Arnout van Kooij, Griffier (Clerk) to the municipality of IJsselstein in the Netherlands and IIMC Region XI Director who share insights into the world of clerking from an international perspective, describing the evolving roles, challenges, and gratification of the profession.
Lisa Garcia, IIMC President, also speaks on her journey towards presidency and goals to promote the clerk’s profession and ensure transparency in government.
The role of IIMC and its regional structure, specifically Region 11, is elaborated by Linda and Arnout as Region XI Directors who share their experiences of clerking and how the role differs and is portrayed internationally.
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13:38