A Concilio podcast featuring political analysis and its impact on the planning and property sector from across London and the UK.
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May 22, 2026Episode 3725 min
S4 Ep37: City Plan, Planning Reform & Culture in the Square Mile | Tom Sleigh, Chair of Planning, City of London
In this episode recorded live at UKREiiF, Simon Gartshore, Deputy Managing Director at Kanda Consulting, sits down with Tom Sleigh, recently reelected as Chair of the City of London Corporation's Planning and Transportation Committee.Tom reflects on his first year — including a record breaking number of applications — and shares his views on the pace of national planning reform, the near-final stages of the City Plan, and the challenge of balancing growth with heritage in the Square Mile.The conversation also covers stalled development sites, the role of culture in Destination City, the arrival of AI in planning practice, and what a reduced planning committee will mean for decision-making in one of the world's most important business districts.
May 14, 2026Episode 3621 min
S4 Ep36: Discussing election outcomes with the Cambridge Independent's political correspondent.
In the latest episode of the Concilio x Kanda Better Places Podcast, Nick Dines is joined by Phil Rodgers to unpack the results across Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, alongside what Local Government Reorganisation could mean for the region. The conversation covers:
Labour losing overall control of Cambridge City Council
The Green Party’s breakthrough gains in Cambridge
The Liberal Democrats’ near-clean sweep in South Cambridgeshire
Huntingdonshire’s next rainbow coalition
The future structure of local government across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
An essential listen for anyone involved in planning, development, infrastructure and public affairs across the Ox-Cam corridor.
February 27, 2026Episode 3532 min
S4 Ep35: Visitor Levy, BIDs and Place Funding: Dr Julie Grail on What Happens Next
In the latest episode of the Better Places Podcast, Concilio’s Yiannis Sophocleous is joined by Dr Julie Grail, founder of The BIDs Business and one of the UK’s leading voices on Business Improvement Districts, to discuss the proposed overnight visitor levy and what it could mean for cities across England. With the consultation now closed, the debate has sharpened. The conversation explores the bigger themes behind the policy, including:
Whether the levy can operate as a genuine growth tool
The importance of governance, transparency and ringfencing
The impact on competitiveness and the visitor economy
Lessons from international examples
The role of BIDs in shaping and delivering place-based funding
Looking beyond the levy itself, the discussion also reflects on the future of BIDs, the challenges facing town and city centres, and how partnership models must evolve in a changing political and economic climate. This is a timely and thoughtful conversation for anyone interested in place management, hospitality, planning and local government.
February 3, 2026Episode 3422 min
S4 Ep34: Jessica Tarlov on Mamdani and the Politics of Affordability
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Concilio’s Nick Dines and Sehj Kaur sit down with Jessica Tarlov, one of the most influential Democratic voices in the United States, for a conversation on the changing shape of left-wing politics. The discussion centres on the rise of Zohran Mamdani, whose victory in New York has captured attention far beyond the US. From campaign energy and digital strategy to in-person organising and message discipline, Jessica explains why Mamdani broke through and why his relentless focus on affordability cut across traditional political divides. Drawing on her experience as a New Yorker and political insider, Jessica explores how issues such as housing costs and student debt are reshaping electoral coalitions. The conversation also looks at what UK politicians, particularly in cities like London, may be able to learn from this moment, and where direct comparisons fall short. The episode explores why voters are turning away from the status quo and focusing more on everyday economic issues.
December 2, 2025Episode 3343 min
S4 Ep33: How Co-living Tackles the Housing Crisis and Urban Loneliness
Mark Thomson, Planning Director at Savills, and Rosie Ashton, Design Manager at Verv-life, join Concilio’s Siddo and Rochelle to discuss how co-living tackles the housing crisis and urban loneliness.In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer and Account Executive Rochelle Blakeman, sit down with Mark Thomson, Planning Director at Savills, and Rosie Ashton, Design Manager at Verv-life, to discuss the rise of co-living, what it is, who it’s for, and whether it can help tackle two of London’s biggest challenges: the housing crisis and urban loneliness.Key points discussed:· Co-living offers a professionally managed, community-focused alternative to HMOs, with private studios, all-inclusive bills, and flexible tenures. · Thoughtful design and curated events help tackle urban loneliness, creating welcoming social spaces that genuinely encourage connection. · New regulations have driven better-zoned, higher-quality studio layouts, while clustered amenities and strong local partnerships enhance resident experience. · Co-living provides cost certainty and potential for discounted-market options for key workers, challenging misconceptions about quality and affordability. · With clearer, more flexible policy, co-living could play a bigger role in London’s housing mix and help ease pressure on traditional rental supply.For anyone interested in housing innovation, rental market reform, community-led placemaking, or how London can diversify supply in the face of mounting pressures, this episode offers insight into the new opportunities shaping the next generation of urban living. Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
November 24, 2025Episode 3230 min
S4 Ep32: In conversation with Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council and Deputy Chair of London Councils
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Siddo Dwyer sits down with Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council and Deputy Chair of London Councils, holding the Housing and Regeneration brief.From her early career as a secondary school teacher in East London to leading one of the capital’s most dynamic regeneration stories, Cllr Williams brings a rare blend of people-first instincts and ambitious, forward-looking leadership. Since taking the helm in 2021, she’s been driving an ambitious agenda: delivering high-quality homes, nurturing culture as a catalyst for growth, creative place-making strategies and shaping neighbourhoods that stay true to their identity even as they evolve.The discussion dives into the borough’s bold decisions on developments in Blackhorse Lane and Walthamstow, the transformation of the Town Hall Quarter, Soho Theatre Walthamstow’s cultural pull, and how the Local Plan is guiding future growth. Cllr Williams also reflects on the realities behind the government reducing the affordable housing threshold from 35% to 20% and her continued commitment to delivering genuinely affordable homes, and how trust, design excellence, and community dialogue underpin every major decision.This episode offers a grounded, optimistic look at how political leadership, strong design principles, and a culture-led approach can shape better places - and what Waltham Forest’s journey tells us about the future of regeneration in London.Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
November 17, 2025Episode 3125 min
S4 Ep31: Prof Tony Travers previews the upcoming London local elections
In the latest episode of the Better Places Podcast, Concilio’s Sam Griffiths is joined by Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, to discuss the upcoming local elections in London in May 2026.Tony is the leading academic expert on London’s government and politics, and this fascinating discussion explores the forces changing London politically and how they are making the elections next year increasingly hard to predict.The topics Tony and Sam cover include:- How is the rise of so-called ‘Pro-Gaza independent’ groups in parts of East London going to challenge Labour’s traditional dominance in these areas, and what ideology drives these new campaigners?- How will the new Green party leader Zack Polanski, and his energetic brand of ‘eco-populism’, impact the race and tempt younger votes away from Labour?- Are the Liberal Democrats poised to make gains, not just in their traditional strongholds in South-West London but also in the centre of the city? - Can the Conservatives stage a fightback and take back control of their former ‘flagship’ councils like Westminster and Wandsworth?- What will the Reform UK factor be? How will Farage’s upstart party disrupt the contest and what councils could they win?- And finally, what does this upheaval mean for planning and development in the capital?This is an indispensable briefing on the current state of the race to control London’s councils next year, and if you want to understand how planning and development could change in the capital as a result.Concilio will shortly be launching the first in a series of London local election reports – giving you data-led analysis of the key council races, the latest news on campaigns and candidates, and our analysis of what it could mean for the property sector. To sign up to receive the first report when it is released, please click here or email londonelections@conciliocomms.com.
October 24, 2025Episode 3034 min
S4 Ep30: Simon Ricketts and Nick Dines discuss the Government and GLA 'Homes for London' proposals
The UK’s #1 ranked panning lawyer, Simon Ricketts, joins the podcast to discuss the Government’s package of support for housebuilding in London.In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places Podcast we were joined by the UK’s #1 ranked Planning Lawyer, Simon Ricketts, to discuss the Government and Sadiq Khan’s announcement of 23rd October on a series of measures that can support housebuilding in London.The housing crisis in London is real, with Molior reporting that private construction starts totalled just 3,248 homes in the first three quarters of 2025 and likely 5,000 for the year. One in six construction projects have halted whilst there were only 5,933 new home sales over Q1 to Q3.Alongside this, Build-to-Rent starts are drying up, with Molior predicting that BTR completions are set to disappear after 2027.The human impact of this is stark. More than 130,000 households are living in temporary accommodation in London and the cost of this has led to a £740m black hole for local authorities.Concilio’s MD Nick Dines and Simon look at the Government’s proposed reforms:
Time-limited planning route that enables developers to secure planning permission for schemes on private land that provides at least 20% affordable without requiring an upfront viability assessment. This will qualify for Fast Track and be eligible for grant.
Temporary relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy, covering 50% of the borough CIL charge for schemes delivering at least 20% affordable.
Adjusting London Plan design guidance on dual aspect requirements, dwellings per core and cycle storage provision.
Enhanced Mayoral planning powers, giving the Mayor the authority over 50 unit schemes, the ability to call in 1,000 sqm Green Belt and MOL and allow written rep call ins.
An initial £322m allocation to establish a City Hall Developer Investment Fund
Simon explains his understanding on the timings involved and looks at four different scenarios for developers:
Existing planning permission that is unimplemented or is a phased consent
Application approved by Committee yet does not have the Section 106 signed
An application that has been submitted but has not been determined
An application not yet submitted
The podcast is a fascinating, must-listen episode if you want to understand how significant the changes coming to planning in London are.
October 9, 2025Episode 2944 min
S4 Ep29: Concilio x JL Partners: How Reform Can Win a Majority in 2029
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places Podcast, we sat down with James Johnson, Founding Partner of JL Partners, to explore how Reform can win a majority in 2029. James previously served as the Senior Opinion Research and Strategy Advisor to Prime Minister Theresa May. JL Partners are one of the UK's most accurate pollsters (and one of the very few to project a win for Donald Trump in the 2024 US election).James delves into the explosive rise of Reform UK, sharing Friderichs Advisory Partners and JL Partners latest in-depth polling and ground-level voter analysis data that reveals why Reform is the current polling frontrunner. Our discussion explores the real reasons for Reform’s success and the unprecendented drop in support behind the Labour government and the Conservative Party. We explore:
The Winter Fuel Allowance Effect: Why a year-old policy U-turn is still the most-mentioned reason for Labour's decline.
The Reform Voter Profile: The key motivations of the "Pessimistic Patriots," and why their concerns are pragmatic issues like public services and housing—not the fringe right agendas that dominate online discourse.
The Path to Power: The strategic roadmap showing how Reform's current appeal is perfectly aligned with the First Past the Post system to deliver a massive seat dividend and a potential majority.
The Competence Trap: Why, in 2025, voters prioritize a party that shares their values and promises to get things done over one that simply projects a traditional image of competence.
This episode is an essential listen for anyone seeking a unfashionable take on the seismic shifts shaping British politics and the true forces driving Reform UK's ascent up the polls and potentially, into power.And stay tuned! Next week, we will release the second edition of our Inside Reform report series, exploring Reform’s expanding footprint in local government. The report will highlight early moves by councils under their control, as well as controversial policy calls from mayoral leaders, and shine a light on the party's gains across the country in the past month's by-elections. Join our mailing list now to receive our next report direct to your inbox.
October 2, 2025Episode 2853 min
S4 Ep28: Making London Fun Again
In Our Public Spaces, High Streets & the Experience EconomyAt this year’s Labour Party Conference, one of the key themes was the urgent need to build more homes and restore confidence in the market. But as our panel discussed, London’s future isn’t just about housing numbers - it’s also about placemaking, culture, and the experience economy.Hosted by Concilio’s Yiannis Sophocleous and Siddo Dwyer, we asked: How do we Make London Fun Again?Our brilliant panel:
Cllr Geoff Barraclough - Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, Westminster City Council
Cllr Portia Mwangangye - Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks & Young People, Southwark Council
Antonia Stratford - Head of Public Affairs, Heart of London Business Alliance
Graeme Craig - Chief Executive, Places for London
Key takeaways:
London’s diversity is its greatest strength - celebrate and protect it.
Housing and community building are investments in London’s and the UK’s future.
Young people and diverse communities must be central to consultations and policy.
The West End’s experience economy is pivotal to London’s global standing - business, culture, and government need to work hand-in-hand to keep it competitive.
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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