Meet the Leader with Heather Kidd

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by Councillor Heather Kidd MBE, Leader of Shropshire Council.

During the conversation, Cllr Kidd reflects on how her rural upbringing in Sussex, her career as a teacher and her involvement in village life led her into local government. She talks about first being elected in 1996, becoming Leader of South Shropshire District Council, and the passion for rural communities that has shaped her political career and earned her an MBE.

The episode explores the particular challenges facing rural areas, from poor mobile and broadband connectivity to limited public transport, housing pressures and the difficulty of delivering essential services across a large and sparsely populated county. Cllr Kidd also explains why maintaining strong, sustainable villages means providing affordable homes for local people and supporting the schools, shops, pubs and community networks that enable rural life to thrive.

Nick and Heather also discuss Shropshire’s experience of local government reorganisation, including the loss of organisational knowledge, the difficulties of integrating systems and services, and the long-term financial consequences of decisions made during the creation of the unitary authority. Drawing on years spent in opposition, she shares her determination to build a more open, inclusive and accountable council that values scrutiny and works in genuine partnership with communities.

The conversation also looks at the practical changes now being made at Shropshire Council, from improving customer services and rebuilding relationships with towns and parishes to strengthening procurement, reviewing major contracts and transforming the way the council maintains its 3,200 miles of roads.

It is a thoughtful and candid conversation about rural leadership, financial responsibility and the importance of listening to communities while delivering visible, lasting change.

Hosted by Cratus Group‘s Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.