Hello and welcome to The Northern Agenda podcast - back for 2023 fully refreshed after a Christmas break and ready to take in invigorating new year dive into some of the big politics stories affecting the North.

Whilst we want to wish you a Happy New Year, it is not looking terribly happy for Northern town hall leaders.

Northern Agenda editor Rob Parsons speaks to Barnsley council's Sir Stephen Houghton, one of the longest-serving local authority leaders in the country, about the bleak forecasts ahead for local government in our region.

With 12 years of austerity cuts knocking the stuffing out of many of our local councils, and inflation biting, things could be about to get worse.

Sir Stephen discusses the unfair funding system that means people in the North don't get the same public services as their southern counterparts.

But a bit of good news, though! It's set to be a massive year for anyone interested in the arts and creativity with the launch of Leeds 2023, a year of culture modelled on the European Capital of Culture.

The people behind it say in the next 12 months Leeds will burst into life, fuelled by creativity and the aim of opening more opportunities for more people.

Abigail Scott Paul, Director of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Leeds 2023, tells the podcast what you can expect from the huge programme of events in the Yorkshire city.

The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin.

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