Hello You 154: 'Focus on individual connection' - Alex Wagner in conversation

‘If you’re a mayor, put your hands in the air!’While national politics and politicians make the headlines, much of the day-to-day work of providing the services we need and making decisions about the local issues that affect us takes place at grassroots level.No-one’s more aware of that than Cllr Alex Wagner.Alex is the Liberal Democrat deputy leader of Shropshire Council. He’s also a Shrewsbury town councillor, and is currently the town’s mayor, with a decade-long track record in local politics.And - let’s get this out of the way - he’s only twenty-four years old. Thanks for reading Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins! This post is public so feel free to share it.‘Shrewsbury’s unique, it’s exceptional, I don’t know any other place I’d rather live’Alex Wagner and I had a sit-down in the Bird’s Nest Café in Shrewsbury’s multi-award-winning Market Hall to talk over some things I wanted to ask him, and questions suggested by Hello You listeners too. Topics covered include:* the pedestrianisation of Shrewsbury* the 8.99% increase in council tax* buses, including the experimental Night Bus* potholes (of course!)* housing and new developments; what’s needed and where they should go* the North West Relief Road* live music, grassroots venues, festivals and Loopfest* the parlous state of Shropshire Council’s finances, recently saved from going bust by a £190million government loan* beer and pubs* flags, FFS* schools* Shrewsbury Pride* the right to herd sheep, and other mayoral privileges* what makes a vibrant town centre* Greek Orthodox Church services* young people getting involved in politics* how people get in and out of Shrewsbury* scones‘I’ve chosen to make this the place I want to spend my life, because it’s a brilliant town’Join in the conversation about what Alex Wagner had to say, in the comments: Who else do you want to hear from on Hello You the Shropshire podcast? Maybe there are other decision-makers I could talk with, maybe you know someone with interesting thoughts or a fascinating story to tell. Maybe it’s you! Send me a message:Y’dig?If you enjoy informed, thoughtful, progressive and sometimes quirky conversation for and about Shropshire and the wider world, with space to breathe, time to think and people at its heart - well, where else are you going to find it? - you’re not alone. Hundreds of people are already part of the Hello You family. Pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable around the virtual kitchen table; you’re home.This is the moment you subscribe. Click here, and choose paid or free: Sharing = caringIf the aforementioned informed, thoughtful, progressive and sometimes quirky conversation for and about Shropshire and the wider world is your thing, you’re certain to know others who’d enjoy it too. Friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, wherever they are in the world, do them a solid and share Hello You the Shropshire podcast with them. Just click here: Thank you for being there, wherever you are, geographically, emotionally, politically or in a cosmic sensePlease take care of yourself.Take care of the people around you.And I hope the people around you are taking care of you, too. Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe