Local government finance is under unprecedented pressure, with councils facing Section 114 notices, Exceptional Financial Support, commissioners and statutory panels. This article explains the real differences between intervention routes, why councils reach crisis, and what credible recovery requires. From governance and assets to culture, leadership and operating models, it sets out how councils can rebuild stability and long‑term resilience.

Discover the 2026 Workforce Guide for Local Government HR Leaders: Nine Hard Questions and How to Answer Them with Data, Design and Delivery. This essential resource tackles recruitment, retention, pay strategy, legal compliance, wellbeing, AI ethics, equality, apprenticeships, IR35, and workforce analytics. Equip your council with actionable insights, metrics, and toolkits to navigate structural change and build a resilient, future-ready workforce.

Discover why horizon scanning is essential for UK local authorities. Learn what it is, explore methods like the Three Horizons Framework, PESTLE and SWOT analysis, and understand how councils can anticipate future trends, risks, and opportunities. Includes practical steps, common pitfalls, real-world examples, and a checklist to embed foresight into governance for proactive, future-ready leadership.

Discover why evaluation is critical in local government organisational design. Learn how councils can measure success, align changes with strategic goals, and avoid common pitfalls. Explore practical steps for embedding evaluation into transformation projects, ensuring value for money, better services, and continuous improvement. A must-read for leaders driving council-wide change.

Discover the RPNA 12P Assessment, a rapid, data-driven framework for building strong digital foundations in local government. Designed for Chief Executives and Transformation Directors, it evaluates 12 critical elements from strategy alignment to user experience, enabling smarter decisions, efficiency gains, and sustainable transformation. Contact Ashley Roper to learn how RPNA 12P can unlock value and reduce risk.

Testing organisational structures before sign-off is essential for councils. Skipping this step risks costly rework and confusion. Use multiple methods, design criteria checks, realistic scenarios, operational walk-throughs, and Goold & Campbell’s nine tests, to ensure alignment and flexibility. Testing saves time, money, and credibility by preventing structural failure and guarantees your design works in practice, not just theory.

Optimise local government culture with Barrett Values Centre tools. Truth About Local Government helps councils measure culture, identify leadership gaps, and embed values into recruitment and systems. Our 12-month programme builds engagement, retention, and performance, with annual diagnostics for sustainable change. Transform culture into a strategic advantage and deliver better outcomes for staff and residents.

Discover how AI is transforming UK local government services, from contact centre automation to predictive maintenance. Learn where AI delivers measurable impact, where investment makes sense, and the governance essentials councils need to avoid risk. Explore real case studies, £8bn savings potential, and a leadership checklist to ensure transparency, security, and resident trust in every AI decision.

Public service reform demands whole-system thinking, not siloed fixes. Local government, NHS, charities, and housing providers overlap, yet reforms often ignore these interdependencies. True transformation requires shared outcomes, integrated governance, data-driven collaboration, and cultural change while maintaining frontline delivery mid-flight. Are leaders ready to embrace complexity and design connected systems for better communities?

Discover why whole-systems thinking is essential for local government team design. Explore six practical questions that help councils break silos, build adaptive structures, and deliver joined-up outcomes. Learn from UK examples, integrated care partnerships, and prevention strategies that work. Are we using reorganisation and devolution to truly optimise collaboration across the public sector for better community outcomes?

Discover why up to 74% of UK local government transformation programmes fail and how councils can succeed. Explore key challenges like siloed structures, unclear outcomes, and technical debt, plus actionable strategies for smarter change. Learn from real-world examples such as Strata Service Solutions, which saved £7.6m through shared services. Make transformation continuous, data-driven, and people-focused.

Discover the pros and cons of internal vs external organisational design (OD) consultancy in UK local government. Explore how councils are navigating transformation, reorganisation, and devolution by blending internal OD teams with external expertise. Learn from case studies including Somerset, Luton, and Hillingdon, and understand when to use Big Four firms, SMEs, or in-house capability to drive sustainable change, build internal capacity, and deliver long-term value.

Explore the difference and synergy between organisational design and organisational development in UK local government. Learn why both are essential during transformation, with case studies from Hillingdon, Suffolk, and Essex councils. Discover how aligning structure with strategy and investing in people leads to resilient, responsive public services. Ideal for council leaders, HR professionals, and transformation teams navigating change.

Transformation is not a destination, it’s a discipline. Councils that embed operating principles, invest in people, and govern innovation ethically will not only sustain their vision, they’ll evolve it. Success demands leadership alignment, staff engagement, and a relentless focus on resident outcomes. In a world of rising demand and shrinking budgets, transformation must be continuous, inclusive, and courageous. The future of local government depends on it.

Incremental governance creep is a hidden risk in UK local government, where small compromises erode transparency, accountability, and public trust. In this episode of The Truth About Local Government, Matt Masters interviews Kirsty Hunt from South East Employers to explore warning signs, prevention strategies, and examples of councils like Brent, Essex, and Burnley that have strengthened governance through councillor development, external reviews, and cultural reform.

Discover what it takes to become a Director of Education in UK local government. This guide explores essential leadership skills, strategic priorities, and insights from current Directors on what they wish they knew from day one. Learn how to navigate SEND pressures, build strong partnerships, and avoid common pitfalls. Perfect for education leaders ready to shape policy, practice, and outcomes for children and young people.

Discover what it takes to become a Head of Democratic Services in UK local government. Learn essential skills, hear insights from current postholders, and avoid common pitfalls. This guide offers practical advice on governance, scrutiny, political acumen, and leadership perfect for aspiring professionals ready to lead local democracy with integrity and impact.

This blog guides aspiring Directors of Transformation in UK local government, outlining essential skills like strategic visioning, emotional intelligence, and governance. Drawing on real council case studies and survey insights, it highlights what current leaders wish they’d known on day one, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for success. It closes with practical advice and a reflection piece for those already in post, reinforcing transformation as a journey of impact

Becoming a Director of Policy in local government is a bold step into strategic leadership. This guide explores the essential skills you’ll need from political acuity to emotional intelligence and outlines what to prioritise in your first 100 days. With insights from senior officers and key statistics on sector challenges, it’s a practical roadmap for turning ambition into impact. Lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

The Director of HR in local government plays a vital role in shaping the future of public service. This is a leadership position that demands strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of workforce transformation. From using data to drive decisions to leading cultural change and championing inclusion, today’s HR leaders must be proactive, resilient, and people-focused. If you are ready to lead with purpose, this could be your next great chapter.