Leadership teams must ask critical questions to ensure alignment between strategy, culture, and structure. Are leaders scanning the environment effectively? Is the culture supporting strategic goals? Are systems reinforcing values? Feedback to the CEO should highlight strengths, weaknesses, and priority improvements, with actionable recommendations for transformational and quick-win changes that drive performance and engagement.

Effective organisational diagnosis in local government requires more than data collection, it demands connecting evidence with dialogue. Councils that integrate robust analytics, proven frameworks like McKinsey 7-S and Burke-Litwin, and inclusive engagement can drive transformation. In an era of tight budgets and rising demand, data-driven insights and collaborative approaches are essential for building resilient, innovative public services.

Culture in local government isn’t a “soft” issue, it’s a performance driver that shapes decisions, behaviours, and outcomes. The Organisational Culture Inventory (OCI) provides evidence-based insights into the norms that influence success. By moving beyond measurement to action engaging leaders, aligning culture with strategy, and investing in coaching, councils can create environments where staff thrive, innovation flourishes, and strategic goals become reality.

Edgar Schein’s Three Levels of Organisational Culture: artefacts, espoused values, and underlying assumptions reveal how culture truly shapes behaviour and performance. Artefacts are visible but superficial, espoused values show intent yet may not match reality, and assumptions form the hidden core. Successful cultural change starts by diagnosing and challenging these deep beliefs, not just redesigning offices or rewriting mission statements.

Discover how Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions can transform UK local government leadership. Explore Power Distance, Individualism, and other cultural factors shaping council mergers, partnerships, and service delivery. Learn why diagnosing culture before designing change is critical, and gain practical insights for embedding cultural awareness into transformation programmes. Avoid conflict, make culture your strategic advantage.

The Competing Values Framework (CVF) by Cameron and Quinn is a leading model for assessing organisational culture, widely used across public and private sectors. Supported by the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), CVF helps local authorities identify cultural strengths and gaps, enabling better change management and strategic alignment. By balancing Clan, Adhocracy, Market, and Hierarchy values, councils can foster innovation, accountability, and resilience

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.

Ready to step into your first Head of Property role in local government? Discover 10 essential lessons from our 90-minute roundtable with sector leaders. Learn how to build a strategic narrative, master stakeholder engagement, navigate political dynamics, embed sustainability, and develop commercial acumen. Packed with expert quotes, actionable insights, and data, this guide will help you secure the role and thrive from day one.

Local government in England faces its biggest transformation in 50 years. By 2028, district and county councils will be replaced by consolidated structures, impacting £100bn budgets and 1.3m employees. Culture, not just structure, will determine success. Research shows 70% of change initiatives fail due to cultural resistance. Strong, values-driven cultures boost engagement, performance, and resilience, making culture the ultimate catalyst for sustainable change.

Hull is transforming into a city of opportunity with bold plans for infrastructure renewal, cultural investment, and inclusive growth. Discover how Councillor Mike Ross is driving change through a £40M infrastructure plan, a thriving cultural economy, and a push for devolution. From National Geographic’s Top 25 Places to Visit in 2026 to its role in green energy, Hull is redefining its future resilient, ambitious, and ready for investment.

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.

Councils spent £420m on senior interim roles in 2022–23, with costs projected to rise to £483m by 2026 due to inflation and reorganisation. Typical daily rates range from £600–£850 for Heads of Service, £750–£900 for Assistant Directors, £900–£1,200 for Executive Directors, and up to £1,500 for Chief Executives. Agency margins average 23%, adding significant cost. Nationally, margins could reach £111m annually, with recruiters earning £11m–£22m in commission.

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.

Discover how to truly integrate public health in local government with NHS systems. This blog explores the barriers structural, cultural, and policy-driven and highlights successful case studies like St Helens Cares and Cheshire & Merseyside ICS. Learn how neighbourhood health models, stronger ICSs, strategic commissioning, and national-local partnerships can transform care, reduce inequalities, and rebuild public trust.

Alison Golding’s research into West Northamptonshire Council’s post-merger culture offers vital lessons for local government transformation. Her findings highlight the importance of leadership visibility, unified values, and employee voice in shaping resilient councils. Using frameworks like the Denison Model and Cultural Web, she outlines practical steps to build inclusive, high-performing organisations. Culture isn’t a side issue, it’s the strategy.

Discover the true financial scale of England’s care and support services. This blog explores the rising costs of adult social care (£34.5bn), children’s social services, SEND provision (£10.5bn+), and temporary accommodation (£2.8bn). With over £50bn spent annually, we unpack what’s driving these pressures, the implications for local government, and why urgent reform is needed to protect vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable public service delivery.

Discover how local authorities can unlock the hidden value of adult social care data to drive efficiencies, improve outcomes, and reduce costs. This blog explores insights from the Social Care Value Index project, highlighting the need for better data integration, shared goals, and cross-functional collaboration between Directors of Adult Social Services and Section 151 Officers. Learn how data can transform decision-making and support evidence-led reform in adult social care

Cambridge is at a crossroads. As the UK government eyes it for national growth, the city faces urgent challenges: water scarcity, housing affordability, and inequality. Discover how Cambridge City Council is tackling infrastructure pressures, regenerating communities, and building trust through inclusive engagement. Explore the bold vision for a fairer, greener, and more sustainable global city and why getting it right in Cambridge matters for the whole country.

Local Authority Trading Company Organisations (LATCOs) offer councils a way to innovate, deliver services, and generate income. With over 850 LATCOs in the UK, success depends on strategic clarity, commercial leadership, and robust governance. This blog explores why some LATCOs thrive while others fail, drawing lessons from case studies like Norse Group and Robin Hood Energy. Learn what works, what to avoid, and how councils can ensure LATCOs deliver public value.