Governance First, Structure Second! Local government reorganisation is inevitable as SEND, adult social care, and housing costs strain budgets. But success depends on governance, not just structural charts. Strong frameworks create clarity, collaboration, and confidence. As Rowan says, “There is no price you can put on democracy.” Investing in governance design and using AI for modelling and risk analysis, may be the most cost-effective way to protect public trust.

Discover why governance, not structural reorganisation, will define the future of local government. Explore how strategic powers, devolution deals, and funding leverage in areas like Greater Manchester and the West Midlands unlock billions for housing, transport, and growth. Learn why democratic legitimacy, clear accountability, and integrated systems matter more than maps and mergers in shaping the next decade.

Essex councils back a five-unitary plan, arguing it’s key to fixing adult social care. The proposal, Creating a Local Future for Greater Essex, suggests councils serving 326k–510k residents, large enough for specialist services yet local enough for responsive care. Leaders say this structure enables prevention, integration of housing and health, and savings of up to £104m, reinvested into early help and community support, making social care more sustainable and humane.

Leading a Successful Restructure: What Matters Most Precision planning builds confidence, start with a clear business case and timeline. Define roles early, engage trade unions upfront, and consult openly to improve outcomes. Communicate constantly; silence fuels speculation. Show visible, empathetic leadership and provide employee support like redundancy tools and mental health resources. Above all, be transparent about role impacts to maintain trust and fix issues early.

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.

Jonathan Stephenson, Chief Executive of Brentwood and Rochford Councils, shares key lessons on transformation in local government. From values-led leadership and strategic digital reform to evidence-based reorganisation and sector-wide collaboration, his approach offers a blueprint for change. As councils face rising agency costs and structural reform, Stephenson reminds us: transformation is cultural, not just structural. “We’re not just building councils. We’re building com

Surrey is the first domino in England’s local government reorganisation strategy. The UK Government has confirmed the abolition of Surrey’s two-tier system by April 2027, replacing it with two new unitary councils and a directly elected mayor. This move signals a national shift toward fewer, larger councils. The reorganisation aims to streamline services, resolve financial issues like Woking’s debt, and accelerate housing and infrastructure delivery across the county.

Local government reorganisation isn’t the wrong idea it’s happening in the wrong order. Councils face financial collapse due to four broken systems: children’s social care, SEND, temporary accommodation, and adult social care. This blog argues that structural reform must follow service reform, not precede it. Fix the leaks before reshaping the bath. Discover why sustainability depends on repairing what’s draining local government dry.

Local Government Reorganisation shares many traits with corporate mergers and acquisitions. With 70–75% of M&A failing, councils must learn from private sector missteps prioritising cultural alignment, integration planning, financial control, legal clarity, and community engagement. Rebranding with purpose and treating technology as a strategic enabler are key to success. LGR is not just structural it’s transformational.

Local government reorganisation is complex, but it’s also a chance to build smarter, more unified digital foundations. Success starts with a clear baseline: understanding your systems, risks, and opportunities. At RPNA, we offer a rapid, evidence-based approach to help councils define their “North Star” and build a practical roadmap for transformation. Thank you to Ashley Roper for his contribution on this important topic.

West Northamptonshire’s LGR journey is not just a story of structural change it’s a story of cultural alignment, operational resilience, and strategic clarity. What emerged from the OPUS People Solutions event was a powerful narrative of how a newly formed council can move from fragmentation to cohesion, and from uncertainty to confidence.

The Government’s ambitious programme of local government reorganisation (LGR)  is reshaping the structure of councils across England. At...

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In a time of significant transformation for local government in the UK, Collaborate CIC is leading the charge towards more inclusive,...