Combined authorities
Supporting combined authorities to turn devolution, investment and local growth ambitions into practical delivery.
Combined authorities are playing an increasingly important role in delivering regional growth, infrastructure, housing and public service reform. Devolution brings new powers and opportunities, but also greater complexity around governance, accountability, investment decisions and delivery across multiple local authority areas.
They need to turn strategies such as Local Growth Plans, Spatial Development Strategies and infrastructure plans into deliverable programmes that can withstand scrutiny, attract investment and create visible benefits for communities.
Our impact
Local Partnerships helps combined authorities move from ambition to delivery. We support regional partners to strengthen governance, build investable pipelines, improve assurance and prepare for emerging delivery models across areas such as infrastructure, energy, regeneration, housing and devolution.
Combined authorities are central to delivering place-based growth and connecting national policy with local priorities. Strong governance, clear delivery plans and robust investment decisions help reduce risk, build confidence and support better outcomes across regions.
Working in a combined authority?
Whether you are developing a Local Growth Plan, building an investable pipeline, strengthening governance, preparing for devolution or planning major infrastructure, Local Partnerships can help. Use the form at the bottom of this page to tell us what support you need, and our team will get back to you.
Devolution readiness and institutional strength
Helping combined authorities build the governance, capability and confidence needed to turn devolved powers into delivery.
Local Growth Plans and place-based strategy
Supporting places to connect strategy, evidence, investment and delivery across local authority boundaries
Spatial Development Strategies and strategic planning
Helping combined authorities take an integrated, place-based approach to planning using tools such as the EXPLORE Framework
Infrastructure planning and investment pipelines
Helping combined authorities prioritise, develop and assure infrastructure programmes that support growth, housing and connectivity
Energy planning and regional energy governance
Supporting regional partners to prepare for new energy planning arrangements, including work linked to Regional Energy Strategic Planning and Project PRIDE with West Midlands Combined Authority.
Climate action with sustainability
Helping combined authorities and councils work with government on practical climate action, including decarbonising housing, reforming energy systems, expanding renewable power, restoring nature and unlocking private investment.
Housing and regeneration delivery
Supporting delivery models, viability, business cases, community-powered development and regeneration approaches.
Programme management, assurance and delivery capability
Helping set up the programme spine, governance and delivery discipline needed to manage complex regional programmes.
Data, evidence and decision-making
Helping combined authorities build shared evidence bases, understand interdependencies and make more confident decisions
Partnership working across government
Helping connect combined authorities with local councils, central government departments, regulators and delivery partners so plans are realistic and deliverable.
Everything in its right place: establishing strong organisations and practices for successful devolution
Devolution will not succeed on legislation and structure alone. It will succeed, or fail, on whether institutions are ready. “Everything in its right place: establishing strong organisations and practices for successful devolution” is a new research project, undertaken by Localis and Local Partnerships, aiming to understand how combined authorities have evolved and should continue evolving in the future. The report highlights that greater autonomy will […]
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New faces locally, same challenges nationally
When councils change hands, what happens to national delivery? Adele Gritten, chief executive of Local Partnerships, looks at how local election results can reset priorities and create both risks and opportunities for government As newly elected members take their seats across England, there is a sense of energy and opportunity in local government. New ideas […]
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DPP decisions announced: Preparing for the next phase of Local Government Reorganisation
The announcement of the Secretary of State’s decisions in four of the six Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) areas marks a turning point for some authorities, and continued uncertainty for others. Whether you now have a defined direction or are still awaiting a decision, the focus should be on what comes next and how to move […]
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Local Government Reorganisation: Data strategy and support for councils
As local authorities navigate the complex landscape of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the role of data has never been more critical. Putting data first during LGR reduces risk and enables better service design. Clear governance and retention decisions protect residents’ information, while better insight helps leaders allocate resources where they make the greatest difference. Have […]
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New partnership offers fresh support on devolution and local government reorganisation challenges
Councils will get new support to manage the challenges of devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) through new partnership research by Local Partnerships and the LGIU (Local Government Information Unit). The new strategic partnership will launch with an inaugural research project launched in November, exploring how current working relationships between local and combined authorities could […]
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We’ve Launched – Impact Report 2025/26
Our Impact Report 2025-26 is here We’re proud to share our Impact Report 2025-26 – showcasing another year of delivering meaningful outcomes for the public sector and the communities it serves. As organisations navigate increasing financial pressures, Local Government Reorganisation, and growing demands on services, the report highlights how we’ve worked alongside our partners across England and […]
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LGA Sustainability Roundtable Measuring Greenhouse Gas Emissions
29 September 2026 10:00 am – 11:30 am Online
Introduction to RE:FIT 5 Framework
29 September 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Online
LP & ACES Series: Transformation Series – Collaborating to deliver more – Part 1
6 October 2026 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Solace Summit 2026
20 October 2026 – 22 October 2026 All-day Liverpool Experience Campus, L3 4FP
This on-demand webinar explores how to establish and deliver an effective LGR PMO.
Covering stakeholder buy-in, flexible resourcing, practical delivery considerations, and planning beyond day one, the session also introduces our new LGR PMO toolkit and supporting resources.
Discover the LGR Toolkit designed to support councils through reorganisation.
This collaborative session with the LGA provided a walkthrough of key tools and how to apply them in your context.
This session built on Session 2, once councils had time to use the templates. We looked at data gathering from a PMO perspective, discussed common challenges that had emerged across councils and explored ways of building a shared data picture before decisions were announced.
Speakers
Joran Mendel, Senior Director, Local Partnerships
Lily Von Geyer, Data Analyst, Local Partnerships
Local Government Transformation webinar replays
Our transformation work supports local government as they consider how to make their services fit for the future. There are huge opportunities for the sector to make the most of new technologies, but customer expectations of services are high, and demand is increasing. The changing context of local government means that transformation is the new normal. We can support you to deliver effective change.
Welsh Government’s Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP)
Watch the replay of our insightful webinar on the Welsh Government’s Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) Programme. Discover how this whole-systems approach is helping Wales achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with highlights including a Newport case study showcasing the benefits of local decarbonisation. Gain valuable takeaways on stakeholder engagement and collaboration with distribution network operators for effective implementation. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to use our ‘Can we help?’ forms or contact any of the experts listed.
LGR PMO Pathways Toolkit
Everything in its right place – a devolution report sponsored by Local Partnerships
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