Audience: Combined Authorities
How can councils help shape the energy infrastructure needed to support housing, regeneration and local growth?
Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESP), led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), introduce a new regional layer of energy planning across England, Scotland and Wales. They will help shape where and when energy infrastructure investment takes place, with significant implications for local growth and decarbonisation ambitions.
With NESO inviting participation in RESP Strategic Boards and Working Groups, this guide helps local and combined authorities consider what they need to put in place to take an effective role in regional energy planning.
Drawing on interviews with local authorities, it sets out practical approaches to:
- establishing clear governance, responsibilities and decision-making
- coordinating priorities and representation across a region
- using local evidence to influence infrastructure planning
- building capacity and sharing expertise
- aligning energy investment with local growth and decarbonisation priorities.
An accompanying executive summary provides a concise overview for senior leaders and elected members, explaining why RESP matters, the risks of limited engagement and the organisational arrangements needed to respond effectively.
The guide was funded by West Midlands Combined Authority and draws on learning from the Planning Regional Infrastructure in a Digital Environment (PRIDE) project.
With recent heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts highlighting the growing impacts of climate change, it’s more important than ever for councils to understand and prepare for climate risks. Explore our two newly updated climate adaptation resources, both revised and refreshed to reflect the CCC’s Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk (CCRA4-IA).
The UK Government has committed to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, and 70% of local authorities in the UK have declared a climate emergency. Net zero cannot be achieved without adaptation.
Adaptation (in climate change context) is otherwise known as resilience or preparedness. Resilience is the ambition, adaptation is the method.
We need to adapt to the challenges that arise from the significant climate impacts we are facing in the UK, and take advantage of the opportunities.
Risk and Opportunities Matrix
Following user feedback we have updated the previously named risk register generator.
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 Wales to deliver practical solutions and lasting impact.
As a publicly owned, in-house delivery partner, our role has never been more important. From supporting climate resilience and improving energy efficiency to enabling local government transformation, unlocking infrastructure opportunities and improving outcomes for communities, our teams have helped organisations tackle complex challenges with confidence.
Replay – NISTA and Local Partnerships host a practical free webinar ‘Decarbonising PFI projects: Tools and templates for councils’ introducing new tools to help public bodies decarbonise operational PFI projects.
The EXPLORE Framework is a set of practical resources designed to help local and combined authorities take a more integrated, place-based approach to strategic planning.
It supports organisations facing complex local challenges by bringing together data, insights and collaborative tools to enable clearer decision-making across departments and partners. The framework focuses on health, wellbeing, nature and sustainability, helping bridge the gap between technical data and real-world policy solutions.
The toolkit includes an Outcome Measures Dashboard to track progress, Factor Maps to highlight the key influences on local outcomes, and Horizon Scanning tools to help organisations plan for future change.
Together with a facilitation package, Explore provides a structured yet flexible way for teams to develop strategies that deliver better outcomes for people, places and the environment.
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.
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