LGR
Local Government Reorganisation – Helping councils navigate LGR with confidence
Support to help councils prepare for local government reorganisation, manage complexity and move from planning to delivery with confidence.
Local Government Reorganisation demands hundreds of decisions that will shape the future of new authorities. Councils are already stretched, and reorganisation adds new levels of pressure, risk and scrutiny. Local Partnerships can help you deliver a well-informed transition.
Local Partnerships acts as both strategic adviser and delivery partner, often working as embedded support within local authorities. We work alongside local programme teams, government departments and key stakeholders, providing insight, capacity, assurance and critical friend support throughout the LGR process.
We support councils at every stage of the journey: from pre-decision data collection and planning, through PMO set-up, governance, contracts, commercial arrangements, assets and service design, to shadow authority planning, benefits realisation and post-vesting transformation.
Strategic planning
We help councils define their approach to reorganisation, understand priorities and plan the route from proposal to implementation.
Future operating models
We support councils to think through future structures, service models and delivery arrangements for new or changing authorities.
Evidence and baselining
We help councils build shared evidence bases, understand service implications and create a clearer picture of their starting position.
Options appraisal
We support councils to assess options, test assumptions and make informed decisions about future delivery.
Due diligence
We help councils understand financial, legal, contractual, operational and service risks before decisions are made.
Governance and decision-making
We support clear governance arrangements, roles and responsibilities so decisions can be made with confidence during transition.
Sustaining business as usual
We help councils manage the risks of reorganisation while continuing to deliver essential services for residents.
Tools, guidance and learning
We develop practical resources, webinars and templates to help councils across the country navigate LGR more effectively.
Prioritisation Matrix and Transformation Plan for Cumberland Council
Case Study 2 – Supporting the development of a shared vision for transformation Local Partnerships have supported a variety of councils, and transformation projects through the LGA’s Sector Support Improvement programme funded by the UK Government. These case studies explore the key activities and learnings from these projects and highlight both best practice and common […]
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Dorset Councils creates customer transformation plan with Local Partnerships
Dorset Customer Transformation Dorset, a beautiful county located on the south coast of England, is home to approximately 350,000 residents and around 170,000 households. Dorset Council was created by bringing together six councils as one. This gave the new council a great opportunity to “embed digital at the heart of the new organisation and do […]
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Vision for transformation for Suffolk County Council
Case Study 1 – Supporting the development of a shared vision for transformation Local Partnerships have supported a variety of councils, and transformation projects through the LGA’s Sector Support Improvement programme funded by the UK Government. These case studies explore the key activities and learnings from these projects and highlight both best practice and common […]
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Hands-on Transformation for Luton Borough Council
Case Study 5 – Supporting the development of a shared vision for transformation Local Partnerships have supported a variety of councils, and transformation projects through the LGA’s Sector Support Improvement programme funded by the UK Government. These case studies explore the key activities and learnings from these projects and highlight both best practice and common […]
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Insourcing of Publica for Councils
Case Study 4 – Supporting the development of a shared vision for transformation Local Partnerships have supported a variety of councils, and transformation projects through the LGA’s Sector Support Improvement programme funded by the UK Government. These case studies explore the key activities and learnings from these projects and highlight both best practice and common […]
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Collaboration on LGR? Stranger things have happened…
On 26 November, the new series of Stranger Things dropped on Netflix, and by 28 November, 185 councils across England entered their own upside down, where they must continue to operate and serve their residents while their future is in the hands of Ministers. The current programme of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) set out in […]
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New LGR research to help the sector turn reform into results
As local authorities grapple with implementing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the challenge is no longer about whether reform is necessary, but how to make it work in practice. At Local Partnerships, we believe devolution and LGR should be viewed not as a disruption to be managed, but as an opportunity to strengthen local power. That’s […]
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Unlocking Trends in Local Authority Productivity: AI Powered Analysis for the LGA
The Local Government Association (LGA) engaged Local Partnerships to analyse 317 productivity plans and create an AI powered chatbot to make insights from the data more accessible. Local Partnerships’ Data & Analytics team orchestrated a full-spectrum analytical solution to meet the LGA’s requirements. We expertly pre-processed all 317 plans, ensuring data quality, consistency, and readiness […]
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LGR: Culture eats strategy for breakfast
Organisational culture is crucial to the success of LGR – local government reorganisation. The phrase ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’, attributed to management guru Peter Drucker, stresses the importance of organisational culture in achieving strategic goals. As England embarks on significant local government reform, this adage is particularly relevant. The reform aims to streamline local […]
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Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): A wake-up call for civil servants
England is entering its most ambitious phase of local government reorganisation (LGR) and devolution in decades. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced in July 2025, sets out a bold vision for streamlined, empowered local governance. But without clear delineation of roles and responsibilities – and without central departments actively enabling clarity – we […]
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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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Navigating LGR and waste services: Waste today, Place tomorrow
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is reshaping local government, and a critical facet of this is waste services. Few services are as visible to residents or politically sensitive; missed bins make headlines. New unitary authorities will be taking on both collection and disposal responsibilities, and getting this right will be one of the first tests of […]
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Webinar series: Get LGR data-ready
In partnership with the LGA, this series of webinars on data will help councils navigate Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) with practical insights, proven tools and peer-to-peer learning. Each webinar offers actionable insights and interactive activities to help you navigate change effectively. Sign up to as many sessions as you like below.
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Making a success of LGR: three foundations for the road ahead
For almost every area, the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) decisions are now in. As always, when big changes are made by the UK Government, some people will have met the announcement with delight, while others will be bitterly disappointed. Whether you were dancing in your office chair or had your head in your hands, the […]
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Local government reorganisation represents a significant change for workforces, stakeholders and residents. For senior leaders in authorities going through LGR, it is important to reflect on leadership practice and consider how best to lead through change.
In this webinar, we heard from Rushcliffe Borough Council, who worked with Local Partnerships to reflect on their change leadership as part of preparing for LGR.
This LGR webinar explored key lessons from Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey. Pedro Wrobel, Joint Chief Executive of Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils, shared practical insights from their role as a Surrey pathfinder, offering an overview of the accelerated timeline and the three phases of LGR from initial programme setup to transition and future planning. He reflected on the challenges and opportunities of reform, stressing the value of transparent communication, staff support, cultural alignment, and making use of external expertise. His overarching advice: ask questions early, stay adaptable, and build strong relationships to navigate uncertainty effectively.
This LGR webinar from Local Partnerships, with contributions from councils who have been through the process, explores the “no-regrets” actions you can take now to save time, money and stress later.
Every journey through LGR (Local Government Reorganisation) is different, but the challenges and uncertainty are familiar to all.
This session offers practical guidance for councils navigating LGR, focusing on the crucial period between submission and decision. There is particular emphasis on Programme Management Office (PMO) setup and data collection and analysis.
Watch the LGR webinar below
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
LGR data webinar
Data is the backbone of successful reorganisation.
This session focuses on gathering data once and gathering it well. We shared Local Partnerships’ templates for information requests, explain what “good enough” looks like and highlight common pitfalls to avoid during change.
Councils going through LGR need to work together on data now, even when the future structure isn’t clear. This webinar explains how to take “no regrets” actions such as building a shared view of data. It features a unique perspective from the frontline as we are joined by Pedro Wrobel, Chief Executive of Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council.
Speakers
- Pedro Wrobel, Chief Executive, Guildford Borough Council & Waverley Borough Council
- Simon Bandy, Senior Strategy Director, Local Partnerships
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is transforming how waste and resource services are delivered, bringing complex challenges around contracts, infrastructure, staff, and service continuity. Our Navigating Waste and Resource Services through LGR Waste Toolkit provides both strategic and operational guidance, offering clear frameworks, checklists, and practical tools to help authorities manage change confidently and effectively.
Watch the webinar replay below and use the ‘Download Resources’ tab to download the LGR Waste Toolkit.
LGR PMO Pathways Toolkit
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