Introduction
Whether it be public or private sector, the role of offices and the workplace has changed drastically since the pandemic, with the need for space in terms of both quantity and type altering significantly. It also has an impact on work styles, organisational culture, the wellbeing of staff and carbon emissions.
Local Partnerships and ACES explore issues with some notable experts, including Jackie Sadek, Chair of the UK Innovation Corridor, and commentators in our “Offices for Good” series.
Conclusion
Flexible working, hybrid working, working from home – whatever you call it – is having a dramatic impact on the nature and size of office accommodation required and wider implications for the vitality of our towns and cities where average office occupancy is stagnating around 30%. Many organisations are downsizing, but are not quite sure how big they should be and what work settings to create.
For local authorities, the situation is critical, many are facing a funding crisis and cannot afford to be holding and maintaining surplus space. What should they be seeking to do in response? Our “Offices for Good” series of webinars and articles will culminate in a launch event at the prominent conference UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) on 22 May. We will focus on establishing a collaborative, practical programme to help local authorities respond to the issues and address the questions of what a fit for purpose future office estate needs to look like and how it is achieved.
Webinar one:
In the first free webinar of the series, Jackie Sadek, Chair of the UK Innovation Corridor, focused on the role of local authorities as custodians of their place.
Jackie explored the topic: how can we best deploy the asset that is council offices to support our local economies and town centres?
Webinar two:
Our second webinar will explore, with the lead officers concerned, some notable office-led initiatives to help address efficiency challenges facing the sector from both a finance and energy perspective.
Webinar three:
Offices for Good: Culture, wellbeing and productivity
Webinar four:
Offices for Good: Data and evidence-based decision making
Explore related materials
Discover guides, toolkits and case studies that build on this topic
The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Matrix is a practical tool designed to help local authorities understand, assess and respond to the potential impacts of climate change and extreme weather on waste services and supporting infrastructure.
The matrix considers a range of climate-related hazards, including heatwaves, flooding and extreme cold, and their potential implications for collection services, household waste and recycling centres, transfer stations, operational depots and key supply chain facilities. It provides a high-level checklist of both short- and longer-term adaptation and mitigation measures that authorities can consider to strengthen the resilience and continuity of their services.
Drawing on research, case studies and stakeholder engagement, the matrix brings together practical actions and considerations in one place. It is not intended to prescribe a single approach; rather, it provides a flexible framework that local authorities can adapt to reflect their own climate risks, infrastructure, service models, geography and local circumstances.
The toolkit also highlights opportunities to embed climate resilience into existing organisational processes and decision-making, rather than treating adaptation as a standalone activity. This includes considering resilience measures through procurement and contract management, budget and capital planning, policy and strategy reviews, asset management, service transformation programmes and wider operational planning.
By using the matrix as a prompt for discussion, review and forward planning, local authorities can identify vulnerabilities, prioritise appropriate interventions and progressively build greater resilience into waste services, infrastructure and supply chains.
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.
UPDATED – 21 September 2026 – Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool
The Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool has been developed by Local Partnerships in collaboration with the Local Government Association (LGA) to provide councils with a straightforward and consistent approach for calculating their carbon baseline and annual emissions reporting.
For assistance and feedback, please email ghgaccounting@localpartnerships.gov.uk
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