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
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Risk and Opportunities Matrix
Following user feedback we have updated the previously named risk register generator.
UPDATED – 29 July 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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