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Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) represents one of the most complex transformation programmes a group of councils can undertake. The scale of change spanning governance, people, assets, systems and services requires a structured approach to programme management.
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A Programme Management Office (PMO) provides a centraln anchored function to coordinate, support and oversee this work, helping to ensure that the objectives of LGR are delivered while achieving “safe and legal” on vesting day. This toolkit sets out how councils can use a PMO to support LGR. This can be done through setting up a new dedicated cross-council arrangement or adapting current resources. In both cases a collaborative structure will be required.

Additionally, existing PMOs will need to ensure that business as usual continues alongside demands of LGR.  It is important to note that every LGR journey is uniquely shaped by local context, geography, political landscape and the nature of the reorganisation itself therefore one approach will not fit all.

This guidance has been designed and shaped by councils who have developed and operated PMO functions within LGR environments – with many thanks to them for the insights and shared experience.

The Navigating Highways Services through Local Government Reorganisation Toolkit is a practical resource developed by ADEPT in partnership with Local Partnerships to support local highway authorities through the challenges and opportunities of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Drawing on Local Partnerships’ experience supporting councils through complex transformation programmes, alongside insight and expertise from ADEPT members, the toolkit provides step-by-step guidance, practical checklists and strategic advice to help authorities manage the transition to new unitary structures.

Please note: a fully accessible version of the toolkit is coming soon. Please contact us if you would like to be alerted when it releases.

Delivered by CHoSS in partnership with Local Partnerships, this webinar explored the role of Housing Revenue Accounts (HRAs) in supporting sustainable council housebuilding, particularly in the context of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). It covered key considerations for councils reviewing or restructuring HRAs, including governance, financial modelling, and delivery approaches.

The session examined transitions from predecessor to successor authorities, strengthening business planning, ensuring compliance with statutory and prudential frameworks, and aligning HRA strategy with wider housing ambitions. It was aimed at senior officers, finance and housing leads, and councillors involved in HRA management and structural change.

Led by Local Partnerships, the ‘viability and pipeline’ webinar will focus on how councils can build stronger programme confidence by:

• Understanding the key drivers that influence viability
• Identifying why schemes stall and how to unblock them
• Prioritising sites and managing pipeline sequencing
• Strengthening programme-level risk management and decision-making

The session will also highlight how councils can access further support through CHoSS to explore viability challenges in more depth.

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.

UPDATED – Housing Delivery Vehicles Toolkit March 2026

It is estimated there are more than 200 councils in the UK who have already established housing delivery vehicles. With housing issues arguably more at the forefront of local government thinking than for a generation, many councils – whether they have established them or not – are reviewing their activities in this area.

Housing Delivery Vehicle Toolkit

In response to this clear need from the sector, we have relaunched an updated version of our Housing Delivery Vehicle Toolkit. It is free to download.

We also ran a webinar about ‘The future of housing delivery vehicles’ webinar. Our team of experts discussed on the following; considerations in establishing delivery vehicles, how to review progress and the experience so far: lessons learned and good practice. Please find the replay below as well.

Rising costs, competing capital pressures and evolving funding rules mean that financial strategy is now central to council-led housebuilding.

The ‘CHoSS: Funding and finance for council housebuilding’ explored the sources of finance and funding available to councils and, crucially, how to make a clear and credible internal case for investment in housing delivery.

The discussion covered:

• The key financial and funding considerations influencing council housebuilding

• Approaches to structuring and planning investment to support delivery

• Building organisational confidence around housing investment decisions

• Aligning financial strategy with long-term housing ambition