Making a success of LGR: How should central government support local authorities going through Local Government Reorganisation?

The government’s ambitious local government reorganisation (LGR) programme will replace all county and district councils with a single tier of unitary local government. This is the largest LGR wave since 46 unitary authorities (UAs) were established between 1995 and 1997 and will affect around 41% of England’s population. Decisions have been made – or are imminent – on the areas on the government’s devolution priority programme, meaning LGR will now move from preparation to implementation with new councils in Surrey due to go live in April 2027 and new elections due to take place in other LGR areas shortly afterwards.

Against this time-pressured backdrop, implementation faces challenges including constrained capacity across the sector and an influx of new political players. Government will need to closely monitor delivery and engage closely with the sector to ensure these ambitious plans are realised.

So what are the main implementation challenges facing local leaders and what can government do to help? What support is being offered to the sector more broadly? And, what further actions should central government take to ensure new unitary authorities are delivered on time?

This event will be chaired by Dr Matthew Fright, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.

We would like to thank Grant Thornton UK LLP for kindly supporting this event.