Strong digital, data and technology (DDaT) planning supports seamless ‘day one’ services and provides a resilient foundation for future design.
Digital, data and technology (DDaT) are essential to LGR. Strong DDaT planning supports seamless ‘day one’ services, a unified digital environment and modern, reliable ways of working for the new authority. By aligning systems, strengthening cyber practices and creating shared data foundations, councils enhance service quality, support colleagues and open up opportunities for continuous improvement. Using consistent DDaT standards ensures that activities across predecessor councils come together in a clear, coordinated way.
Insights from LGR-experienced councils show that effective DDaT delivery typically involves:
- Establishing clear data sharing principles early on to align information handling, retention, lawful sharing and access arrangements.
- Carrying out early system mapping, identifying critical dependencies and planning coordinated work across ICT, information governance, programme management and service teams.
- Establishing clear digital leadership, phased system transition and collaborative design of future digital capabilities, as outlined in learning from North Yorkshire.
- Reinforcing cyber resilience, confirming multi factor authentication, privileged access controls, patching disciplines and tested incident response across all predecessor councils.
- Establishing shared digital standards by aligning to common architectures, integration patterns and data models, supporting consistent design and future scalability.
This coordinated approach helps predecessor councils become a single organisation with secure data practices, dependable digital services and clear governance for technology decisions. It also provides a resilient foundation for future design, enabling the new council to improve customer experience, use data more effectively and modernise platforms in a planned way.
Overall, focused DDaT planning enables a connected, secure and future-ready authority that delivers high quality services on day one and builds capacity for ongoing transformation.
Top resources
Digital and data tools
The playbook brings together practical guidance, tools, case studies and templates and presents them in one place to help councils plan and deliver the digital, data, technology and cyber elements of reorganisation.
The focus of the content is support for councils preparing for Digital and Cyber for day one (vesting day), reduce risk, and helping to shape Digital and Cyber for the new authority.
The playbook will continue to iterate based on a community model to enable people to submit contributions and the playbook to evolve with ongoing learning.
A subscription‐based service providing access to extensive local and regional datasets, report‐writer tools, mapping, APIs, and compliance modules. Enables councils to monitor performance, maintain service continuity, meet compliance obligations, benchmark operations and support transition planning.
techUK has launched its new Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Hub – a practical resource designed to support councils and partners navigating this change.
LGR is more than structural reform. Done well, it creates the conditions for:
- sustainable cost efficiencies
- simplified, citizen-centred service delivery
- accelerated digital transformation
- stronger long-term resilience.
But the challenges are real – integrating legacy systems, aligning operating models across merged authorities, managing cultural integration, and maintaining service continuity throughout.
The LGR Hub brings together real-world case studies of tech-enabled mergers, alongside insights from those who have already been through the process.
Data sharing and templates
This document was originally developed to support councils during the business case stage of LGR, however it contains important principles for the duration of the LGR process. It aims to help councils efficiently share data, maintain compliance with data protection legislation and support strong inter-authority collaboration.
- Why might I want to share data with other councils?
- Where can I get the data I need?
- How can I facilitate data sharing more easily?
- What safeguards should I put in place?
- Who can I contact for more information and advice?
Since the summer of 2025 Surrey District & Borough Councils, with support from Local Partnerships, have completed an extensive data gathering and analysis exercise in support of their LGR process. This work has included, among others, the establishment of a Project Management Organisation to facilitate the data gathering exercise, a standardised process for the collection, review and analysis of data and the development of Requests for Information (RFIs) in support of that process.
Based on this work, in support of the wider sector, the Data & Analytics team of Local Partnerships has developed an initial sub-section of the RFI’s into a set of generic templates that councils can use for collecting consistent and comparable data required for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), alongside an RFI tracker document to help manage the project management of the data workflow.
The aim of the RFI templates is to help:
- Build a robust, evidence-based baseline to support planning for service transition and, subsequently, service transformation.
- Identify opportunities, risks, and integration challenges early.
- Reduce duplication, improve data quality and ensure data is collected once.
Access to these resources requires a free membership which includes:
- RFI guidance
- RFI LGR tracker
- RFI revenues and benefits template
- RFI finance template
- RFI housing template
- RFI planning template
- RFI climate template
- RFI legal template
- RFI HR template
- RFI contracts template
- RFI property and facilities management
- RFI waste template
- RFI DDaT template
- RFI audit template
- RFI elections template.
GeoPlace – which manages property UPRNs and USRNs on a national basis – has highlighted the need to ensure the these identifiers are embedded in all data migration, integration and service planning activities as part of LGR; and councils should engage with their gazetteer, geographic information system, digital and service teams from an early stage to ensure their contributions are aligned around the data standards. GeoPlace has produced a series of case studies on how local authorities have previously used the identifiers in mergers and data consolidation. This resource includes case studies from Dorset, Buckinghamshire, Somerset, and Cumbria.
Soctim guidance
This blog post by Socitm (24 April 2025) discusses how digital, data and technology (DDaT) play a critical role in the process of LGR and devolution. It explores the challenges of fragmented legacy systems, the need for integrated enterprise architecture, and the importance of thorough planning from discovery through post-implementation. It also includes practical top-tips and scenarios for how DDaT can enable merged services and better outcomes.
- the role of digital, data and technology (DDaT)
- local government reorganisation – 3 scenarios
- how DDaT contributes to various phases of the reorganisation process
- discovery
- consolidate
- transition
- how it worked in North Yorkshire.
This blog post by Socitm (12 June 2025) warns that many local authorities undergoing LGR are proceeding without a shared roadmap, clarity of direction, or coordinated plan. It draws on a series of workshops with 30 councils, highlighting gaps in readiness around data, contracts, governance and leadership. The post emphasises the urgent need for authorities to align their ‘people, process, and technology’ early, build shared vision, foster collaboration, and avoid relying on expensive external consultants or fragmented vendor-driven solutions.
- people. Process. Technology. Get them aligned
- understand your ‘As Is’ – properly
- share everything – contracts, data maps, lessons learned
- agree what matters – citizen outcomes, governance models, safe and legal day one operating conditions
- collaborate early – waiting until the structure is defined is too late
- the sector doesn’t need another strategy. It needs action
- leadership. Vision. Clarity. Permission to collaborate.
This blog (5 August 2025) reflects on how councils are moving from planning to action in the context of LGR. Drawing on workshops with 30+ councils, the author notes how many teams are already benchmarking capabilities, mapping systems, defining their ‘day one’ minimum viable council, and creating shared assets and checklists – rather than waiting for structures to be finalised. The piece emphasises that transformation can and should start early, with leaders stepping up now rather than later.
- from words to delivery
- confidence in action
- how’s it going in North Yorkshire and Westmorland & Furness?
- the message
- DDaT is moving – and it’s not waiting for PowerPoints
- transformation only works if people come with you.
This infographic from Socitm (April 2025) sets out ten strategic questions that public sector leaders should ask to drive their organisation’s data maturity. The questions span alignment of data strategy with organisational goals, workforce capability, infrastructure readiness for AI and emerging tech, data quality and sharing, cost effectiveness, and inclusive community outcomes.
- data strategies and roadmaps
- data quality
- data protection
- use of data
- skills
- data sharing
- transparency and accountability.
This infographic sets out ten strategic questions that public sector leaders should ask to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. It draws on the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) and focuses on combining existing standards with outcome focused cyber resilience, leadership performance, partner/supply chain dependencies, and systemwide capability for incident recovery.
- Using the CAF effectively
- leadership
- policies, processes and procedures
- security risks
- system resilience
- working with partners.
This infographic (January 2025) outlines ten essential questions public sector leaders should ask to align digital initiatives with organisational strategy, build capability, and ensure inclusive, community facing outcomes.
- critical digital initiatives
- partnerships
- reducing costs
- future readiness, including AI
- staff retention
- using place-based data insights
- community and organisational resilience
- external risks
- inclusion.
Webinars
The session (11 February 2026) introduced participants to concrete tools and resources that they can use in their data programme through LGR. Participants heard first from Keith Macdonald, a senior product designer at Local Digital/MHCLG, who spoke about the upcoming LGR Digital Playbook and provided advice about data collaboration. Following this, Joran Mendel, a senior director and data analyst at Local Partnerships (LP), provided an update on the data collection templates that have been produced by LP following their work on data with the district and borough councils in Surrey.
Data is the backbone of successful reorganisation. This session (22 January 2026) focuses on gathering data once and gathering it well. It shares Local Partnerships’ templates for information requests, explains what 'good enough' looks like and highlights 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 (14 January 2026) showed how to take 'no regrets' actions such as building a shared view of data. It featured a unique perspective from the frontline as we were joined by Pedro Wrobel, Chief Executive of Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council.
As the council landscape and digital infrastructure reshapes, identity becomes the frontline of cyber defence. This webinar (26 November 2025) explores how to secure access across complex, multi-tenant environments, implement robust identity governance, and adopt Zero Trust principles during reorganisation. Learn practical strategies for managing new starter-mover-leaver processes, preventing credential-based attacks, and ensuring seamless yet secure user experiences.
Discover how to strengthen your council’s cyber security posture in the face of local government reorganisation and multi-tenancy. This webinar (12 November 2025) covers the latest threats, practical strategies for securing complex environments, and how to leverage modern tools to protect against evolving cyber risks.
As councils navigate the complexities of Local Government Reorganisation, migrating tenants securely and efficiently is critical. This webinar (5 November 2025) shares practical insights from real-world experiences, looking at learning proven strategies, avoiding common pitfalls, and building a resilient foundation for your council’s digital future.
Read the questions and answers
This webinar from 6 May 2025 shared high level findings from a discovery exercise which set out to understand the challenges and opportunities around CDDaT and LGR.
06:55 – 10:05 – Rebecca Wilson, LGA Cyber, Digital and Technology sector support programme. Overview of LGA support programme.
10:06 – 14:19 - Lisa Trickey, Lead Adviser Digital Change, LGA. LGA digitalisation framework; approach to discovery exercise.
14:20 – Key findings from discovery exercise including ‘safe and legal’ versus long-term vision; ‘day one’ enablers and requirements; the importance of starting work as early as possible; understanding technology, software and contracts across councils; planning beyond “day one”; empowering the workforce and leveraging existing skills and capabilities; culture and workforce
As the council landscape and digital infrastructure reshapes, identity becomes the frontline of cyber defence. This webinar explores how to secure access across complex, multi-tenant environments, implement robust identity governance, and adopt Zero Trust principles during reorganisation. Learn practical strategies for managing new starter-mover-leaver processes, preventing credential-based attacks, and ensuring seamless yet secure user experiences.
This is a webinar series for digital and technology professionals in councils involved in delivering LGR.
Managing, protecting and governing data is a necessity in councils and ensuring compliance during the transition to a unitary council is critical to maintaining public trust. In this session, we explored the practical steps councils can take to secure their data estate, meet regulatory obligations, and build resilience for the future. We covered everything from planning and governance to risk mitigation and continuous compliance.
Discover how to strengthen your council’s cyber security posture in the face of local government reorganisation and multi-tenancy. This webinar covers the latest threats, practical strategies for securing complex environments, and how to leverage modern tools to protect against evolving cyber risks.
This is a webinar series for digital and technology professionals in councils involved in delivering LGR.
As councils navigate the complexities of Local Government Reorganisation, migrating tenants securely and efficiently is critical. This session shares practical insights from real-world experiences. Join us to learn proven strategies, avoid common pitfalls, and build a resilient foundation for your council’s digital future.
Further reading
Examples of data sharing templates
This is an example of the data sharing request form used by Buckinghamshire Council through LGR.
- reasons for data sharing request
- risk assessment of data sharing
- data minimisation.
Lessons from previous LGRs
This report sets out the policy context and timeline for LGR, and explains why clear DDaT leadership, early discovery and realistic governance are critical to avoid friction and delay.
Page 4: Devolution and reorganisation
Page 5: Government highlights importance of data
Page 6: Opportunities within reorganisation
Page 7: DDaT leadership challenges
Page 10: The tech and data challenges
Page 14: Leadership approaches
Page 16: Harnessing the technology
Page 20: Further perspectives
Page 21: Practical steps to take before March 2026
Page 22: Key takeaways
Page 24: Case study: Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council.
In this podcast, Madeline Hoskin, Assistant Director for Technology at North Yorkshire Council, and Craig Taylor, Chief Technology Officer at Phoenix join Helen Olsen from UKAuthority on the UKA Live Podcast to talk about their experience of delivering complex reorganisations - offering frank advice and honest assessment of how they would approach this 'if they knew then what they know now'.
They focus on the following questions:
- Looking back at the process now, what would you have done differently?
- Where, and how, would you prioritise people, culture and agreeing that all important target architecture?
- What support did you expect – and get – from suppliers?
- How easy was it to merge tenancies, licencing and to consolidate line of business systems?
- What did you prioritise for vesting day? And why?
- What advice would you give today to those facing the current round of reorganisation?
This case study examines how Dorset Council's housing team through Local Government Reorganisation were able to utilise digital technology and design skills which became available to them to transform reactive complaint handling to proactive service delivery.
It outlines the complex task of merging four district council operations, and explains how Dorset Council made a strategic decision to embrace digital innovation as a proactive solution to meeting increasing demand.
This case study explores how Somerset Council developed its Target Operating Model (TOM) in the 2019 to 2023 wave of unitary authority creations. It examines how this high-level, aspirational model, created through intensive collaboration, is acting as a vital compass. It is helping the new council (formed from one county council and four districts) to navigate financial pressures and foster a new shared culture focused on delivering better resident outcomes including ‘digital by choice’ services.
In this blog, Ben Unsworth reflects upon his experience of LGR in Buckinghamshire and his pitch to get the new council website right. He reflects upon his strategy to make the new website critical to the user centered, coherent, participative design of the new council.
- website strategy
- working with the LGR delivery team
- working multi-disciplinarily
- content management systems
- getting a head start on content
- collaboration and sharing.
In this summary blog, officers from North Yorkshire reflect upon the process of creating a single access point or ‘front door’ to their new council by vesting day. The aim was to provide a cohesive approach to customer services whilst in the background combining eight teams and unifying eight systems and ways of working.
This blog includes details about the new North Yorkshire website as well as their use of telephony, interactive virtual assistants, and chatbots. It also explains their ways of working and collaboration across the eight councils.
- summary of the strategy and project objectives
- what are the key achievements?
- how innovative was the initiative?
- what are the key learning points?
This May 2025 research-report by the LGA explores how digital, data and technology (DDaT) considerations are critical during LGR. It draws on interviews with officers from councils undergoing transition and provides key findings on the importance of ‘safe and legal’ service delivery, baseline technology assets, leadership in digital transformation and cost/risk management. It also outlines recommendations and success-factors for councils using the reorganisation process as a catalyst for longer-term digital maturity.
Page 5: Executive summary
Page 9: Phases of LGR
Page 12: Recommendations
Page 14: Success factors
Page 16: Leadership and organisation
Page 18: People and change
Page 21: Governance and decision making
Page 23: Planning and implementation
Page 25: Cyber, digital, data and technology
Page 32: Cost considerations
Page 34: Risk considerations
Page 36: Further reading
A reflective blog post by the Head of Delivery (now Assistant Director for Technology) at North Yorkshire Council, looking back over two years of their local government reorganisation process. It focuses notably on technology consolidation, leadership appointments ahead of vesting day, and the scale of the task (e.g., ~580 systems to manage on vesting day). It shares practical lessons and insights from their journey.
- Reflections on technology consolidation for LGR
- LGR North Yorkshire vesting day
- The organisation – what we did
- The suppliers – what they did
- The people – what we did
- Communication and small things
- What else you need to know
This Socitm magazine article features interviews with LGR-experienced colleagues from previous LGRs (such as Westmorland and Furness Council and Somerset Council). It highlights the scale of change ahead, stresses the importance of early preparation, and offers practical advice on transitioning services, managing roles, and setting the tone for the new councils.
- good housekeeping
- relationships
- consolidating systems
- dividing systems
- day one
- beyond reorganisation.
This case study explores Dorset Council’s housing service after its formation as a unitary authority in April 2019 (through Local Government Reorganisation). It details how the service merged teams and legacy systems, procured a flexible housing software platform, built a culture of continuous improvement around data and digital tools (e.g., real-time dashboards, self-service portals), and achieved benefits for residents, staff and strategic planning.
- the challenge
- creating a solution
- building for success
- the benefits
- key takeaways.
Civiteq hosted a virtual round table specifically for senior leaders in local government who are facing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). On the round table’s panel were experienced professionals from councils and national bodies who have led or supported digital and ICT transformation through LGR. The insights they share, summarised in this whitepaper, are grounded in real-world delivery, strategic planning, and post-vesting day operations.
Page 4: Starting position
Page 5: Workforce
Page 6: Shadow councils
Page 7: Change management
Page 8: Internal communication
Page 9: Legacy systems
Page 10: Managing expectations
Page 11: Safe and legal
Page 12: Prioritisation
Page 14: One thing I wish I had known
Understanding the considerations for cyber, digital, data and technology during LGR
This LGA guide outlines important questions for chief executives to ask their teams to understand cyber resilience in their council.
- gather information
- leadership
- training
- review
- asset management
- risk management
- supply chain
- data management
- response and business continuity planning
- lessons learnt.
This webinar from the Cyber, Digital and Technology team at the Local Government Association shared high level findings from a discovery exercise which set out to understand the considerations for cyber, digital, data and technology during Local Government Reorganisation (LRG), including: the challenges and opportunities; the factors that position a council better for ongoing change and transformation; and sector support needs.
0:00 – 2:00 Introduction and LGA overview
2:00 – 6:00 LGA support for LGR and devolution – political, officer and bespoke offers
6:00 – 7:00 Webinar purpose and introduction of speakers
7:00 – 10:00 LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology support programme overview
10:00 – 13:00 Context – digitalisation framework, discovery aims and scope
13:00 – 17:00 Key findings: importance of ‘safe and legal’ and future-enabling planning
17:00 – 20:00 Governance and system convergence – lessons from councils
20:00 – 25:00 Workforce capability, contract management, and digital leadership skills
25:00 – 28:00 Cultural change, people impact, and setting a new digital culture
28:00 – 31:00 Support needs and next steps (guidance, collaboration, facilitation)
31:00 – 32:30 Closing remarks and Q&A
This summary webpage presents key findings from the LGA’s research into how councils undergoing LGR should approach cyber, digital, data and technology (DDaT). It outlines the challenges and opportunities for issues such as contract consolidation, legacy systems baselining, staff capability and risk management, and offers sector support and a roadmap of key phases for DDaT through LGR.
- links to report and webinar recording
- Q&A transcript.
Sector support offers
In this video, DSIT, MHCLG, Socitim and the LGA shared the evolving LGR DDAT support offer.
00:00 – 2:30: Introduction
2:30 – 8:00: LGA support offer
8:30 – 23:50: MHCLG: Local Government Reorganisation Playbook
24:50 – 28:30: MHCLG: Software market through LGR
28:30 – 40:30: Socitim support offer
40:35 – 43:00: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Local Government Digital Service
Supplier management
The briefing brought together tech suppliers to discuss how digital innovation can support Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Speakers outlined the strategic context, including challenges such as legacy systems, fragmented data and differing levels of digital maturity. The event emphasised collaboration, opportunities to improve citizen services, and the growing role for suppliers as 21 areas prepare final LGR proposals. It also highlighted national digital priorities and how suppliers can contribute to more efficient, modernised local services.
Highlighted pages
LGR Toolkit
This toolkit hub brings together resources from across the sector to help those going through local government reorganisation (LGR).
LGR: Checklist
The following checklist outlines a range of key actions that must be undertaken at each stage of the LGR process, along with links to resources that will help councils to deliver those actions.