Local Government Reorganisation Support

This guide outlines the support available to you from the Local Government Association (LGA) to support your Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) journey – much of it free. Support that councils need to pay for is indicated with a £ symbol.

This offer is in addition to the LGA’s wider support offer, much of which will also support you well on your journey. If there is support that you’d find helpful that you can’t see in here, or if you would like to discuss any of the offers in more detail, please get in touch with your principal adviser. 

You can also find a wide range of advice, guidance and case studies in the LGR Toolkit, our LGR and Devolution Hub, and through our regular webinars.

This offer will develop over time in response to changing sector needs and will be refreshed periodically. 

This guide is correct at: 10 July 2026.

Communities of Practice

Adult social care LGR Communities of Practice will be established in 2026-27 to provide peer support. Councils will be invited directly to join these.

Resources

The following resources will be developed over the course of the year:

• Introduction to Adult Social Care for elected members (by July 2026)
• ASC-specific roadmap setting out key processes and stages (by August 2026)
• Risk logs with mitigating actions to be shared with local areas by the end of 2026
• Further edition of “LGR Lessons Learnt for ASC” (to be published by January 2027).

Bespoke support

Councils also have access to Care and Health Improvement Advisers who can provide support around specific local issues.

Asset management health checks (£)

We can provide asset management health checks for local areas to support with LGR preparations. This includes reviews of existing asset management approaches and strategies by experienced peers and experts to support councils to: 

• identify core steps needed to maximise assets for future use and support service transformation
• help understand and implement best practice property portfolio management. 

The focus of these health checks is on public service reform, growth and housing delivery. 

The LGA offers a two-phase approach to supporting councils. 

1. Phase One - Desktop Review (Virtual delivery)

This comprises a review of the existing strategy and approach (using CIPFA, RICS guidance, LGA Peer and One Public Estate expertise) in the context of financial pressures and growth opportunities.

The output is a formal report with recommendations on:

• Future Asset Management Strategy 
• opportunities for potential asset maximisation 
• opportunities to deliver housing and growth 
• Specific focus area(s) requested.

The LGA would be available to present findings (in person) to the council if required.

This offer would cost councils between £12,000 - £15,000 depending on the full scope agreed.

2. Phase Two - Asset Peer Challenge (on-site delivery)

This comprises an in-depth on-site review based on phase one findings, with a timetable of site visits and interviews with officers, members and partners by a full team of LGA Peers.

The outputs are feedback presentation delivered virtually 2 weeks after site visits, and a detailed report with recommendations covering:

• overview of current & future Asset Management Strategy and delivery plan 
• opportunities for potential asset maximisation 
• opportunities to deliver housing and growth within existing land and assets, including advice on potential routes to bring this forward.

The council would develop an action plan in response to the report and recommendations, with ongoing support provided through LGA teams.  To support councils to continuously improve a short progress review to be delivered virtually will be offered within 12-18 months of the initial peer challenge.

This offer would cost councils between £23,000 - £28,000 depending on the full scope agreed.

Leadership Essentials 

This development event aims to support Lead Members with the key challenges they face in the changing policy landscape and to develop leadership capacity, share learning and provide a valuable networking opportunity. The programme going forward will include work around LGR, as well as helping councillors to develop the skills and knowledge needed to support councils through LGR. 
The residential programme runs over two days and is delivered by member peers and LGA staff supported by guest speakers from local government and partner agencies. It is free to attend for Lead Members for Children’s Services and Chairs of Children’s Scrutiny Committees. 

Children’s Services Peer Challenge 

A three- or four-day review of children’s services practice, the peer challenge is structured around three core areas with additional deep dive themes/diagnostic elements than can be added on as part of the scoping process. As councils prepare for LGR, we can look specifically at readiness for LGR through the peer challenge process, including the use of LGR-experienced peers. More detail is available on our children’s services peer challenge webpage.

Test of assurance 

A framework to review senior management arrangements for children’s services (and/or adults services), offering advice and recommendations to ensure the effective compliance with, and delivery of, statutory responsibilities and accountabilities. 

Bespoke support 

We can provide bespoke support to councils as they prepare for LGR. Please contact your local children’s improvement adviser for an initial conversation

LGR communications and engagement health checks (£) 

Communications reviews (one day or three day) are included in the standard LGA Communications Improvement offer. However, we are now applying this specifically to LGR, offering LGR specific communications health checks. 
We are offering two distinct peer challenges to support local areas going through the LGR process: 

External communications and engagement health check: this will establish whether the councils in an area have the right communication strategies and plans, structures, capacity, processes and messaging in place to help them deliver LGR and to manage the proposed transition to new unitary authorities. 

External health checks can be tailored to the individual needs of the local area.

However, based on the experience of delivering these peer challenges previously we would anticipate spending one to two days in the area carrying out interviews and focus groups with a range of stakeholders across the councils involved. This would typically include: 

• chief executives 
• senior officers 
• senior members 
• communications teams 
• LGR project/programme/workstream leads
• other relevant stakeholders. 

Staff engagement health check: this will establish whether councils have effective plans and strategies in place to engage with their staff throughout the

LGR process.

Staff engagement health checks are primarily focussed on internal communications. We would anticipate spending one to two days in the area carrying out interviews and focus groups with a range of stakeholders across the councils involved. This would typically include: 

• chief executives 
• senior officers 
• communications teams 
• LGR project/programme/workstream leads 
• staff groups 
• frontline staff  
• trade unions. 

For both health checks, the team would include a LGA peer challenge manager and at least one officer peer with previous LGR experience. A member peer could also be added to the team, depending on the authority’s preferences. 
The health check would be followed by a presentation or a written report. Both would include key findings and recommendations. It would be up to the councils involved to decide whether, or how widely, to publish the presentation or report.

Bespoke support (free and £) 

Working with our associates and peers we deliver bespoke workshops on a multitude of topics including but not limited to: 

• public affairs 
• organisational and place narrative 
• strategy development (communications and/or corporate plan) 
• mentoring. 

Peers can act as critical friends toward council’s communications plans regarding LGR, to help ensure messaging is reaching stakeholders at key points within this process. We also support councils with narrative development (as part of wider community and staff engagement) that aids effective and clear messaging, and will also be available to support new unitary and strategic authorities in shaping communications plans for engaging staff and residents. 

Training (free and £) 

We also deliver training courses with associates and peers. Our two most popular training courses are ‘communicating in a political environment’ and social media training (for officers and/or councillors). Training can be followed by more bespoke support.

Comms Hub and LGR communications and engagement network (free)

Our offer provides useful resources for the sector, including toolkits on external and internal engagement strategies, informed by best practice and case studies. Our LGR communications & engagement network for communications leads further facilitates shared learning and a collaborative approach to finding solutions for common engagement challenges. 

These resources will support local and strategic authorities to be proactive in their engagement strategies – improving engagement with staff and residents and reducing the risks of misinformation, confusion and negative narratives that may otherwise accompany transitions. 

We have a range of toolkits, guidance and case studies available on our Comms Hub: part of the LGA website dedicated to colleagues working in communications. On the Comms Hub, you will find all of our guidance, including our LGR comms and engagement toolkit, our LGR internal communications toolkit and our full support offer.

Leadership Essentials for councillors

This free development event supports Lead Members with the key challenges they face in the changing policy landscape and to develop leadership capacity, share learning and provide a valuable networking opportunity. The programme includes work around LGR, as well as helping councillors to develop the skills and knowledge needed to support councils through LGR, plus insight into national policy, funding, and local best practice. 

Leadership Essentials for officers

This free training session for existing and emerging culture leads in councils is funded by Arts Council England. It introduces officers to key national policies, leadership development, thinking around local government reorganisation and devolution, and local best practice in achieving improved public health, economic growth, and community cohesion. 

Culture and library peer challenges

Funded by Arts Council England, these free peer challenges allow your council to receive expert advice on a topic of your choosing.  Peer challenges are carried out to your specification and are aimed at improving, not judging, your council. There are options to apply for online or face-to-face peer challenges. To find out more email [email protected]

Guidance on local government reorganisation for libraries, archives, and archaeology services

The LGA has worked with Libraries Connected, The National Archives, and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers to develop reports on the options for redesigning these services through local government reorganisation. This includes the opportunities and trade-offs for aggregation, disaggregation, and shared services. These can be found on the LGR Hub. A guide for museum services is under development. Lead officers from the LGA and the other associations are happy to hold conversations to assist with thinking – please contact [email protected].

The LGR DDAT network offers the opportunity to learn from colleagues who have gone through LGR on different topics meeting every other month, supported an online space to share and collaborate.  We work closely with the Procurement and Workforce networks. If you would like to join the network, please submit an expression of interest form. 

Guidance, case studies, and other resources produced by the LGA will form part of the LGR Digital and Cyber Playbook: Local Government Reorganisation Digital and Cyber Playbook.

Preparing for day one workshop (free)

LGR creates a prolonged period of uncertainty. For DDAT leaders, this often means maintaining BAU, holding risk, and leading teams through change while the future landscape is still forming and evolving.   

The workshop is intended to create space to step back and think about how to lead well in these conditions, understand the key phases of LGR and how DDaT preparation aligns to each.  There will be insight on what needs to be done now, next, and later, and practical hints and tips from councils who have already merged or disaggregated.  

There will be opportunity to explore and resolve common challenges, as well as understanding risks and mitigations, constraints, and opportunities for creating a digital enabled council.  You will take away practical guidance, tools, and approaches to help you prepare for day 1.

This workshop will run several times over the year to provide smaller cohorts a safe space to learn and share.  Participants are offered the follow-up opportunity to join an action learning set that will meet 3 or 4 times depending on the needs of the group.

Please see the LGR hub events page for more information as these are confirmed.

LGA 360 (£) 

The LGA360 offers open, informed conversations among equals that catalyse innovation, build networks, and prioritise actionable outcomes. It offers time to think about big questions around your organisation’s digitalisation plans, cyber investments, and use of data, facilitated by thought leaders in the sector who are actively working on the same questions. Our unique ‘for the sector, by the sector’ approach is designed to enable peers to be constructive supporters, offering fresh perspective, making purposeful and respectful challenges of your strategies, testing your ideas and plans, and helping you identify and resolve gaps in your approach to day-to-day challenges.

The LGA360 is available in a variety of key themes to suit your needs – cyber, digital, data, or LGR. 

• Our cyber focus, based on our cyber framework and broadly aligned with the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), provides a view of your cyber security culture, helps you develop your understanding of what could be ‘even better if’, and can provide a fresh perspective to help drive investment in this area. 
• Our digital theme, based on our respected digitalisation framework, focuses on digital inclusion, skills and capabilities, technology, digital ethics, and leadership. It helps you dig into the alignment between your digital investments and wider strategic goals and understand areas for improvement. 
• Our data theme focuses on using data to support your organisation’s journey. 
• Our LGR theme provides you with the relevant aspects of our other 360s as well as digging into your organisational digital readiness, workforce digital readiness, and digital governance.  
• In addition, we can help facilitate the production of joint incident response plans, run incident response and business continuity exercises, and provide coaching and mentoring opportunities. 

The LGA360 Digital, Cyber, and Business Continuity sessions are available to book now through our website. Reviews are chargeable, although discounts and subsidies are available in many cases, including for members and smaller organisations.

Events and resources  

The Digital Transformation Learning Hub contains case studies and learning from councils that have gone through LGR, our podcast, events (including supplier webinars to help prepare for LGR) and learning resources to help establish a council that is well positioned for ongoing change and transformation. 

The Local Government Reorganisation: Cyber, Digital, Data and Technology Considerations report contains lessons learnt from officers across eight existing unitary councils to assist with planning LGR. 

LG Inform and LG Inform Plus (free and £) 

Funded by UK Government, LG Inform is the Local Government Association’s public data service with enhanced access available on registration for all councils and combined authorities. It brings together a wide range of published data in one place, helping organisations to benchmark performance, understand their area, and support evidence-based decision making in LGR.

Registered users can access, compare and explore data, create reports, and share insights to support planning, performance management, and communication with members, partners, and residents.

LG Inform Plus is the enhanced version of the service which enables subscribing organisations to go further with their data. It provides tools to bring together local and national data, create dashboards, assess powers and duties and support more efficient internal reporting. For example, using the Natural Neighbourhoods tool can be a great help in assessing the data of new areas. 

Over 145 councils are already subscribers saving time, reducing duplication, and making better use of the data they already hold, supporting improved insight and more joined-up working. 

Performance management action learning sets 

As part of our data improvement support, we host regular performance management panels. These typically involve six to eight performance leads sharing what they’re doing in their local authority, discussing the challenges they face, and learning from what happens elsewhere. Participants are offered the follow-up opportunity to join an action learning set, with some of these focusing specifically on performance management in the context of LGR. If you would be interested in joining one of our panels, please email us at [email protected] to express your interest.

LGR - A practical guide for street and address custodians 

We are producing a guide to support councils with the effective management of street naming and addressing functions through the LGR process. The guidance will outline practical steps for early planning, policy alignment, and phased system integration to ensure service continuity and a smooth transition before, during, and after vesting day. We aim to publish this guide early in autumn 2026.

Please contact your Principal Adviser to discuss any of these offers.

Election preparation 

We can provide support ahead of local elections, including in the run up to shadow elections, including for example the provision of bespoke advice from expert member and officer peers and access to a range of online guidance and tools. 

Councillor induction 

We are developing a full induction package for shadow councillors, supporting them to understand their roles and responsibilities during this transition period and to build skills and knowledge ahead of vesting day. These induction materials will be available in advance of the 2027 elections.

Change of control support 

We have significant experience in assisting councils where there is a change of political control, which is provided by our regional support teams and expert peers to help smooth political transitions and ensure that members and officers have access to the resources and support they need to deliver effectively in their roles. Examples of this tailored support include mentoring for both councillors and officers by expert peers. ‘Top Team’ leadership workshops and officer/councillor development sessions. 

Be a Councillor (both free and £) 

We can help develop a ‘Be a Councillor’ campaign and programme of activities to encourage and support a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds and skills to stand in elections to new authorities. We will work with political parties and independents; expert outreach organisations; and transitional arrangements for the new authorities.

Structured programmes for councillors

Leadership Essentials (£) 

Our LGR Leadership Essentials course offers a comprehensive introduction to LGR, outlining key milestones and examining the various roles councillors will play in supporting its implementation within their councils. It will also consider the governance structures necessary for effective delivery. Participants will reflect on their own leadership challenges in the context of LGR and develop the skills and confidence needed to plan, lead, and guide the process. They will learn to collaborate effectively with fellow LGR leaders; communicate and translate core LGR activities to fellow councillors, communities, council staff, and other stakeholders; and harness LGR as a catalyst for transformational change. 
The programme is primarily aimed at leaders, deputy leaders and relevant portfolio holders/committee chairs from those councils who are part of the Devolution Priority programme. However, if space allows, opposition leaders, deputy leaders and relevant portfolio holders/committee chairs from councils in later LGR phases are also welcome to attend. 
The event runs over two days and costs £260. This includes meals, learning materials and one night’s accommodation.
Dates will be announced shortly.

Leadership Academy (£) 

The Leadership Academy is the LGA’s flagship development programme for councillors in leadership positions, including scrutiny chairs and portfolio shadows. The programme is recognised by The Institute of Leadership, the UK’s leading award-winning body for leadership and management. It includes modules on personal and political leadership, and leadership of place – all vital skills to take councils through the LGR process effectively – and we will adapt content to consider LGR-specific issues according to the needs of delegates. 
Each course is three, two-day residential modules. It costs £1,030 for the first place booked for each authority, and £1,290 for subsequent places. This covers accommodation, meals and materials.

Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS) 

The Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS) can support councils preparing for LGR to consider the implications for council housebuilding, housing delivery capacity and longer-term social and affordable housing ambitions.

CHoSS is a fully funded national improvement programme, funded by MHCLG and delivered by the LGA. It forms part of the wider Council Housebuilding Skills and Capacity Programme, which brings together related national support to help councils increase their housebuilding capacity. CHoSS is open to all councils in England, including councils with and without Housing Revenue Accounts (HRAs), councils that own stock, and councils exploring new or different routes into housing delivery.

For LGR areas, CHoSS can help councils identify risks, opportunities and capacity gaps linked to housing delivery during reorganisation. This may include support on HRA and non-HRA delivery routes, governance, delivery structures, finance and viability, land and pipeline, programme management, workforce capacity, sustainability and social housing management.

CHoSS support may help councils consider:

• how housing services, stock, land, pipelines and delivery programmes may be affected by aggregation or disaggregation
• how to maintain momentum on social and affordable housing delivery during transition
• what governance and decision-making arrangements may be needed before and after vesting day
• how HRA business planning, financial modelling and delivery structures may need to be reviewed
• where councils may need additional capacity, specialist advice or peer learning.

Support is shaped around local need following an initial conversation and self-assessment process. Councils may then be offered practical advice, facilitated discussions, access to specialist delivery support, peer learning opportunities, webinars and relevant guidance.

CHoSS is also developing further practical resources relevant to councils considering LGR and housing delivery, including guidance on HRA issues in an LGR context. Expected publication dates can be confirmed by the CHoSS team as resources move through final review and publication.

Councils can register interest through the CHoSS webpage or contact [email protected] for an initial conversation.

Please contact your Principal Adviser to discuss any of these offers.

Top team sessions 

Workshops for senior political and managerial leaders to help build relationships locally and facilitate collaborative discussions to improve strategic direction, such as the identification of shared priorities, or the approach to plans for change. The LGA’s expertise in political leadership and ‘top team’ programmes helps to support and develop well-functioning member-led councils. The LGA approach is for highly interactive sessions, with lots of time for discussion across political and officer leadership teams. Political peers are utilised to support the delivery of these sessions, reflecting the make-up of the council involved. 

Facilitated discussions 

We can design and facilitate discussions between councils to inform your ongoing preparations for LGR at all stages of the process. The design of these sessions will be shaped in consultation with councils to meet their individual needs and take account of the context of specific areas.

Structured programmes for officers (£)

We work with Solace to provide Leadership Training Programmes for local government officers which all include a focus on the dynamics of LGR and can support officers to gain general leadership skills that will be relevant for navigating local government reform. 

National recruitment campaign for local government 

The ‘Make a Difference, Work for Your Local Council’ campaign supports councils with their recruitment activity. The award-winning campaign has been designed to encourage the public to explore the brilliant opportunities to work in local government at all levels, in all types of councils. Through the use of our campaign toolkit, councils have access to free, ready-made resources that have been tested through market research, which can save valuable time and resources in recruitment.

Local government reorganisation: Finance essentials guides 

These essential LGR guidance notes have been developed by the LGA to provide practical advice and guidance on financial issues that local authorities should consider throughout the LGR implementation phase.
The guides are aimed at non-finance professionals, such as elected members and Chief Executives, but may also be useful to Chief Financial Officers and their teams. The notes have been developed in discussion with CIPFA but are not intended to provide detailed technical finance advice.

Financial Improvement and Sustainability Adviser (FISA) Support 

FISAs are LGA associates who work with individual councils to support and improve their financial management arrangements. They are former local authority chief finance officers, some with direct experience of LGR. FISAs can provide expert advice on LGR issues, including financial aggregation and disaggregation. Please speak to your Principal Adviser or contact [email protected] to find out more.

Finance Peer Challenge 

The finance peer challenge looks at how financial management supports the council to plan for and deliver financial sustainability and resilience: this can be adapted to identify key risks and issues for resolution as part of the LGR discovery and due diligence process. It is conducted on-site at a council over a few days and looks at how councils are setting strategy, making the decisions required and implementing changes that will give them the best chance of balancing their books in the medium and long term. The review involves financially experienced peers and focuses on five areas including leadership, strategy, decision-making, outcomes and finance’s role in supporting innovation. 

Support to Audit Committee Chairs 

Regional Audit Forums are in place to support Audit Committee Chairs. Meeting at least three times a year they provide an opportunity to share good practice and discuss common issues and offer training on key topics, including a focus on LGR. Email [email protected] for more information about the regional audit forums and webinars for audit chairs on LGR.

Member learning events – financial decision making during LGR 

The LGA will hold two member learning events in 2026-27 to ensure that councillors understand their roles in ensuring good financial decision making and assurance during LGR. More information on these will be shared directly with councils as dates are identified.

Governance arrangements

We can provide bespoke support through both our regional teams and the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny, to councils developing new governance arrangements or wishing to review existing ones. This can include support to: 

• ensure constructive, effective scrutiny of the process of planning for LGR 
• identify areas of strength and for improvement, to contribute to the LGR discovery and due diligence process 
• plan for and design governance arrangements of new authorities 
• individual members in leading roles to understand their roles and responsibilities during the LGR process. 

Speak with your LGA regional team to discuss your requirements.

Model constitution 

We will publish a template model constitution for new unitaries by the end of 2026.

Please contact your Principal Adviser to discuss any of these offers.

Critical friend challenge and support 

Through the LGA’s highly regarded regional teams and Political Leadership programme we can broker informal ‘buddying support’ or more formal ‘peer mentoring’ support both for senior political and officer leaders. This support can also be targeted to specific areas of transformation and reorganisation. 

Peer support is bespoke to each individual, but support options can include:

• strategic planning, priority setting and risk management
• building strong relationships and shared ambition across predecessor councils and between members and officers
• effective working as a councillor within a shadow authority
• organisational culture.

Corporate Peer Challenge 

Building on the tried and tested approach to delivering corporate, governance and finance peer challenges, the LGA is able to offer a bespoke corporate peer challenge with a focus on the different elements of your LGR journey using LGR experienced Officer and Member peers specifically to test your preparedness for LGR. It is conducted on-site at a council over a few days and looks at how councils are preparing for LGR and covers five core areas including local priorities and outcomes, organisational and place leadership, governance and culture, financial planning and management and capacity for improvement.

Corporate Peer Challenge is a free offer to councils.

The LGA’s Procurement team can provide support to councils who are undertaking LGR.  

Our network (see “networks” below) seeks to identify and resolve ‘wicked issues’ relating to LGR that are focussed on suppliers and supply chains, the Procurement Act 2023 notices and other policies. We are collecting case studies 

and learning from councils that have gone through LGR, or who are some way through the process, which we use for events and webinars to help councils prepare for LGR.  We can also signpost to other external offers of support relevant to LGR.

We can support or guide councils when a local government strategic supplier has entered administration through our Strategic Markets programme, working with framework providers, supplier membership bodies and the Crown Representatives where appropriate.

Contact [email protected] to find out more.

Leadership Essentials for Councillors 

This free development event supports Lead Members with the key challenges they face in the changing policy landscape and to develop leadership capacity, share learning and provide a valuable networking opportunity. The programme includes work around LGR, as well as helping councillors to develop the skills and knowledge needed to support councils through LGR, plus insight into national policy, funding, and local best practice. 

Leading the Moving - National Training Programme for Officers

This free training session for sport, leisure, and public health leads in councils is funded by Sport England. It introduces officers to key national policies, leadership development, thinking around local government reorganisation and devolution, and local best practice in achieving improved public health, economic growth, and community cohesion. 

Guidance for Sport and Leisure Services on Local Government Reorganisation 

This guidance has been commissioned with Sport England to provide advice and thought leadership for services undergoing LGR. It explores the opportunities and trade-offs for aggregation, integration, and commissioned services; as well as opportunities to more effectively integrate the benefits of being active into public health, social care, and community services. This will be available in July 2026.

LGR Peers Programme 

The LGR Peers Programme will provide councils with access to an independent, experienced LGR officer peer to offer constructive “critical friend” challenge, expert advice and practical support at key points in the LGR journey.
The programme builds on the proven success of the bespoke LGA peer approach, Transformation Peers and Partners Programme and the Economic Growth Adviser Programme, offering short term, high impact support tailored to local need.

The offer is deliberately practical and officer peer led, focused on real world transformation delivery challenges rather than political decision making or consultancy style support. Peers will draw on lived experience of LGR or large scale structural change to help councils strengthen readiness and delivery at critical stages.
Areas of focus could include governance, programme management, finance, workforce and risk, and will be delivered at the LGR area level.

Up to ten days support can be provided over a 4-to-6-month period. To find out more, contact [email protected]

Contact [email protected] for more information or to arrange an initial conversation about any of these offers.

LGR - Ten essential workforce considerations 

Workforce support (free and £) 

The LGA’s Workforce Team provides national, sector-led support to help councils manage largescale and complex workforce transformation safely, legally and effectively during reorganisation. Our range of free and commissioned support is designed to address one of the most significant risk areas identified by councils: workforce change. 

Our ‘ten essential workforce considerations of LGR’ guide has high-level, accessible prompts and a range of practical advice and resources to help councils navigate key workforce and organisational development challenges and support positive change during transition.
In addition, we have tools, targeted support and technical expertise to help councils:

• plan and design new workforce structures
• manage legal and employment risks
• build leadership capability in HR and OD
• ensure continuity of services during transition.

Our support is designed to provide both scaled support (available to all councils) and more tailored interventions where risks are higher, ensuring consistency while responding to local complexity.

Strategic workforce planning and risk management 

The programme will develop and deliver a Workforce Planning Framework and a Workforce Capacity Risk Assessment Toolkit to support councils in:

• mapping future workforce needs for new unitary authorities
• identifying critical roles and potential gaps
• managing redeployment and redundancy processes
• assessing risks to service continuity and leadership capacity.

This will be supported by facilitated sessions to help councils apply the tools and develop mitigation strategies.

HR leadership and workforce capability 

The offer includes training, guidance and support for HR and OD professionals, enabling them to act as strategic advisers during LGR. This aims to build confidence and capability in managing complex workforce change across multiple organisations. 

Legal and technical workforce expertise The programme 

provides specialist legal and workforce advice to support councils through complex employment challenges, including:

• TUPE and staffing regulations
• pay, grading and job evaluation
• equal pay risks
• workforce structure alignment across legacy councils.

This will be delivered via guides, expert-led briefings, and workshops, helping councils make robust, legally compliant decisions during transition. 

Organisational Design (DMA) (£)

Using Decision Making Accountability (DMA), we can support councils to design clear, effective organisational structures. It includes full structural design and span-of-control and layer modelling, helping councils create streamlined, accountable organisations aligned to priorities, while supporting better decision-making and delivery during and beyond reorganisation.

Pay, grading and equal pay (£)

We can work with councils to analyse complex pay and grading challenges during reorganisation, including equal pay risk assessments, pay modelling and support with trade union negotiations. 

Culture change and organisational integration (£)

This offer supports councils to bring together different organisations, cultures and ways of working. It includes cultural diagnostics and the design of shared values and behaviours, helping to build a cohesive organisational identity and support effective collaboration across legacy councils during transition.

Leadership recruitment and assessment (£)

We can support councils to design and deliver senior leadership recruitment during reorganisation. It includes recruitment design, Chief Executive job evaluation, executive search support, and coaching for members and senior leaders, helping ensure new authorities appoint strong, credible leadership teams with the skills to lead complex change.

Emergenetics senior team development (£)

Emergenetics supports leaders and teams to understand their thinking and behavioural preferences, improving communication and collaboration. This programme helps build self-aware leadership teams, strengthen organisational culture, and improve performance and engagement—particularly valuable during periods of change and organisational integration.

Retention and “Golden Handcuff” Strategy (£)

This offer supports councils assess ways to retain key staff during reorganisation by identifying critical roles and workforce risks. It includes bespoke retention strategies and “golden handcuff” analysis, helping councils maintain stability, protect essential skills, and reduce the risk of losing talent during periods of uncertainty and change.

LGR Delivery Network for Officers

The network convenes local government officers tasked with the practical delivery of LGR. The network will provide officers with a place to collaborate, learn, and share templates and notable practice. The aim is to boost capability within local government to help deliver LGR and improve outcomes for residents. 

To join, officers should complete an LGR Delivery Network for Officers expression of interest form.

LGR Councillor Network

The LGR Councillor Network will provide a place to work together, share approaches, and provide support to elected members leading local areas through LGR.
To join the network please contact [email protected] 

LGR Communications and Engagement Network 

The LGR Communications & Engagement Network is a group aimed at creating a collaborative space for council communications and engagement officers involved in LGR. It provides members with a space to share learning, information, experiences, templates and notable practice as we navigate LGR, and how to communicate it, together. 

For more details or if you would like to join the network, please email [email protected] 

LGR DDaT Network 

This network supports cyber, digital, data and technology lead officers involved in delivering local government reorganisation, with knowledge and peer support. The network will be chaired and directed by council officers and takes place every other month. If you would like to join the network, please submit an LGR DDaT Network expression of interest form.

LGR HR Delivery Network

Join our collaborative community supporting HR and workforce resilience during LGR. Our monthly meetings explore expert advice, practical tools, and peer support for managing the challenges and opportunities of LGR. HR leads in LGR councils can email [email protected] to join.

LGR Procurement Network

We convene local government procurement officers who are tasked with the practical delivery of LGR from a commercial and procurement perspective. Our network provides officers with a place to share templates, advice and notable practice. The aim is to increase capability within local government to help deliver LGR.  
To join, Heads of Procurement should contact [email protected] 

Asset Management Network

This will provide officers with an opportunity to consider asset-related issues in the LGR context. Please contact [email protected] to join.