To find out more, and read the recommendations in full, head to www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

The discussion was informed by the findings of a new report which drew on the experience of senior officers that have led through LGR to recommend how to build new unitary authorities and transform local public services.

Or sign up to this great panel event where we will discuss the main report findings. Wednesday 24 September 2025, 17:30-18:30
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/local-...

To read the full recommendations and the experiences of senior officers that have led in earlier rounds of LGR head to www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

To do so the paper recommends local leaders should:
- Decide which services to prioritise for transformation amid capacity constraints
- Tailor transformation strategies around the chosen geographic footprint
- Strengthen enabling functions like HR teams and integrated ICT platforms

Yet, if delivered successfully, LGR may offer a unique opportunity to define local governance for a generation by generating financial savings, exploiting emerging technologies and delivering public services more efficiently.

As one interviewee put it "launching LGR is easy; aggregating district council functions, disaggregating county council functions and devising and executing transformation programmes is when the hard work begins."

From culture clashes within the new organisations, to incompatible IT systems, the report has many examples of the practical challenges that the new authorities will have to face. All told there is a significant longtail - upward of five years - that will follow the creation of the new authorities.

This is a big task in itself as one interviewee put it "staff were shattered on day one" But... The job doesn’t finish there; it will take considerable time and effort to embed new structures and deliver the transformation of local public services that the government is aiming for.

Establishing new unitary authorities that can deliver safe and legal services from day one is a significant challenge especially given the sector’s weakened strategic capacity following years of financial strain, rising service demands and staff shortages in key posts.

What are the main findings?

Our new report examines what this means for the delivery of district council services such as planning, waste collection and the administration of local taxation. These councils also currently play an important role in fostering local community engagement.

In December 2024, the govt notified councils it would launch a new LGR round and in February 2025 invited leaders in all two-tier council areas and 19 neighbouring unitary authorities to reorganise.