Local Government Reorganisation: What can councils learn from those who have been through it?
- Dukes Bailiffs Limited
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
LGR is more than a change to council structures. We brought together people
who have lived through it to explore what councils preparing for reorganisation now can learn from their experience.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is one of the biggest changes currently facing councils across England. For those preparing for reorganisation, there is a huge amount to consider. New structures, new organisations, new ways of working, all while continuing to deliver essential services for residents.
But what can councils learn from those who have already been through it?
That was the focus of our first Shaping the Future of Revenues roundtable, held in York earlier this year.
Bringing experience around the table
We brought together local government leaders, Revenues and Benefits practitioners, policy specialists and sector experts with experience spanning multiple generations of LGR.
Our contributors included people who have been through reorganisations in 2009, 2020 and 2023, as well as those currently preparing for the next wave of change.
It created an opportunity for a very open conversation.
Rather than focusing solely on the theory of LGR, contributors shared what they had actually experienced, what worked, what proved challenging, what they would do differently, and where they believe councils preparing now should be looking ahead.
One thing became clear very quickly...
LGR isn't just about creating new structures, it's about creating organisations that are ready for the future.
That means looking beyond vesting day and considering what the new organisation needs to look like, how it will operate and how it will continue to deliver for residents.
The conversation explored some of the biggest questions facing Revenues and Benefits teams as they prepare for change.
What happens when the pressure to deliver savings meets the need to invest for the future?
How early should councils really be making key decisions?
What happens to organisational culture when several legacy authorities become one?
How do you create capacity for transformation while continuing to deliver business as usual?
And how much opportunity is there to rethink the way services operate rather than simply combining what already exists?
There were plenty of different experiences and perspectives around the table, but also some striking similarities between those who had already been through LGR and those preparing for it now.
From experience to practical insight
The discussion brought together lessons from different stages of the LGR journey, creating a rare opportunity to look at reorganisation from both sides. Those who have already experienced LGR were able to reflect on the decisions that shaped their own programmes and the lessons that only become clear once the transition is underway.
Those preparing for the next wave brought a different perspective: what are councils thinking about now, and what questions still need to be answered?
We've captured those conversations in our latest Shaping the Future of Revenues report.
Inside, you'll find the experiences and reflections shared by our contributors, alongside the key themes that emerged from the discussion and the decisions they believe could make the biggest difference to the future success of LGR.
Some of the lessons may challenge how you are currently thinking about reorganisation.
Want to hear what our experts had to say?
We've made the full Local Government Reorganisation Insights Report available to download for free.
If you're involved in preparing your authority for LGR, the report provides an opportunity to hear directly from people who have already navigated major reorganisation, and those preparing to do it again.
Download the report to explore the full conversation, hear the lessons from previous LGR programmes and discover the six key decisions our contributors believe could shape the future of Revenues.
Shaping the Future of Revenues
This is the first in a series of eight Shaping the Future of Revenues roundtables hosted by Dukes.
Over the next two years, we'll be bringing together leaders, practitioners, policy experts and sector specialists to have open conversations about the issues shaping the future of Revenues services.
Future discussions will explore topics including vulnerability and financial hardship, workforce and skills, innovation in service delivery, automation and the digital workforce, and the future shape of Revenues services.
Interested in being part of the next conversation?
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