Local Government Reorganisation Support Hub - How APSE can help

APSE Statement on the Government's LGR Review:

The recent announcement to pause and review local government reorganisation was a surprise to many but equally this may create a sense of relief as councils reported to APSE that they were concerned about the disruption to local services. The distinction between this process of LGR and previous reforms is the scale and timetable of the changes. Incremental change allows for managing change, including through professional appointments within the new Unitary authorities to manage services such as social care. Widescale change across many areas clearly raises the prospect of inter-authority competition for critical posts alongside the disruption when the sector has been charged with reforming housing, planning, SEND provision and social care against a fiscally challenging environment.  

The very many projects that were paused or mothballed in the belief that they would be resurrected post-reorganisation must now be picked back up and dusted off. The financial landscape remains challenging and it appears from the recent announcement (with local elections going ahead in May 2027) that any further reforms to structures will be a longtime coming unless there is a local willingness to move forward with local proposals; this means pressure to deliver efficient and effective services remains.

APSE stands ready to support its councils with transformation projects and to ensure that they are also best placed to support devolution, with fit for purpose local services, data and analysis of performance and a cohort of expert APSE Associates to support project reviews and implementation alongside training support and our highly regarded interim managers.

What is Local Government Reorganisation?

The English Devolution White Paper set out reform to local government including the development of strategic authorities, combined authorities and new forms of local councils, turning some ‘two tier’ areas of Counties and Districts into single tier ‘Unitary’ councils. The new councils will carry out the same functions as other existing Unitary merging the services that are otherwise carried out by different tiers of local councils.

How can APSE help?

APSE has decades of  experience in local government. We work across councils from corporate management teams to frontline services. Local government reorganisation will mean merging services from different councils. APSE has the experience of its own team and our valued and ethical associates.

What type of support can we provide?

With councils merging services, there will be a need to review property and asset bases, look at depot rationalisation or repurposing sites, and ensure services are fit for purpose and are run with optimal efficiency. This may mean reviewing the deployment of streetscene services, waste collection route optimisation, consolidating recycling services, reviewing your leisure provision, and even services such as cemetery and crematorium services.

LGR Support Networks

APSE’s team of Principal Advisors run regular service-specific online networks in which local government reform is a prominent topic of discussion. Any APSE member council can attend these networks free of charge to hear from expert speakers, learn from others and share concerns, challenges and solutions. Click here to join any of our networks or sign up for our service-specific WhatsApp Groups. 

LGR Service Review Support

Our experienced team in APSE Solutions are able to offer an onsite ‘diagnostic workshop’ for frontline services. These 6 hour sessions comprise  a strategic session to help your service area prepare for change, a high-level diagnostic approach to draw out the core issues for services including delivery models, assets, and workforce issues as well as geographic and delivery dynamics. After the onsite session your council will receive a short form report identifying areas for further deep dives and discovery and outline further support with an options appraisal.

For more information, visit the Solutions Hub or contact the team on [email protected] 

LGR Data Support

The pressure on council budgets and a need to improve performance will not abate with reorganisation; indeed, it may increase. Knowing your baseline performance will help you plan for improvement. APSE Performance Networks can run baseline data reports on frontline services as well as providing bespoke legacy reports – so you can set your baseline for your new authority. We can also provide a service specific associate to support you on options to improve productivity, cost and quality performance measures and support with ‘customer satisfaction reviews’ and ways to engage communities and residents in your improvement journey.  

For more information, visit the Performance Networks Hub or contact the team on [email protected] 

LGR Training Suite  

APSE Training is part of APSE’s not-for-profit organisation and delivers bespoke training to meet APSE member needs. Local government reorganisation will, by necessity, mean a shift in organisational culture, workforce structures and equal pay issues, culture change and project management. APSE Training's package of online and onsite courses for local councils can help your authority meet its needs.

For more information, visit the Training Hub or contact the team on [email protected] 

LGR and Climate Change

Councils are at different stages of their journey towards self-declared climate change targets. Merging councils will have to understand their individual emissions baseline prior to LGR and the baseline of the new council when it is established. Tracking this information is vital if targets are to be met. APSE Energy can collate relevant data and produce baseline reports, as well as using this data to populate a trajectory report to net zero for both existing authorities and the new one. This will identify potential and actual changes in progress as a result of climate change actions.

For more information, visit the Energy Hub or contact the team on [email protected] 

LGR and Energy

As part of LGR, there will be opportunities for councils to re-assess their energy use which will be a significant cost going forward. Having detailed records of meters, locations, readings and usage levels is fundamental to energy efficiency. Understanding the capacity of supplies, demand levels, contracts and tariffs will be important as councils come together. APSE Energy can support councils with energy management and efficiency.

Energy generation is an effective way of reducing reliance on suppliers and reducing energy costs and is one consideration when looking at estate investment and rationalisation, another fundamental element of LGR. APSE Energy can source expertise and advice across a range of technologies to support council’s in their decision making processes and efficiency measures.   

For more information, visit the Energy Hub or contact the team on [email protected]