The new government has signalled its intent to drive changes across the public service landscape, many of which had already been identified by local leaders across the country. Our report is a practical guide for decision-makers and practitioners working across local systems as we step into what feels like a new era. The key findings of the report include:

• Devolution and Local Decision-Making: the importance of “filling in the rest of the devolution map” and empowering local places to take decisive action for growth – the government has outlined its commitment to devolving more power to local areas.
• Funding Reform: the criticality of more sustainable and long-term funding solutions across the system – “aligning funding settlements across public service partners could nurture greater partnership working”.
• Place-Based Approaches: place-based strategies across partners for local growth and investment is about “more than simply engaging with communities around place” and should focus on “encouraging and supporting community empowerment”.
• Digital Transformation: emerging technologies, particularly rapid developments in artificial intelligence, should “enhance the humanity” of how services are delivered to free up staff capacity and time to focus on relational work.
• Partnership and Collaboration: inclusive growth and investment will be driven by “partnering across places with the private sector to foster innovation … councils and other local actors must work in partnership” to meet the ambitious targets set for growth, planning reform and building new homes.
• Prevention: earlier intervention and prevention is fundamental to reducing long-term costs and improving outcomes – “prevention needs to be seen through the lens of place” and places need to harness the “social infrastructure available to support communities and build resilience.”
• Culture, Leadership, and Workforce: developing collaborative cultures and leadership skills to work effectively across organisations is key to breaking down silos – “building relationships and trust will help transcend organisational and professional boundaries”.