Local Government

As Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) accelerates across England, councils face the challenge of delivering significant structural change while continuing to support economic growth and investment. But how can leaders ensure growth remains a priority when organisational transformation demands so much attention? First-hand insights of LGR Drawing on insights from a recent senior leaders' virtual roundtable...

By Siena Caridi-Ross, Consultant, 31ten Consulting When we commission services, we talk about people constantly. We meet with stakeholders, gather opinions, design specifications, and engage suppliers. But if these services exist to support residents, why are residents so rarely part of the process?  In this blog, written by 31ten’s Consultant Siena Caridi-Ross, we delve into...

With the news, and indeed Downing Street abuzz, with talk of a potential No.10 office in Manchester, at 31ten, we are thinking ahead to what this could mean for devolution.   Greater Manchester has been one of devolution’s great success stories.  Arguably, a non-London centric No.10 outpost would be better placed in an ‘up-and-coming’ combined authority, rather than the mature combined authority that is Greater Manchester. However, the proposed...

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is often discussed in structural terms; which councils merge, what the new boundaries look like, how services will be configured. But behind every reorganisation decision is a group of leaders facing the far more personal challenge of guiding their people through deep uncertainty, while managing their own. In this blog our...

And what we can learn from Families First With significant changes to the SEND system planned nationally, local authorities are in the process of finalising and submitting reform plans that outline how they will transform locally.  At our recent webinar, Support with the 2026 SEND Reforms, together with our co-hosts, Mime- data specialists for local government, we brought together local government leaders and officers with responsibility...

A new policy for fairness The Government’s reintroduction of a 10‑year rent convergence mechanism marks a significant moment for councils with social rent stock. While convergence policy has existed previously, the new framework creates refreshed opportunity and complex decisions for social landlords. The new policy aims to ensure fairness in the rents charged; at present...

As councils prepare for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), attention is increasingly shifting from organisational structures to the practical foundations of the new authorities being created. Crucially this includes the combined public estate - a diverse mix of assets spanning — operational estate (offices, depots, schools), community assets, income-generating assets, infrastructure and specialist facilities such as waste, transport and crematoria.  Land and buildings are...

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) presents a rare and time-bound opportunity: a chance to reset, to clarify, and to hand over to new unitaries not a legacy of ambiguity, but a platform for confident delivery. This is a golden opportunity for councils to lay the groundwork for long-term success, even before final decisions on area footprints are confirmed.  Rationalise, Reset and...

LGR offers once-in-a-generation digital opportunities, but tackling the risks is crucial Local government reorganisation is often framed in structural terms. Which councils combine, which boundaries change, who leads the new authorities, what the constitution looks like. All important. But if you want new organisations to feel coherent to residents and staff, the conversation quickly becomes...

Following the recent SEND White Paper publication, 31ten is delighted to announce a new partnership with Mime, bringing together our combined expertise to support local authorities, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), and schools as they prepare for and then implement the SEND reforms. The upcoming reforms represent a major opportunity to strengthen local SEND systems, improve outcomes...