Insights

Foundations for the Future: Rationalise, Reset and Realise the Value of your Assets through LGR

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...
March 19, 2026
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Kathy Freeman is currently the Strategic Director of Resources and S151 officer for Havering Council, an outer London Borough with significant financial challenges, resulting from an outdated funding formula that has failed to keep pace with the Borough’s fast-changing demographic profile. Kathy is supporting the Council to achieve medium-term financial sustainability, leading on discussions with…

April 7, 2025

At 31ten, we have helped our clients to understand the true costs of end-to-end digital transactions, customer demand and service fulfilment, enabling more efficient and effective service delivery, insight to prioritise investment where it is most needed, and a better experience for customers. The problem How much does a telephone call cost compared to an…

March 18, 2025

Paul Clarke started his career as a 16-year-old apprentice at Blackpool Council, spending a total of 14 years there. Paul was Deputy Section 151, leading on the insourcing of the Finance team in Barnet. Now at Islington, where he has been for the past four years, Paul is the Director of Finance. Paul’s passions lay…

March 17, 2025

Taryn Eves is the Director of Finance at the London Borough of Haringey. She has just over 25 years of experience in Local Government, across Bexley, Kensington and Chelsea, West Sussex and now Haringey. Although Director of Finance now, Taryn has held a diverse range of corporate roles over the years, including corporate policy and…

March 10, 2025

Rikin Tailor has spent almost two decades working in local government finance and is currently Director of Finance (deputy s151 officer) at Westminster City Council. Rikin started his career at the London Borough of Haringey, before joining the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Having previously worked in senior roles including Head of Corporate Finance…

March 6, 2025

Local Government Reform offers a vast number of opportunities for Children’s Services, but success will be dependent on strong partnerships and honest conversations from the outset…

February 27, 2025

Although most New Year’s Resolutions are unlikely to make it past February, the new financial year brings about the opportunity for local authorities to commit to changes much longer term.

February 24, 2025

Emma Riding is currently the Service Director – Financial Management (Deputy S151 Officer) at Peterborough City Council where she has been instrumental in the council’s financial improvement journey and implemented a refreshed approach to financial management. Emma has a passion for Local government finance, with extensive knowledge and hands-on experience of the challenges being faced…

February 19, 2025

The launch of the English Devolution White Paper today heralds a shake-up of local government in England which could have far-reaching implications for social care, potentially reshaping how care is delivered and funded across the country. Under the new plans, district councils may be eliminated in favour of unitary authorities, alongside more elected mayors given…

December 16, 2024