The English devolution white paper, published in December 2024, sets out the government’s intended approach to dramatically reorganise local government in England and move to ‘devolution by default’ – one of the most significant changes to the local government landscape in over 50 years.

To move towards this future vision, the government has launched an ambitious Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme. This programme promises to simplify and streamline the local government landscape by by replacing all remaining ‘two-tier’ county and district councils with single tier ‘unitary’ authorities.

For local authority senior leadership teams, this presents a large, complex challenge, brimming with opportunities and risks. But what could this programme mean for local authorities? And how can they craft a proposal that not only meets the government’s expectations, but offers an opportunity for genuine transformational change and to enable a more integrated, place-based approach that can propel communities toward better, more resilient and more efficient futures?

The LGR opportunity

On 5 February 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon, invited councils in two-tier areas and small neighbouring unitary authorities to submit proposals for reorganisation. The LGR programme aims to unlock the power of local decision-making, devolution, and service transformation, all with a focus on improving service delivery, value for money, and economic growth. This proposal provides a chance to act proactively and demonstrate how places can contribute to and benefit from this change.

There is an opportunity to be innovative here and create the public services foundations for the next 50 years, ones that respond to the changing need and growth opportunities that places are seeing. Local government is being redefined, with Strategic and Principal Authorities set to replace current structures. This is a space where forward thinking places can define and design what this looks like and how all will work together. This requires a different way of approaching LGR, one that looks hard at the public service delivery models and strategy needed to tackle to root causes of issues and builds strong local authorities who work closely with strategic authorities and health to deliver better outcomes across growth and public services.

What’s at stake?

This programme goes beyond restructuring – it’s about making local government more responsive, efficient, and connected to the needs of the local community and economy. The government guidance prioritises six key areas—stronger leadership, improved service delivery, financial sustainability, strategic decision-making, local identity, and economic growth. We are pleased to see this more balanced approach to developing new unitaries, but there is a lot to consider. Each area’s proposal must show how it can align these priorities with the real needs of their residents.

Key steps to developing your proposal:

Local authorities need to develop a clear, compelling case that involves blending strategic clarity, evidence-based rationale, and a strong place-based vision.  A strong place-based vision is key, and submissions should set out a compelling place narrative that articulates the unique characteristics, strengths, identity and aspirations of the area and how the proposal will support economic growth, strengthen community engagement and improve service design and delivery.

Using our direct experience, here are some tips on how local authorities can craft a submission to elevate impact:

1. Single-tier governance – Defining what the Principal Authority is and how it works; streamline decision-making, reduce fragmentation, and align governance with the economic geography of your area. Show how the unitary authority can balance tax base distribution and address local housing needs, progress infrastructure planning, environmental sustainability and service delivery efficiency.
2. Improved outcomes & focus on prevention – Showcase how unitarisation improves service outcomes, especially in critical areas like SEND and social care, through genuinely place-led approaches designed for and with local people. Consider innovative models for service delivery that create efficiencies without sacrificing quality.
3. Growth and transformation opportunities – Demonstrate an innovative approach to efficiency led service rationalisation and transformation, especially in high-demand service areas like social care. This can align with a creative and strategic approach to asset management, identifying innovative opportunities to repurpose assets to address alternative objectives, streamline service delivery and relieve cost pressures—ultimately proposing future asset uses that support place-based regeneration and contribute to long-term social and economic outcomes.
4. Community engagement – Involve local stakeholders early and regularly to co-produce the proposal and test new service solutions, ensuring it reflects the true identity and needs of your community.  This will help build trust, shared ownership and gather feedback to ensure your proposal aligns with community values and aspirations.
5. Wider region and Devolution – Work alongside neighbouring councils and combined authorities to integrate your proposal with broader regional goals, especially in business growth, transport, skills development, and housing. Prove that the new unitary authority will enhance strategic decision-making while supporting local communities.
6. Capacity building –  Maximise this vital opportunity to develop a comprehensive people strategy to ensure the new system has the skills, talent and resilience it needs to deliver services innovatively and efficiently, address gaps in current capacity and future proof services.

What support can we offer?

The process might seem daunting, and it is certainly a significant undertaking, but we’re here to help. Together, 31ten and Metro Dynamics bring expert knowledge and LGR case-building experience that can help you develop a robust, evidence-based proposal. Whether it’s crafting your economic strategy, developing your evidence base, communicating your financial case, managing stakeholder engagement, or ensuring your proposal clearly addresses the criteria, we can offer support and guide you throughout the process.

Working in partnership, together our two organisations offer:

• Flexible capacity to work alongside your team, providing advice and hands-on support throughout the process.
• Deep understanding of how to develop place-based narratives for change that support inclusive growth for local communities.
• Technical expertise in service demand, financial and economic analysis, and community engagement to ensure your submission is grounded in reality.
• Integrity and objectivity in presenting an evidence-led case that will stand up to scrutiny.

A proven track record of handling high-profile, sensitive work with flexibility and professionalism. Working together, you can expect from us the highest levels of integrity and credibility, combined with our deep knowledge of how your specific place system works and therefore what unitary solutions will be genuinely viable. We blend economics, politics, service delivery and finances to provide objective and evidence-led advice.

Contact Rahul today to discuss how we can help your council make the most of this opportunity: rahul.rana@31tenconsulting.co.uk​