A section dedicated to upcoming events listings and past webinar summaries and recordings.
Webinars
The LGA is holding a series of webinars and roundtables, inviting councils who have previously undergone local government reorganisation to reflect on their experience and bringing colleagues together to share experiences and challenges. These events give the opportunity for councils undergoing LGR to learn from others across the sector.
We continue to work with sector partners to coordinate on a future programme of webinars and roundtables on key topics related to LGR and devolution. To propose a theme, contact [email protected].
For previous event summaries, please visit our resources page.
Upcoming events:
This webinar will introduce Local Partnerships’ updated LGR PMO Toolkit and will focus on practical, operational questions about setting up and running a Programme Management Office for Local Government Reorganisation, featuring local authority speakers. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance to help shape a Q&A‑led discussion drawing on real LGR experience.
Planning and delivering Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is a major undertaking. Clear implementation planning, strong programme structures and well-designed Programme Management Offices (PMO) support councils to transition safely, legally and effectively into new unitary arrangements.
This virtual event will provide an opportunity to explore practical approaches to LGR implementation planning, including how to develop an implementation plan, what to prioritise now, and which activities are best left to post-vesting and transition phases. We will also discuss how councils can balance LGR planning alongside business-as-usual delivery.
The session will also look in depth at the role of PMOs during LGR. Topics will include programme structure and workstream design, and resourcing models. We will explore how PMOs link into LGR governance structures and how to enable effective collaboration across multiple councils.
The session will hear from LGR-experienced councils and include time for questions.
This virtual event will give councillors in districts, boroughs and counties approaching Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) an honest and practical insight into what it means to serve as a unitary councillor. Drawing on the experiences of those who have already been through LGR, the session will explore how the role and remit of being a district or county councillor compare with serving in a unitary authority. There will be a particular focus on maintaining strong community engagement and a local focus across larger wards and wider geographical footprints.
The session will hear from LGR-experienced councils and include time for questions.
This virtual event is part of our Improvement Sector Support Programme funded by the UK Government.
Local Government Reorganisation can have significant implications for council housing, including governance, service design, HRAs, finance, delivery arrangements and maintaining pipeline momentum through transition.
This virtual event will draw on lessons from councils with direct LGR experience to explore the practical implications of aggregation and disaggregation for housing and related services. The session will also include insight from LGA’s Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS) to help councils think through the issues they may need to consider early to protect their capacity to deliver social and affordable homes, manage risk and support longer-term housebuilding ambitions through reorganisation.
The session will hear from LGR-experienced councils and include time for questions.
Registration will open soon. Watch this space!
Past LGA events
View presentation slides, video recordings, and summaries from previous events.
2026
This session explored the procurement challenges arising from LGR, including aligning disparate processes, managing legacy contracts, and ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. Speakers discussed the importance of early planning, robust governance, data consolidation, and effective supplier engagement to support smooth transition, continuity of services, and long-term commercial benefits.
Discover the LGR Toolkit designed to support councils through reorganisation. This collaborative session provided a walkthrough of key tools and how to apply them in your context.
This LGR webinar explored key lessons from Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey. Pedro Wrobel, Joint Chief Executive of Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils, shared practical insights from their role as a Surrey pathfinder, offering an overview of the accelerated timeline and the three phases of LGR from initial programme setup to transition and future planning.
He reflected on the challenges and opportunities of reform, stressing the value of transparent communication, staff support, cultural alignment, and making use of external expertise. His overarching advice: ask questions early, stay adaptable, and build strong relationships to navigate uncertainty effectively.
The session introduced participants to concrete tools and resources that they can use in their data programme through LGR. Participants heard first from Keith Macdonald, a senior product designer at Local Digital/MHCLG, who spoke about the upcoming LGR Digital Playbook and provided advice about data collaboration. Following this, Joran Mendel, a senior director and data analyst at Local Partnerships (LP), provided an update on the data collection templates that have been produced by LP following their work on data with the district and borough councils in Surrey.
Data is the backbone of successful reorganisation. This session focuses on gathering data once and gathering it well. We’ll share Local Partnerships’ templates for information requests, explain what 'good enough' looks like and highlight common pitfalls to avoid during change.
Run in partnership with Local Partnerships, this series of webinars on data will help councils navigate LGR with practical insights, proven tools and peer-to-peer learning.
Speakers
- Joran Mendel, Senior Director, Local Partnerships
- Lily Von Geyer, Data Analyst, Local Partnerships.
This joint session from DCN and the Local Government Association will focus on the experience of senior leaders in unitary councils about how to deliver successful Children’s Services. It will feature contributions from the chief executive of a long-established unitary council and senior officers from recently created unitary councils in Cumbria about navigating the complexity of LGR. We will look at how creating new unitary councils can be an opportunity to redesign and enhance Children’s Services. We will also look at key policy developments on the horizon. This session will be valuable for any district officers and councillors engaged in developing social care and children’s services during the transition to unitary councils or who are interested in working in or representing children’s services in new councils after vesting day.
Speakers:
- David Sidaway, Chief Executive of Telford and Wrekin Council
- Andrew Seekings, Chief Executive of Cumberland Council
- Milorad Vasic, Director of Children’s Services at Westmorland and Furness Council
- Gail Tolley, Director of Children’s Services Sector-Led Improvement at the Local Government Association.
Presentation slides (PDF).
Watch the recording (Youtube).
This virtual event was an opportunity to hear about Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and the wide range of financial considerations that need to be addressed. It considered a range of issues around finance transition plans, to help councils remain financially resilient, deliver robust accounts, and continue to provide quality services. The session featured a discussion about preparatory activities that councils can be doing between submitting an LGR proposal and receiving a final decision, as well as two expert presentations and time for questions.
This session is aimed at councillors and senior officers.
Councils going through LGR need to work together on data now, even when the future structure isn’t clear. This webinar showed how to take 'no regrets' actions such as building a shared view of data. It featured a unique perspective from the frontline as we were joined by Pedro Wrobel, Chief Executive of Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council.
Run in partnership with Local Partnerships, this series of webinars on data will help councils navigate LGR with practical insights, proven tools and peer-to-peer learning.
Speakers:
- Pedro Wrobel, Chief Executive, Guildford Borough Council & Waverley Borough Council
- Simon Bandy, Senior Strategy Director, Local Partnerships.
2025
Local government reorganisation can create opportunities to make best use of assets for the benefit of all residents in an area. This includes considering whether to consolidate services, reduce overheads, and share resources; redevelop under-utilised property to support the ambitions of your new council; or working with other local partners on joined-up property solutions and revenue generation.
In this webinar, you will hear from speakers who have been through the LGR process to understand what work you can be carrying out between proposal submission and decisions, and how this can support your residents as you transition to a new council.
Watch the webinar recording (YouTube).
Presentation slides - Mike Harries, One Public Estate, LGA (PowerPoint).
Presentation slides - Simon Bowers, West Northamptonshire Council (PowerPoint).
As the council landscape and digital infrastructure reshapes, identity becomes the frontline of cyber defence. This webinar explores how to secure access across complex, multi-tenant environments, implement robust identity governance, and adopt Zero Trust principles during reorganisation. Learn practical strategies for managing new starter-mover-leaver processes, preventing credential-based attacks, and ensuring seamless yet secure user experiences.
This is a webinar series for digital and technology professionals in councils involved in delivering LGR.
Watch the webinar recording (YouTube).
On 26 November 2025, the Local Government Association held a master class on ‘Navigating financial uncertainty’. The session aimed to provide Members and officers with practical advice, guidance, and tools that could support financial resilience.
Managing, protecting and governing data is a necessity in councils and ensuring compliance during the transition to a unitary council is critical to maintaining public trust. In this session, we explored the practical steps councils can take to secure their data estate, meet regulatory obligations, and build resilience for the future. We covered everything from planning and governance to risk mitigation and continuous compliance.
Watch the recording (YouTube).
The Government has set out its ambition to 'complete the devolution map', introducing devolution by default so that all councils are part of strategic authorities.
For those councils in the Devolution Priority Programme, strategic authorities will launch in May 2026, offering local areas the opportunity to work together and take advantage of additional devolved powers to deliver better outcomes for residents.
This virtual event is part of our Improvement Sector Support Programme funded by the UK Government and is a chance to learn more about how to work effectively as a strategic authority, considering the views of both an existing combined authority and constituent councils.
Discover how to strengthen your council’s cyber security posture in the face of local government reorganisation and multi-tenancy. This webinar covers the latest threats, practical strategies for securing complex environments, and how to leverage modern tools to protect against evolving cyber risks.
This is a webinar series for digital and technology professionals in councils involved in delivering LGR.
Watch the recording (YouTube).
As councils navigate the complexities of Local Government Reorganisation, migrating tenants securely and efficiently is critical. This session shares practical insights from real-world experiences. Join us to learn proven strategies, avoid common pitfalls, and build a resilient foundation for your council’s digital future.
Watch the recording (YouTube).
Read the questions and answers.
This session offered practical guidance for councils navigating LGR, focusing on the crucial period between submission and decision. There was particular emphasis on Programme Management Office (PMO) setup and data collection and analysis.
Watch the webinar recording (Local Partnerships website).
Webinar slides (PDF).
This session considered practical issues around how to set up transitional leadership teams, including issues around governance, the composition of teams, and how to balance work on transition with business as usual. We also looked at shadow authorities – how these are set up, how they work and key issues to consider as you move closer to the transition.
Watch the webinar recording (YouTube).
Please note: Unfortunately, the sound quality was impacted from around 00:08:00. A transcript of the session is available.
LGR: Governance through transition, Dr Justin Ives (PPT presentation).
Setting up and leading the North Northamptonshire shadow authority, Liz Elliot (PPT presentation).
This session considered how to support the resilience of your workforce and how to lead and manage change effectively. It also considered issues around recruitment, retention and employee engagement.
Watch the webinar recording (YouTube).
This session looked at key issues councils need to be thinking about as they move into the next phase of local government reorganisation, including how to keep the best interests of children and vulnerable adults at the heart of those discussions. The session focused on key themes and strategy, rather than the detailed delivery of these services, enabling attendees to consider social services in the wider context of LGR.
Watch the webinar recording (YouTube).
In May 2025, local elections took place across 14 county councils, 8 unitary councils, one metropolitan borough, the Isles of Scilly and several mayoral geographies. These elections were delivered against the backdrop of the English Devolution White Paper, which set out the Government’s expectations for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). For new and returning members, many will be affected by LGR and will need to explore the concept and the potential impacts of the process for their local area.
This session provided an opportunity for new and returning councillors to hear about the LGR process. The session will also be relevant for existing or returning councillors.
It featured speakers reflecting on their role as elected members going through the process, along with explainers on key elements, concepts and timelines involved in LGR.
Watch the webinar recording (YouTube).
LGR for new councillors (ppt presentation).
LGA LGR in Somerset Cllr Leyshon July 2025 (ppt presentation).
This summary captures the considerations for cyber, digital, data and technology during Local Government Reorganisation.
Watch the webinar recording (YouTube).
In this session, a senior elected member who has previously been involved in local government reorganisation reflected on their role as elected members in a leading role with a focus on key activities around the business case development and implementation.
Watch the recording (YouTube).
Video transcript (word doc).
One Somerset business case (pdf doc).
Somerset County Council (ppt presentation).
In this joint webinar with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, we updated on our support offer available and MHCLG set out next steps following submission, process for issuing feedback and introduced the delivery team.
In this webinar, officers with LGR experience reflected on the themes of financial planning, costs, efficiencies and transformation.
This summary captures the critical elements of Buckinghamshire and Somerset’s experience challenges, strategies, and outcomes related to local government reorganisation transitioning to a unitary authority.
In this webinar, officers shared learning around engagement with communities, members, staff and stakeholders during and following local government reorganisation.