Insights & Analysis brings together expert perspectives on local government reorganisation, planning policy, and democratic governance. Browse articles below.
This article by COALFACE explains that for Planning Applications, the critical period is not vesting day itself, but the long run up to it. That is where political behaviour shifts, organisational capacity stretches and decision making becomes most exposed.
Too often, residents only become aware of consultations once proposals are already well formed. If this process is to be meaningful, awareness needs to spread quickly and clearly, while there is still time to shape outcomes rather than react to them.
The piece welcomes the launch of the Future Surrey website and argues that clear, consistent, highly visible communication about reorganisation is essential as Surrey approaches LGR elections. It urges district and borough leaders to stop promoting “legacy” councils, align around shared Future Surrey messaging across all channels, and make information about changes and elections impossible to miss so residents understand what is happening, turn out to vote, and give new authorities strong, legitimate mandates.
Surrey will be judged nationally on whether these new authorities demonstrate that Local Government Reorganisation can strengthen decision making and public trust, rather than dilute it. The Order sets the framework. The outcome will be determined by how seriously its implications are taken over the next 18 months.
Local Government Reorganisation has shifted English local government from localism towards sub regional governance. Councils are larger, executives more powerful and decisions more strategic. The question we ask is: is the voting system used to elect Councillors fit for purpose in 2026?
The upcoming local government reorganisation will replace two-tier councils with new unitary authorities between 2025 and 2028 to simplify governance, improve services, and streamline local decision-making.
An interview with Robert Moran, Chief Executive, Elmbridge (2007-2022). Local Government Reorganisation is often framed as a structural exercise: boundaries change, councils merge and committees are reshaped. But reorganisation only improves outcomes when it is treated as a test of leadership and when lines of authority are set early, clearly and enforced consistently.
Kelly’s perspective sits alongside the operational concerns raised by senior officers and the strategic ambitions articulated by council leaders. But his focus is different. He concentrates on the human mechanics of representation and accountability, and on what happens when scale increases faster than democratic capacity.
A comprehensive guide to the critical first 100 days following vesting day, outlining key priorities, common pitfalls, and strategies for successful establishment of new unitary authorities.