The UK has often been considered one of the most centralised in terms of power, with the central government having significant control over local areas, primarily through funding and decision-making mechanisms. However, significant reforms are in motion to decentralise power, provide local areas with more control, and foster economic growth by enabling better decision-making at a local level.
The proposed changes will include the formation of combined authorities across all regions within England, building on those already in place. The changes will also see the creation of larger unitary authorities and the abolition of the two-tier local government structure areas across the country. These two-tier systems include county councils and district councils, each responsible for different local services in the same areas. This can often create unnecessary complexity for citizens who struggle to navigate the division of responsibilities – causing confusion, fragmentation, and inefficiencies.
With the reform expected to be the biggest reorganisation of local government in England in more than 50 years, it is important to consider the impacts both in the short- and long-term and the role technology has to play in supporting this migration. This includes, assessing how technology suppliers need to support local government through what will be a difficult period of transition.
The impact of reorganisation
The move to unitary authorities is set to have a profound impact on local government – presenting both benefits and challenges along the way. For example, the number of councils involved in the reorganisation can make integration particularly challenging. This can also introduce lengthy and costly processes that are complicated to manage.
Critics may also argue that larger councils may become less responsive to local needs as a result of the restructure, as they may lack the intimacy and understanding of local issues that smaller councils can offer. On the other hand, there is the belief that bigger councils will be better equipped to plan and deliver services on a wider scale and leverage resources more effectively. The real test will be whether these new authorities can strike the right balance between scale and local connection.
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Preparing for the transition
Local authorities must begin preparing for the transition to unitary authorities by considering several key factors:
- Governance and organisational change: The merger of multiple authorities into a single unitary body will require careful organisational planning. There will be a need for new leadership, policies, and processes to align the different services and governance structures that currently exist.
- Technology and systems: One of the most critical elements in supporting the reorganisation is technology. Many councils still rely on legacy, often siloed, systems, and integrating these technologies into a single cohesive architecture will be vital for efficiency. Councils must adopt flexible, scalable, and integrated platforms that can connect data silos and facilitate the smooth delivery of services across the new authorities.
Cumberland Council’s story is a great example of a unitary authority that has already followed this approach. Back in 2023, two new unitaries were created, replacing the former Cumbria County Council and the six districts. To facilitate the transition, the council scaled its existing use of a platform-based low-code, and omnichannel contact centre solution to develop over 100 digital services – including waste collection, social care applications and customer service – that would unify and connect the different councils’ IT systems. By doing so, a streamlined and consistent experience has been created for both citizens and council workers.
- Data and process integration: Councils will also need to align their data and processes to avoid disruptions in service delivery and business-as-usual tasks. The transition to unitary authorities will likely involve combining systems such as revenue and benefits, housing, and social care solutions. This is a significant challenge, as each authority involved in the merger may use different software solutions, making it crucial to select systems that are flexible and can easily integrate, working alongside and streamline these processes.
- Partnerships with technology vendors: To ensure that the reorganisation runs smoothly, councils should partner with technology vendors who have a proven track record of supporting local government. These vendors should offer collaborative, flexible, and transparent solutions – and ways of working – that can scale with the evolving needs of local authorities. The ability to make rapid adjustments to new structures is essential for success, and local authorities will benefit from suppliers that understand the complexities of their operations.
Local government reorganisation in England promises to bring more local control and streamline service delivery. However, the transition will require careful planning and significant investment in technology and governance structures to be successful. Councils must start preparing now to ensure they are in a position to harness the opportunities that these reforms present.
By leveraging flexible, integrated technology solutions and learning from regions that have already gone through the process, local authorities can improve their service delivery and ensure that the reorganisation is ultimately beneficial for citizens. The key to success will lie in managing the complexity of these changes and ensuring that the right technology is deployed to enable more seamless and efficient local government operations.
