Local Government Reorganisation: Governance & Planning
A dedicated hub from Coalface Insights
Examining how governance, planning behaviour and political conditions shape outcomes in reorganised councils
Where would you like to begin?
Sign up to receive exclusive case sudies, 100 Day Playbook, and more
Or scroll down to read more about the LGR Series
WELCOME
Welcome to our hub for research of local government reorganisation.
Welcome to our hub for research on local government reorganisation. Developed by COALFACE Insights, this series shares articles, factsheets, and council profiles drawn from the COALFACE Council Scanner™.
​
Scroll down for an introduction from the Editor and to explore key facts and context. To ensure you don't miss future insights, subscribe for updates using the link below.
LATEST UPDATES
Content on this site is regularly added to.
-
Open Letter to Councillors (4/12)
-
​Updates to 'Lessons' & "Reasons' pages (2/12)
-
LGR Hub goes Live (1/12/25)
-
Facts, Reasons and Warning pages updated (30/11/25)
-
Editor's Letter Published (30/11/25)​​
LATEST ARTICLES
New analysis is added throughout the programme
SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES
To receive each article as soon as it is released, and to access extended notes and case material.
​​
​
​
The material published here forms part of the LGR Governance Series, an independent insight project designed to help senior officers, councillors, advisers and promoters understand what reorganisation means in practice. Articles draw on case studies, council reporting and early lessons from authorities that have already gone through reform.
EDITOR'S LETTER
A golden opportunity for meaningful change or poison pill for governance, public trust & planning?​
​
The reforms cut across governance, finance, digital systems, service integration and political leadership. They will influence how place-shaping priorities are set, how statutory services interact, and how capacity is deployed across everything from planning and regeneration to infrastructure delivery and democratic oversight. In practice, LGR will determine how quickly and confidently councils can make decisions that affect the entire development cycle.
Read the Editor's letter in full
First published November 2025. Updated periodically as the Series expands.
WHAT THIS SERIES COVERS
Lessons & Context
Why has the government chosen to undertake LGR now. What recent reorganisations have taught us, so we can learn for the future.
This article is part of the LGR Governance Series from Coalface. To receive new pieces and supporting material as they are published, subscribe using the button on the right.
If you would like to discuss how these issues affect your organisation, we work with promoters, councils and programme sponsors on specific schemes and wider governance programmes. Please get in touch to talk through what you are working on.