Don’t just reshuffle the deck but deal me in - Local Government Reorganisation

Guest blog by Emily Douglin, Executive Director – Local Government at Civica #LocalGovTransformation

Emily Douglin

Executive Director, Local Government, Civica

Let’s be honest: the phrase Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) doesn’t always create that spark of excitement. It can conjure images of boundary changes, budget wrangling and complex governance negotiations. Not exactly a Penn and Teller Vegas floor show.

But what if we reframed it? What if we choose to see LGR not as a bureaucratic hand of poker, but as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine how we serve our communities? What if we choose to change the game?

We work with hundreds of councils across the UK, and I am seeing a clear pattern: the most successful reorganisations are going to be those that treat digital transformation as the foundation, not the afterthought. Because when you’re redesigning structures, services and systems, why not also redesign the citizen experience?

From structural change to service innovation

We all know that reorganisation is often driven by the need for efficiency, resilience and sustainability. But the real winning hand here must lay in the potential to deliver better outcomes for citizens. That means moving beyond the mechanics of merging authorities and towards a shared vision for modern, digital-first public services.

In our recent “Future of Local Government” report, 51% of councils told us that modernising outdated systems is their top digital priority. That’s no surprise. Many authorities still rely on legacy platforms that are expensive to maintain and difficult to integrate. When councils come together, these systems can become a barrier to collaboration - or they can be an opportunity to think differently.

We’ve seen forward-thinking councils use LGR as a catalyst to:

Consolidate fragmented technology estates into cloud-based platforms
Standardise data models to enable better insight driven decision-making
Automate routine processes to free up staff time, and to use that time to make a difference to frontline services
Design services around citizens, not departments. Looking outwards and not inwards

This isn’t just about technology. It’s about culture, leadership and ambition.

Now it can’t be just me that finds that exciting.

The digital dividend of devolution

Devolution is the future across England, with new combined authorities and county deals reshaping the local landscape. But with greater powers come greater expectations – from Whitehall, from local leaders, and most importantly, from citizens.

Residents don’t care which tier of government delivers their bin collection or housing support. They care that it’s easy to access, responsive and joined up. That’s why digital maturity is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s a prerequisite for effective devolution.

LGR gives councils a rare chance to align digital strategies across boundaries. To pool resources, share platforms and co-design services that reflect the real journeys people take through public services. It’s a chance to build what we call 360 services—where data flows seamlessly between teams, and citizens who don’t have to repeat themselves at every turn.

Lessons from the frontline

We’ve worked with councils navigating LGR and can see what is working and what is stalling. I think that these three lessons in particular will resonate with every local authority:

Start with data, not systems. Before you invest in new tech, get your data house in order. Understand what you have, where it lives and how it can be shared safely and ethically. Data is the glue that holds reorganisation together.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Transformation doesn’t need to wait until the ink is dry on a new governance model. In fact, the transition period is often the best time to pilot new approaches, test assumptions and build momentum.
Put people at the centre. Whether it’s staff adapting to new roles or residents navigating new service structures, change is hard. Invest in digital skills, change management and clear communication. Technology should empower people, not overwhelm them.

A platform for the future

At Civica, we believe that the future of local government is platform-based, data-driven and citizen-centric. That’s why we’re investing in smart software that helps councils build modular, interoperable systems that evolve with their needs, leverage predictive analytics to anticipate demand and target support and finally deliver personalised digital experiences that reflect the diversity of their communities.

But technology alone isn’t enough. We need bold leadership, cross-sector collaboration and a shared commitment to public value.

The time is now

LGR is not just a structural exercise – it’s a strategic opportunity. A chance to break free from the constraints of legacy systems and siloed thinking. A chance to design local government not for the past, but for the future.

So, let’s be ambitious. Let’s use this moment to build councils that are not only more efficient, but more empathetic. Not only more streamlined, but more responsive. Councils that don’t just do digital, but are digital—by design, by default, and by desire.

Because, in the end, reorganisation isn’t about lines on a map. It’s about lives in our communities. And they deserve the very best we can offer.

techUK’s future of local government campaign

techUK has launched its future of local government campaign, showcasing how digital innovation can strengthen local services and support thriving communities. The campaign highlights member insights, practical examples, and opportunities to collaborate on modern, citizen-focused delivery across councils.

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