With an aim of delivering ‘simpler, more sustainable local government structures, alongside a transfer of power out of Westminster through devolution’, the government has formally invited proposals for local government reorganisation from all two-tier and small neighbouring unitary authorities in England.

Delivering this ambitious agenda will be complex, time-consuming and challenging as local authorities continue to deliver services against a backdrop of financial sustainability and workforce pressures.

So what are the benefits and risks of moving from two-tier to unitary local government? What does past experience teach us about how to successfully reorganise local government? What level of support from the government is needed to aid areas undergoing change? And how might reorganisation help to achieve the government’s devolution ambitions?

To answer these questions and more, this IfG event brought together an expert panel, including:

Eve Roodhouse, Director of Strategy and Policy at the Local Government Association

Becky Shaw, Chief Executive of East Sussex County Council

Adrian Smith, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire County Council

Phillip Woolley, Partner, Head of Public Sector Consulting at Grant Thornton UK LLP

The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Fright, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government.

We would like to thank Grant Thornton UK LLP for kindly supporting this event.