Commentary | Local Government Reorganisation: Practical Engagement that builds Confidence

Successful reorganisation begins with clarity about the statutory process. Outlining the consultation, approvals, and order-making stages in a public roadmap, with named owners and deadlines, helps partners and residents understand what happens when. Early transparency reduces uncertainty and keeps the process on track. In democratic methods, consultation is a better tool than a referendum for complex, interdependent changes. Structural reform involves choices around governance, finance, and service design that benefit from detailed evidence rather than a simple vote. Explaining this clearly and showing how evidence influences decisions strengthens legitimacy.

Since calls for a referendum are likely, it is wise to address them early. Establishing a clear criterion for how consultation results will influence options and the final proposal shows that participation is important. When people see how their input impacts outcomes, their confidence increases. Dividing the discussion into themes makes engagement more accessible and informative. Asking for views separately on governance, finances, services, and place-based impacts encourages focused feedback and prevents an all-or-nothing approach. This results in feedback that is simpler to analyse and implement. Greater scrutiny should be anticipated and welcomed. Publishing the evidence base, the options considered, and the criteria for selecting a preferred model demonstrates that decisions are reasoned and proportionate. Transparency at this stage reduces future challenges and facilitates a smoother statutory process. Analysing responses by locality and by protected characteristics adds depth. Recognising that different places and groups may experience change differently, and explaining how those patterns influence adjustments, enhances both fairness and credibility of the plan.

Every consultation covers topics that draw disproportionate attention. A balanced approach allows space for these issues while ensuring the broader set of concerns is not ignored. Using diverse channels and revisiting the entire range of themes helps keep perspective. Accessible materials are the best remedy for low engagement. Short explainers, clear diagrams, and local examples assist residents in understanding what changes occur in their area. When people see practical effects on services and places they know, participation increases and feedback improves.

Coordination with partners is crucial when multiple councils or agencies are involved. Shared FAQs, aligned messages, and consistent lines of communication reduce confusion and present a clear, unified account of what is proposed and why. Such consistency fosters trust. Being transparent about trade-offs is part of treating residents as partners. When powers, funding, or structures change, clearly outlining what improves, what stays the same, and what mitigations are planned helps others evaluate the proposal fairly. Clearly articulating the pros and cons encourages constructive dialogue. A visible ‘you said, we did’ approach closes the feedback loop. Documenting how consultations influence revisions, and how those changes are reflected in the statutory instrument stage, demonstrates that engagement is meaningful. This practice of explanation enhances accountability.

Finally, timing is crucial. With national policy indicating widespread availability of deals by 2030, aligning local schedules with that timeline helps maximise opportunities and prevents unnecessary friction. Integrating LGR within the broader reform framework ensures the work is paced and sequenced for success.

Download our checklist to support the development of your proposals.