Keeping It Local
Ben Cox reflects on the recent LCN Conference and current local government reorganisation plans.
Having recently attended the DCN, now the Local Councils Network (LCN), conference, I was struck by the overwhelmingly constructive tone of the discussions, despite the significant uncertainty and pressure created by the ongoing local government reorganisation. The conference, one of the best attended DCN events to date, brought together leaders who, while holding differing views on structural reform, shared a clear commitment to ensuring the best possible outcomes for their communities.
There is no denying that tensions remain. Relationships between county councils and district and borough councils are strained to varying degrees across different regions, and opinions continue to differ on the appropriate shape of future unitary arrangements whether one, two, three, four, or even five authorities best serve local needs. These debates, coupled with the demands placed on capacity and focus, are challenging at a time when councils are already under significant pressure.
Yet what was most encouraging was the collective realism and resolve in the room. There was a widespread acceptance that reorganisation is happening, and a determination to approach it constructively. Many of the sessions reflected a genuine willingness to learn from past reforms, to listen, and to share experience and best practice. The emphasis was firmly on delivery and navigating change in a way that protects local identity and strengthens outcomes for residents.
The transition from DCN to LCN is more than symbolic. It reflects a clear ambition to ensure that, even as councils become larger through the creation of unitary authorities, the local voice is not diminished. Partnerships, collaboration and meaningful engagement at neighbourhood level will be critical. This moment presents a real opportunity to build integrated, place‑based public services shaped around communities, rather than system‑led structures. With fewer elected members representing larger areas, the role of local community groups and voluntary organisations will become increasingly important in sustaining local connection and insight.
Recent government announcements proposing smaller unitary authorities across areas such as Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Hampshire feel like a positive step. Moving away from a previously suggested 500,000 population threshold offers reassurance that future councils can remain effective without becoming unwieldy and, crucially, can stay closer to the communities they serve.
Ben Cox is Partner at Faerfield Limited.
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