Future Local Lab
Local Government Explained
What does the year ahead mean for the future of local government?
Rewatch the session:
We brought LGIU members, partners, leading experts and sector voices from around the world together to explore the biggest pressures and decisions coming down the line for local government and communities in the year ahead and what they signal for the future.
Key areas
- Elections and political change, with uncertainty over where elections will take place and what shifting political control may mean for residents and service delivery.
- Structural reform and devolution, including local government reorganisation, the emergence of shadow authorities in new devolved areas, and questions about whether reform will strengthen local democracy and outcomes.
- Service delivery pressures and reform, including SEND, adult social care, neighbourhood service delivery and the push toward preventative and integrated approaches.
- Funding and financial sustainability, including fair funding reform, multi-year settlements and the ongoing challenge of councils operating under severe financial strain.
- Wider “permacrisis” pressures, from housing and climate change to community cohesion, AI and rising complexity across local places.
Speakers
- Pauline Mulligan, Chief Executive of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA)
- Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU
- Des Murray, Chief Executive, North Lanarkshire Council
- Kathryn Arndt, Chief Executive, Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)
- Alison Allen, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA)
See more about our speakers below.
Event Survey
Resource pack: What does the year ahead mean for the future of local government?
Top five takeaways
You can view LGIU’s top five takeaways from the session including the polling results here.
Measuring what matters: The Local Autonomy Index and the future of comparative local government reform
This analysis explores local autonomy through the framework of the Local Autonomy Index, which offers a rigorous, data-led methodology for comparing the actual scope of local power across countries and over time. Read more…
Five insights on local government and its future from LGIU’s 2025 Top Thinkers
In 2025, local government was challenged to navigate an ever-changing landscape and rising complexity. We asked our 25 Top Thinkers for their reflections on developments. Read here
How we’ll build the future local government workforce
LGPro’s Sue Wilkinson explores what needs to happen to ensure a sustainable and appropriately skilled workforce for the future. Read more here
Looking to 2050: The future of local government in England
This research – the inaugural project with our new strategic partners, Local Partnerships explores how structures, relationships and frameworks between different tiers of government must evolve in the years ahead. View report here.
Trust and Tech: AI’s future with local government
As the technology evolves at pace, local government faces a complex challenge: how to innovate responsibly while maintaining public trust. Explore the key takeaways from our recent panel discussion. View session takeaways here
LGIU’s outlook for the year ahead: what’s coming down the track for local government in Ireland?
Following a hectic 2025, with national government policy expectations now clearly outlined for the key local government thematic responsibilities, the big question uppermost in people’s minds is probably whether there will be a possible structural reform of the local government sector in 2026. Read more here…
LGIU’s look ahead for Scottish Local Government in 2026
Scottish local government enters 2026 in a familiar but uncomfortable place: facing significant gaps in funding for core services and for social care, leading to ever-growing concern about financial sustainability, and uncertainty about its relationship with the Scottish Government and the potential for structural change. View briefing here
LGIU’s outlook for the year ahead: what’s coming down the track for local government in England?
Local government enters 2026 in a familiar but uncomfortable position: at the centre of delivery, yet on the margins of the debate. Big on structural change, light on vision of what local government is for. View briefing here
About our speakers
Pauline MulliganChief Executive of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) |
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Pauline Mulligan is Chief Executive of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in Ireland since January 2025. The LGMA provides a range of professional services for and on behalf of local authorities in Ireland supporting improved efficiency in delivery of services by the sector, sharing best practise and innovative approaches.
Des MurrayChief Executive, North Lanarkshire Council |
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Des Murray serves as the Chief Executive for North Lanarkshire Council, leading the council’s corporate management team and overseeing the strategic direction and efficient operation of Scotland’s fourth-largest local authority, working to deliver on its aims and policy objectives for residents.
Kathryn ArndtChief Executive, Victorian LocalGovernance Association (VLGA) |
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Kathryn is the CEO of the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA). The VLGA supports councils and elected representatives (councillors) to deliver positive outcomes for their local communities through high performance leadership and effective governance. The Association is member-run and non-partisan. As a peak body, the VLGA supports the local government sector through leadership, advocacy and professional development.
Alison AllenChief Executive, Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) |
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Alison has been with NILGA since 2022. She is responsible for providing strategic leadership and vision across all aspects of NILGA’s responsibilities, including delivering strategic relationships and partnerships that enhance NILGA’s impact and added value. She is the principal advisor to the NILGA Office Bearers and Executive.
Jonathan Carr-WestChief Executive, LGIU |
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Dr Jonathan Carr-West has been Chief Executive of LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) since February 2013 where he leads on all aspects of the think tank’s policy, membership and influencing work.
Jonathan is a leading national expert on local government transformation, local democracy and public services. Some of his particular interests are in participative democracy, the evolving nature of public services and devolution. With an extensive media profile and sector credibility, he has published on topics as diverse as localism and public service transformation, cognitive and behavioural science, and the politics of cultural memory.
