Future Local Lab
Local Government ExplainedLGIU in the room: July 2026 sector insights
In this edition of LGIU in the Room, we round up some of July’s key conversations shaping local government, from the LGA Conference and APPG Summer Reception to Local Government Reorganisation workshops, highlighting the issues, ideas and challenges driving change across the sector.
Each month, the LGIU team is out across the local government sector – attending conferences, policy events, roundtables and webinars to stay on top of the latest developments and emerging trends.
This new LGIU in the room update brings together our highlights from the events we’ve attended, along with our key takeaways on the issues shaping local government. From devolution and local government finance to reorganisation, leadership and innovation, this gives you a snapshot of the conversations happening across the sector right now.
Summer Reception – APPG on Local Government Finance
📍 London | Terrace Pavillion House of Commons | All-Party Parliamentary Group | 🗓️ 14 July
Attendee: LGIU Team
“This event brought together colleagues from across the local government sector and it was the perfect opportunity to share the findings from the APPG’s inquiry into fiscal devolution. This inquiry consulted local government, academia and other sector experts and explored how greater local control over taxation and revenue could drive economic growth, improve public services, strengthen accountability, and enable the long-term financial sustainability of councils and combined authorities.
The key recommendations?
- Modernise local taxation.
- Give places more power over public finances and more responsibility for delivering public services and growing their local economies.
- Publish a long-term roadmap that gives every part of England a route into fiscal devolution.”
LGA Conference
📍 Bournemouth | Local Government Association | 🗓️ 7-9 July
Attendee: Jonathan Carr-West | Chief Executive Officer
Heather Yedigaroff | Chief Operating Officer
Caitlin Lord-Smith | Partnerships Manager
““The only constant is change”
That was the defining theme running through this year’s LGA Conference in Bournemouth. Key discussions were shaped by the eagerly anticipated LGR decisions (see our full LGR decision analysis here) and speculation around yet another new Prime Minister (see our letter to Andy Burnham here) – both of which have since come to pass.
It felt like there was a real sense of dynamism and buzz throughout the conference, reflecting the pace of change across local government. That buzz was coupled with a clear recognition of the work ahead for the sector – from responding to Casey’s diagnosis of the social care system, to navigating a multi-party political landscape and making sense of the evolving devolution agenda.
Public Finance Live 2026
📍 London | The ICC Olympia | Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy | 🗓️ 15-16 July
Attendees: Daniel Holland | Membership Coordinator
“Across the sessions, a consistent set of pressures emerged: public trust in politics and institutions is low; demand for local services – including housing, care and safeguarding – is outstripping funding and capacity; and devolution is increasingly seen as both a route to better outcomes and greater political and financial risk.. Speakers repeatedly returned to prevention and clearer political communication as two of the key levers available to councils and national politicians to help the public better understand the realities of public service delivery.
Mid Essex Member Forum
📍 Chelmsford | 🗓️ 16 July
Attendees: Jonathan Carr-West | Chief Executive Officer
Thomas Lynch | Strategic Policy and Practice Manager
“LGR is inherently a competitive process, so bringing together members from Chelmsford, Maldon, Brentwood and Essex County as peers, rather than representatives of individual councils, felt like a deliberate reframe.
Moving from personal motivations for public service to a shared vision, the day featured honest breakout discussions on governance, public narrative and working principles. The real test now will be whether that candour carries through as the Mid Essex Forum transitions into formal structures.”
BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service Training
📍 Southampton | BBC South | 🗓️ 17 July
Attendees: Greg Stride | Principal Researcher
“As always it was great to catch up with the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporters. These journalists play an essential role in informing the public about council work and holding councils to account, and we were pleased to share insights and guidance on how councils work and the issues affecting local government across the country.
How to build a new council – dinner with Norse
📍 Bournemouth | LGIU & Norse Group | 🗓️ 8 July
Attendee: Jonathan Carr-West | Chief Executive Officer
Heather Yedigaroff | Chief Operating Officer
Caitlin Lord-Smith | Partnerships Manager
“During the LGA Conference, we hosted a private dinner with Chief Executives from LGIU member councils and our strategic partner, Norse Group. The roundtable marked the launch of our new research programme, How to Build a New Council, which aims to develop practical frameworks for the next century of local government. Discussions drew on a wealth of knowledge, covering council structure, workforce culture and planning, governance, and operating model transformation – laying the foundations for the research to come.
This is just the beginning! We look forward to continuing to engage with colleagues and draw out ideas and solutions for councils who are currently creating new organisations.”
Maldon LGR Staff Conference
📍 Essex | Maldon Town Hall | Maldon District Council | 🗓️ 10 July
Attendee: Jonathan Carr-West | Chief Executive Officer
Henry Grant | Operations and Comms Officer
“As Essex councils prepare to merge into unitaries, our LGIU LGR session brought together everyone from frontline staff to senior leaders. There was an engaged and pragmatic mood in the room, with discussions highlighting a clear message: leadership must communicate honestly and invest in relationships across the council throughout the change. While some colleagues are “excited for the reset”, many also remain understandably “apprehensive” and “unsure”.”
Joint Kent Chiefs Away Day
📍 Kent | Sessions House | Kent County Council | 🗓️ 29 July
Attendee: Jen Pufky | Head of Engagement
Charlotte Pirie \ Membership Coordinator
“Discussions centred on Kent’s progress with Local Government Reorganisation. Key themes included the findings from the Service Complexity Assessments (SCAs), which highlighted the complexities and risks of service disaggregation, alongside the need to manage political and operational expectations throughout the transition.
Governance was another major focus, with participants discussing the structure of Joint Committees, the roles of Senior Responsible Officers (SROs), and the selection process for Place Leads. The importance of transparent communications, managing Freedom of Information requests, and maintaining a unified strategy also emerged as key priorities as councils prepare for future devolution and the upcoming vesting days.”
Where should we be next?
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