With the seasonal break approaching, many councils will be hoping for a period of rest and recuperation, but in reality, they know there’s no time to waste, say Claire Ward, partner, and Sue Bearman, legal director at Anthony Collins. So, what can they do to prepare?

Most LGR proposals were submitted to the Secretary of State at the end of November, and there is now a period for central Government to review the proposals, before final decisions are made on the form of new councils.

For those councils affected, preparing for the transition to new unitary authorities is essential. The new unitary councils will be responsible for project managing the transition to finish, but it will be the joint committees that start this process and governance arrangements will be a core part of this. How people work together, make decisions, and interact now whilst awaiting the Secretary of State decision can impact the transition process and influence the direction of travel for the new unitary council.

Above all else, at this stage it's important for councils to keep talking with one another. In most situations, there are multiple proposals for how reorganisation will be shaped, so maintaining effective relationships at all levels, is vital. Councils should seize this rare chance to shape innovative working practices that will set a positive tone for the new unitary council and help secure a successful outcome. These discussions at a high level can take place before the formal arrangements are set up and will provide a framework for the joint committee to consider.

Having joint committees ready to stand up and meet will ensure that when the time comes to initiate implementation, critical decisions can be taken promptly, transparently and with full accountability. These joint committees will have a crucial role to play in establishing the culture of the new organisation, providing the governance backbone that allows a new unitary authority to start life on a firm footing.

The value of joint committees lies in their ability to bring order to what could otherwise be a chaotic and, at times, fractured process. By aligning the affected councils, joint committees create consistency and avoid duplication of effort. They have an important role to play in demonstrating a commitment to good governance as well as fostering a constructive culture and effective working methods for the newly established unitary authority.

Councils should also be encouraged to learn from others. For example, Surrey is working to an accelerated timeline and the letters published on the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MCHLG) website are a useful indication of what might be coming to other areas. Several other organisations have undergone LGR previously – most recently Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset, so learnings from their experience could provide helpful guidance too.

Despite the lack of clarity currently, establishing a strong base at this stage will undoubtedly help secure a successful outcome come vesting day.

Claire Ward, partner, and Sue Bearman, legal director, are specialists in the local government team at Anthony Collins.

Want to learn more about local government reorganisation? Check out: Local Government Reorganisation: What It Means and Why It Matters.