Programme

-
Registration and refreshments
-
Welcome from Editor
Speaker
Martin George
Acting Editor
Local Government Chronicle
-
Session 1: "Safe and legal" and beyond?

Panel discussion

Can the urgency of LGR delivery become a catalyst for transformation rather than a brake on innovation? Leaders share lessons on balancing compliance, capacity, and ambition.

Getting the basics right - how to ensure new councils are safe and legal on day one; seizing the opportunity - how to ensure the demands of LGR do not prevent innovative solutions for our places

Speakers
Theresa Grant
Local Government Reorganisation Advisor
MHCLG
Rebecca Purnell
PwC
Marc Greenwood
Executive Director Place
Blaby DC
Richard Flinton
Chief Executive
North Yorkshire Council
Michelle Sacks
Chief Executive
Huntingdonshire DC

-
Session 2: Local by design: enabling our communities

Panel discussion

As councils scale up, how do they keep decisions close to communities? Leaders discuss empowering neighbourhoods, parish partnerships, and rural models that put “local” at the heart of transformation.

Speakers
William Benson
Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service)
Tunbridge Wells BC (Chair)
Jonathan Owen
Chief executive
National Association of Local Councils
Andrew O'Brien
Head of Secretariat
Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON)
Salena Mulhere
Deputy Chief Executive
Test Valley Council
Emma Foy
Industry Lead for Local Government
Technology One

-
Session 3: Showcase – Technology One

Case study presentation

Speakers
Ian Cook
Presales Solution Architect for Local Government
Technology One
William Benson
Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service)
Tunbridge Wells BC (Chair)
-
Networking break
-
Session 4: Financing the future: business as usual

Panel discussion

How do you make sure new councils are financially viable from the start? Securing the savings from LGR. Examining fiscal resilience, investment, and how to fund transformation beyond the restructure.

How fair funding will impact new councils?

Speakers
Duncan Sharkey
Chief Executive
Somerset Council
Gary Fielding
Corporate Director of Resources / Director of Resources
North Yorkshire Council
Owen Mapley
Chief Executive
CIPFA
Stephanie Leitch
Associate Director and Operational Lead for Indirect Taxes
PSTax
Kirsty Weakley
Head of Content/News Editor
Local Government Chronicle

-
Session 5: Integration and disaggregation – practical solutions

Panel discussion

What happens after Day 1? Learn from real lessons from councils on integrating service post-LGR.


  • Award winning integration: Opportunities for planning from LGR -

Buckinghamshire Council was created in 2020 from four legacy districts and a County Council. The integration started 1 week before the first national Covid lockdown. Facing the challenges head on and working positively led to the Council being awarded Planning Service of the Year in 2023. This case study will explore the highs and lows of the integration journey including some important lessons and opportunities.

By Steve Bambrick, Corporate Director Planning, Growth and Sustainability, Buckinghamshire Council

Speakers
Steve Bambrick
Corporate Director Planning, Growth and Sustainability
Buckinghamshire Council
Kirsty Weakley
Head of Content/News Editor
Local Government Chronicle
-
Lunch and Networking
-
Session 6: Round table discussions

Group Therapy

  • Communicating change: residents, businesses, and trust
  • Local democracy in a digital age
  • Partnerships beyond the public sector
  • Sustainability and reorganisation
  • LGPS in LGR
  • Workforce: leadership, culture, and staff morale
-
Session 7: Transition to transformation (Digital)

Panel discussion

How can we harness the innovation of digital to deliver the full potential of LGR? Exploring system integration, data use, and embedding digital into the new organisation’s DNA.

Speakers
Rob Huntington
Chief Executive
Rossendale BC (Chair)
Joan Tharm
Digital Manager
Lichfield DC
Nadira Hussain
Chief Executive
Socitm
Chris Wales
Director of Digital Innovation
Brighton & Hove City Council
Tom White
Head of Research and Service Design
NEC Digital Studio

-
Refreshments break
-
Session 8: Commissioning, contracts, and procurement

Panel discussion

How can new unitary structures reimagine procurement for efficiency and social value? This session explores smarter commissioning, partnership models, and opportunities for innovation in service delivery.

Speakers
Dr Richard Scarlett
Head of Commercial & Procurement Service
Oxfordshire CC
Chris Kaye
Head of Commercial & Contracts
Warwickshire CC
Justin Galliford
Chief Executive Officer
Norse Group

-
Session 9: How can LGR set up for Devolution success

Closing keynote

Is reorganisation a stepping-stone or distraction from devolution? What structure best positions places for powers and investment.

Speaker
Mark Rogers
Chief Executive
Leadership Centre
-
Closing remarks
-
Drinks reception

Join the informal drinks reception sponsored by Cratus, F3 and 31Ten to carry on networking