As the festive season draws to a close, council leaders, chief executives, and officers will turn their attention to one of the most significant challenges local government has faced in decades: devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR). With expressions of interest for devolution and reorganisation due by Friday, 30th January, the clock is ticking.
The process is complex, but the opportunity to reshape services, improve efficiency, and deliver better outcomes for residents is immense. However, the question remains: how are councils going to approach this monumental task?
Reorganisation requires councils to work together in ways many have not before. It means sharing information, aligning goals, and building trust across organisational boundaries. But will councils trust each other enough to collaborate effectively?
The answer lies in data and analytics. Data is not only a foundation for evidence-based decision-making but also a bridge for fostering trust. By creating a safe space for data sharing, councils can better understand the challenges they face and collaboratively design solutions.
Yet, many councils have limited experience working across services like adults, children’s, and highways at the scale LGR demands. The question isn’t just whether councils can share data but whether they can interpret it. What does the data actually tell them? How do they use it to inform decisions on service design, resource allocation, and long-term planning?
To succeed, councils need robust mechanisms—a trusted vehicle—for securely sharing and analysing data across multiple organisations.
While setting up new governance structures might seem straightforward, reorganising large, complex services like adult social care and children’s services is anything but. These services are not only resource-intensive but also deeply embedded within existing organisational frameworks.
Transferring responsibilities for these services to districts—many of which may lack the capacity or expertise to manage them effectively—adds another layer of complexity. Councils must ask:
- What does the data tell us about current service performance?
- Do we have accurate projections to guide decisions about future service needs?
- How can we ensure continuity and quality during and after the transition?
Without clear, up-to-date data and sophisticated analytics, councils risk making decisions that could become irrelevant or unworkable by the time they are implemented in 2027 or beyond.
The decisions councils make today will shape services for years to come. But is the data they’re using fit for purpose?
Councils must consider:
- Timeliness: How up-to-date is the data?
- Relevance: Are current trends reflective of future needs?
- Accuracy: How reliable are the projections being used to inform decision-making?
Effective planning requires dynamic data models that can evolve as circumstances change. Councils must ensure that their decisions remain relevant and robust, even as the political, economic, and social landscape shifts.
There’s no doubt that this process is daunting. But it is happening. Councils must face the reality of reorganisation head-on—and they can’t do it alone.
At itelligent-i, we provide the capacity and expertise councils need to navigate this journey. We understand the challenges of LGR and the critical role data and analytics play in its success.
Our role is to be your strategic data partner, helping you:
- Build trust through secure, collaborative data-sharing mechanisms.
- Make sense of complex datasets to inform service design.
- Create dynamic, future-proof models for long-term decision-making.
Reorganisation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, expertise, and partnerships, councils can turn this challenge into an opportunity to reshape local government for the better.
At itelligent-i, we’re passionate about empowering councils to make informed, data-driven decisions. We’d love to discuss how we can support your organisation during this critical time.
📩 Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
🌐 Visit us at www.itelligent-i.com
