5 March 2026 | Kia Oval, London
Programme
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Registration and refreshments
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Welcome from Editor
Chair: Martin George, deputy editor, LGC
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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
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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
Sponsor
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Session 3: Showcase – Technology One
Case study presentation
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Networking break
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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
Sponsor
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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
Speaker
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Lunch and Networking
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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
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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
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Refreshments break
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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
Sponsor
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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.
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Closing remarks
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Drinks reception
Join the informal drinks reception sponsored by Cratus, F3 and 31Ten to carry on networking