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

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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?

Speaker
Duncan Sharkey
Chief Executive
Somerset Council

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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.

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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
Joan Tharm
Digital Manager
Lichfield DC
Nadira Hussain
Chief Executive
Socitm
Chris Wales
Director of Digital Innovation
Brighton & Hove City Council
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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
Dr Richard Scarlett
Head of Commercial & Procurement Service
Oxfordshire CC
Chris Kaye
Head of Commercial & Contracts
Warwickshire CC

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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