Essex council reorganisation could put 'services at risk'

An Institute for Government (IfG) report has warned that Labour’s plans to reorganise councils across England could disrupt public services in communities without further government support and guidance.

The report highlights the scale of the planned reforms, which will affect 41 per cent of England’s population across areas including Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Sussex.

Matthew Fright, lead author of the report, said: "The challenges of LGR won’t end on day one – there is a significant long tail that local leaders will need to grapple with for years to come, ranging from culture clashes across the new organisation to incompatible IT systems.

"These will need to be overcome to deliver genuine transformation of public service delivery."

The IfG recommends that central government assess its own capacity to manage the reorganisation, provide realistic guidance and timetables, and recruit external support if necessary.

Justin Galliford, chief executive of Norse Group, backed the findings, emphasising the importance of prioritising key services and supporting employees through the transition.

He said: "At Norse, we’ve seen first-hand the importance of prioritising high-impact services, supporting employees through change, and engaging openly with communities."