LGA Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Leadership Essentials Course for Councillors

The Local Government Association (LGA) delivers a range of leadership development programmes to help councillors strengthen their leadership skills, share experiences, and respond effectively to the challenges facing local government. Part of our suite of development opportunities for local political leaders is “Leadership Essentials”.

Leadership Essentials is a series of events designed as themed learning opportunities that concentrate on a specific portfolio area such as Planning or Children’s Services, or a specific theme such as communications. These programmes run with a maximum of 24 delegates.

They include a mix of class-room learning, small-group work and action learning/coaching. The LGA is seeking a supplier to update and deliver an in-person Leadership Essentials programme on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which will run twice, in November 2026 and January 2027.

The programme is aimed at councillors in authorities undergoing reorganisation, including Shadow Councillors, Joint Committee members, Leaders, Deputy Leaders, and relevant Portfolio Holders and Committee Chairs. LGR represents the most significant structural change to local government in decades, with councils in two-tier areas and some neighbouring unitary authorities moving towards new unitary council arrangements.

Affected local councils have now completed their proposals, with the aim that they best meet local needs, are informed by local views, support the Government’s devolution plans and enable stronger community engagement and empowerment. The programme will therefore help councillors understand the evolving LGR landscape and develop the leadership skills needed to navigate complex change programmes and support successful implementation.

Building on the success of the 2025/26 programme, which achieved 100% positive participant feedback, the successful supplier will refresh the existing content to reflect recent developments and decisions on new unitary authority geographies. The programme should equip councillors with the confidence, capability, knowledge, and awareness required to lead the LGR agenda locally, while supporting effective governance, stakeholder engagement, and organisational change. Delivery may also be supported by an LGA Member peer working alongside the provider.