Local Partnerships Blog: What is local government here to do in the 21st century?

Published on

21 April 2026

Local Partnerships Blog: What is local government here to do in the 21st century?

We are now more than a quarter of the way through a century that seems set to bring as much change as the two that preceded it. Changes in how and where we work, changes in our climate, demographic change, and changes in our social contract with each other.

Local government is changing too – as it always has. In some places we will see significant structural changes that will change the names, responsibilities and boundaries of local authorities. In other places, change may not be so visible. But everywhere local government will be changing how services are delivered, how they engage with residents, and the technology that supports service delivery.

In this change, reshaping and adaptation, there are risks, but there are also huge opportunities.

Opportunities to evolve the public sector ecosystem, to be more joined up in how residents' needs are met, to use data to drive effective decision-making and personalised service delivery, and to reduce duplication across the public sector.

As local government changes the vision of Total Place, it provides a blueprint for a new approach to service delivery. By working cross-organisationally, bringing together budgets and consolidating accountability, service delivery can centre the resident, rather than being hamstrung by financial friction between agencies, and the short-term policy goals and needs of politicians.

Achieving the full potential of local government will require change to the interface with the UK government, and between strategic authorities (new and old) and councils (also new and old!). We will need to build a culture of collaboration and trust, where Whitehall supports holistic local working, where mayors can set effective strategy and build a brilliant vision for their places, and where local authorities are empowered to build preventative services, tailored to their communities.

Local Partnerships is ready to support you as you navigate a changing context. We stand alongside local government, whether through our support for innovative programmes such as Prisoners Building Homes (does what it says on the tin), providing direct delivery support through the Council Housebuilding Support Service, or facilitating and coordinating collaboration in areas undertaking Local Government Reorganisation.

The only constant may be change. But, in all that change, what will remain steady is what it means to be a part of local government, and the pride we have in doing the best for our communities.