The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed local government reorganisation decisions for 14 areas in England. The proposed structures would replace the existing councils shown in the table below with 38 unitary authorities. The Government cited simpler accountability, reduced duplication, stronger service integration and support for devolution and economic growth.
Decisions on West Sussex, and on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, will be made separately. The announcement sets out the preferred structures and headline rationale; detailed implementation timetables and transition arrangements are not included.
Area-by-area council numbers and Arlingclose Lead
Arlingclose LGR Leads
Each affected area has a named Arlingclose LGR lead, providing councils with a consistent point of contact throughout the transition. The lead will help co-ordinate treasury and finance activity across the existing authorities, identify issues early and draw in specialist support where needed. This provides a clear route for sharing information, developing strategy and establishing sound arrangements for the new unitary authority.
Arlingclose LGR Support Services
Arlingclose's LGR support is designed to help councils manage the treasury and finance implications of reorganisation. We can support treasury management and finance working groups, help consolidate or disaggregate opening balance sheets, and advise on the fair allocation of assets, liabilities, wholly owned companies, debt and investment balances. This includes reviewing liability benchmarks, cashflow forecasts, liquidity requirements and risk appetite, as well as supporting discussions with lenders, including the PWLB, where approvals or novations are required.
We can also help align capital programmes and borrowing requirements with the new authority's priorities, develop consistent MRP policies, Treasury Management Strategies, prudential indicators and governance arrangements, and assess treasury risks through contingency planning and stress testing. Where required, we can identify skills and resource gaps, and provide tailored training for finance teams and elected members. The aim is to maintain operational continuity through vesting day and leave the new authority with robust, compliant and sustainable treasury arrangements.
LGR Content and Workshops
To support the sector, Arlingclose offers a range of free content on the practical implementation of LGR for finance officers. You can register for regular updates here.
Visit our LGR assistance page here for practical guidance and details of how Arlingclose can support your transition.
We are also hosting regional LGR events across the country. Speakers will include council officers who have already been through the process, banking and payment experts who have supported transitions, and Arlingclose specialists.
For further information please email us at treasury@arlingclose.com.
