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Plans to merge the Local Government Association central bodies into one are set to be given the go ahead by the association's executive on Thursday.

As reported last month, the LGA has put forward plans to scrap the separate bodies. In their place, the association has put forward plans for a single ‘local government services' body, alongside the LGA, as the main membership organisation.

Bodies which face the axe are LACORS, 4ps, the IDeA, the LGE and the Leadership Centre. No alternative structure has been put forward which would keep the groups as separate bodies.

Chief executive, Paul Coen, said: ‘The new venture would be more agile, responsive and streamlined, and be better plugged into the sector.

‘The first arm would concentrate on working more closely with councils to harness their strength and equip them with an ever-more powerful voice.

‘The second would provide tailored services to hone our ability to help councils innovate and lead, be more effective and efficient.'

LACORS chairman, Geoffrey Theobald, gave his support to the plan. ‘If given the go-ahead, it will provide LACORS with significant opportunities to develop, enhance and more effectively contribute to the ambitions that the LGA and central bodies have for the sector through our collective advocacy and improvement role.'

Plans put forward to the executive include: