England is embarking on its most ambitious phase of local government reorganisation (LGR) and devolution in decades and the potential for duplication between nascent, emerging strategic authorities and existing unitary councils is becoming increasingly apparent.
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced in July 2025, sets out a bold vision for a streamlined, empowered local governance model. Yet, without clear delineation of roles and responsibilities, we risk undermining the very efficiencies and outcomes this reform seeks to deliver.
