The reorganisation game has warmed up and is starting to play out on turbulent political terrain. While local authorities shape their proposals for new unitaries, what lessons are on offer from those who have already navigated the process?

North Yorkshire Council was formed in April 2023 through the merger of the county council with six districts. But this example shows reorganisation is no panacea for resolving financial challenges. Last week the council's leader Carl Les met with local government minister Jim McMahon to highlight fears over the impact impending funding reforms nationally will have on the council's budgets. North Yorkshire said it had been given one of the worst funding deals for the current financial year, leaving it with an ‘unexpected' shortfall of almost £22m.