Speaking to colleagues in local government who have been through previous iterations of LGR their stories range from 'nothing changed except my email address' to 'it felt chaotic and no one knew what was happening'. We're at a critical point in this LGR journey, as attention shifts from proposals to planning. We have the opportunity to prioritise what will have most impact as we consider how transition will be managed.
Stories, like change programmes, are remembered by both what happens and how it feels. As we develop transition arrangements and programme plans, it is essential that we have a clear focus on being safe and legal. We must ensure critical services continue with minimal disruption, and that local democratic arrangements are safeguarded. This is, at the end of the day, our core purpose as local authorities.
Being ‘safe and legal' by vesting day is no small challenge given the scale and complexity of the LGR process. But it doesn't make for an exciting story to be told after the event, nor an especially engaging prospect for a workforce about to face years of disruption and uncertainty about their jobs.
At Newtrality, we believe in taking a deeply human approach to how we do change. We recognise it has real-life impacts on the people involved – many of our friends working in councils are basing major life decisions on the outcome of LGR and it's anticipated impact on their careers. We design programmes to reflect this, with the flexibility to respond to the realities of the context we work in.
Our top lessons from delivering previous rounds of LGR include:
1. Communication is key: It's important to keep staff informed but not overwhelmed. LGR is a long process, and it's easy to get bored of continuous updates. Instead, focus on helping people understand the roadmap and the importance of key milestones.
2. Careers can be made: Programmes like LGR offer real opportunities for development for rising stars in your organisation by providing the structure and space for progression both in change and service delivery.
3. Change doesn't happen in a vacuum: Government policy, local issues and personal life events all shape the road to vesting day. The best plans are ones that are responsive and adaptable to changing context
What will be the stories told about LGR in your area? If you'd like support shaping a smoother, more human LGR journey, we'd love to talk. You can reach us at hello@newtrality.co.uk – we're here to work alongside you and your teams to create the kind of story people will want to tell.
