Local Government Reorganisation

Master Your IT Checklist & Legacy Modernisation at DigiGov Expo
23rd & 24th Sept | Excel, London

The LGR & Unitarisation Timeline

From statutory milestones to immediate technical integration priorities, follow the roadmap to vesting day.

May
2026

Milestone Achieved

Surrey Shadow Elections & DPP Legal Consultations

Surrey successfully holds inaugural "shadow" elections for East and West Surrey. Concurrently, Essex launches its judicial review, forcing authorities to audit risk, consultation parameters, and technical due diligence.

June
2026

Current Phase

Non-DPP Modified Consultations & Tech Scoping

Active reviews proceed across 14 two-tier counties (including Kent, Devon, and Lancashire). Technical teams begin deploying legacy technical debt reduction frameworks to map multi-tenant system overlaps.

Summer
2026

Upcoming Milestone

Final Non-DPP Footprint Confirmations

Ministers are scheduled to announce final boundary configurations for the remaining two-tier authorities. Procurement leaders must execute an Evergreen IT strategy to halt rigid, separate legacy software contract renewals.

23-24
Sept

Where Local Gov Leaders Meet

DigiGov Expo 2026

The UK's leading public sector tech event is the ultimate destination to access the "LGR Tech Checklist". Sit down directly with local authority CDIOs and Central Government architects inside the Digital Foundations Theatre to share real-world consolidation models.

Secure Registration Pass ➔

Network with Public Sector Pioneers

Confirmed for 2026

Connect directly with Central Government Directors, local authority CDIOs, and leading digital infrastructure architects speaking across the main DigiGov theatres.

💡 Did you know? You can actively pre-schedule 1-to-1 meetings with speakers inside the official app once your registration is approved.

Who Attends DigiGov

Featured Case Study

Digital Foundations Theatre

Starting from Scratch: Rebuilding Local Government Data Infrastructure

In July 2025, Blaby District Council took the bold step of in-housing their entire IT operation to prepare for complex Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Rebuilding from a clean slate created a cloud-native, stable, high-performance platform that demonstrates how to move beyond accelerated compliance pressures. This session shares the implementation blueprint to successfully integrate legacy architectures and onboard with neighbouring authorities with minimal technical friction before reorganisation vesting days hit.

Confirmed Session Panelists:

Cllr Ben Taylor Leader of the Council Blaby District Council

James Hickens ICT Operations Manager Blaby District Council

Lisa Boland Asst Director, Trans & ICT Blaby District Council

Mike Connell Chief Tech & Innovation Officer Blaby District Council

Explore the DigiGov Agenda

DigiGov Expo - The UK’s Leading Public Sector Tech Event

"The buzz and energy in the room were incredible — it’s clear that interest in AI and its potential to transform public services has never been higher. It was also wonderful to reconnect with so many familiar faces, old colleagues and new alike. Events like DigiGov are such a reminder of the strength and passion in the public sector community — all of us focused on learning, sharing, and making a positive impact."

Marta Pocztowska
Chief Digital & Innovation Officer
Haringey Council

DigiGov 2026 Local Government Reorganisation & Modernisation Themes

Local Government Reorganisation IT checklist • in-sourcing IT operations UK councils • retiring legacy tech in public sector • Evergreen IT strategy for gov • technical debt reduction frameworks • LGR-ready cloud infrastructure • English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 • unitary council structural transformation • multi-tenant directory services consolidation • local authority shared services framework audits • breaking municipal data silos • two-tier system unitarisation milestones