Birketts is at the forefront of the rapidly evolving landscape of devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR). With deep-rooted sector expertise and a multi‑disciplinary team, we are ideally positioned to provide the strategic support that our clients need to deliver significant structural change.

The Government’s English Devolution White Paper (December 2024) introduced the concept of the Strategic Authority, designed to bring multiple councils together under a single strategic framework to improve economic performance and public service delivery. This model is supported by additional detail on powers and governance structures set out in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (10 July 2025). Government policy continues to emphasise that Mayoral Strategic Authorities are the preferred route for securing deeper devolved powers, with simplified and coherent local government structures seen as an essential foundation.

In parallel with devolution, the Government is progressing a national programme of local government reorganisation, focused on replacing two‑tier authority arrangements with single‑tier unitary authorities. The Secretary of State has decided which proposals to implement (subject to Parliamentary approval) in priority areas and will follow with decisions in all other areas later in 2026.

The process of Unitarisation will proceed by way of Structural Changes Order, with Government engaging councils on transitional governance. The Unitarisation process across all areas is expected to complete by 1 April 2028.

Birketts offers comprehensive legal and strategic support to guide councils through every stage of devolution and reorganisation, including:

governance and process (the Unitarisation process and advising Unitary Authorities)
employment (TUPE, workforce planning, senior leadership alignment)
property and assets (asset transfers, due diligence, restructuring)
contracts and commercial arrangements (disaggregation, novation, transitional arrangements)
intellectual property and data (data migration, information governance, organisational identity).

With a proven track record and deep sector understanding, Birketts works alongside local leaders to ensure transformation delivers resilient, responsive and future‑ready councils that meet the needs of their communities.