- Home \
- Training \
- Devolution Local Government Reorganisation Cost Savings and Sustainability
Devolution Local Government Reorganisation Cost Savings and Sustainability
Event summary
With the first round of devolution and LGR looming, there are expectations (not least in central government) that the formation of mega-councils and combined authorities will deliver significant efficiencies, and lead to more sustainable finances.
Is this realistic, and if so how can it be achieved?
This discussion will explore:
- The financial impact of merging frontline services
- Economies of scale
- Rationalising property estates and best use of council buildings
- Matching employment terms and conditions
- Short term pain for long term gain
- Staff skills and capacity
- Public Interest Test and government drive to insource
- Service delivery model choices
Date
13 November 2025
Starts: 10:30
Ends: 12:00
Location
77 Mansell Street
London
E1 8AN
[See map]CIPFA Mansell Street
Standard price
£0.00 excl VAT
Network Member Price
Book now
About this event
Who should attend?
Senior Local Authority finance leaders, Heads of Finance and Section 151 Officers.
How will you benefit from attending?
- Gain clarity on financial realities – explore whether devolution and LGR can realistically deliver the cost savings and long-term sustainability expected by central government.
- Learn from peer experiences – hear how other councils and combined authorities are approaching complex issues such as merging services, rationalising estates, and harmonising employment terms.
- Understand the trade-offs – assess the short-term challenges versus the long-term opportunities of large-scale restructuring.
- Examine service delivery options – compare insourcing, outsourcing, and hybrid models in light of the Public Interest Test and evolving government priorities.
- Identify practical strategies – take away insights and potential approaches to maximise economies of scale while safeguarding service quality.
- Shape the conversation – contribute your own perspectives and help influence collective thinking on the future of local government structures.
CPD hours
This carries 1.5 CPD hours.
Topics
- Financial management
- / Leadership
- / Local government
- / Property
- / Risk management
- / Sustainability
- / Value for money
Speaker - Joanne Pitt, Senior Policy Manager (Local Government), CIPFA
Joanne Pitt is an experienced local government adviser and has 25 years of public sector experience. She was responsible for the delivery of the CIPFA Financial Management Code and is an advocate of strong financial management and good governance.
She is a national speaker and author of numerous publications on topics such as government funding, housing and financial sustainability. Through her work with CFOs across the country she supports local government improvement and reform using data analysis and strong evidence-based insight.
Speaker - Simon Allsop, Senior Consultant, CIPFA
Simon leads on CIPFA’s advisory support on financial management and financial resilience across public services. Currently leading on the Advisory Support for Local Government Reorganisation and on our work with MHCLG on exceptional financial support influencing and informing on the best ways to help councils in financial distress. Former Joint Director of Finance and Business Services (S151 Officer) for Derbyshire Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service. Simon has over 30 years experience in working with and in a wide range of public sector organisations in challenging financial, governance, reorganisation and performance improvement roles.
Speaker - Justin Galliford, Chief Executive, Norse Group
Justin joined Norse Group in 2006 after completing an MBA in Business Administration and Management. He also holds an MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and a BSc in Environmental Sciences. As Operations Director in a wide range of Norse divisions he helped develop the company’s pioneering local authority partnership model. In 2020 Justin was appointed Chief Operating Officer, and in January 2022 became Chief Executive Officer. In this role he has embraced the ESG agenda, introducing the mantra of “Improving People’s Lives”.