Improvement and innovation bulletin

October 2026

Welcome to the latest Improvement and Innovation bulletin. 

Sector support offers

Let us know your improvement support needs

As we look towards 2027, we are beginning discussions with Government departments regarding future support programmes for local and strategic authorities.

Our wide-ranging sector support offer can be accessed on our website, which sets out all aspects of the support we provide. To help ensure the support continues to meet your needs, please let us know what aspects of support are of most value to your authority, or let us know if there are new types of support that would be beneficial.

Resilience Unpacked

The LGA is excited to launch our new Resilience Unpacked series. This series of animated explainer videos will provide officers at all levels with an understanding of the key concepts and processes that underpin local government resilience and emergency planning. With no experience needed, the series should prompt all officers to consider how resilience is integral to their responsibilities.

Our first three videos are now live, looking at defining resilience, who ‘does’ resilience, and what preparedness means to local authorities. More videos will be released over the coming months, which will explore the role of local authorities in response, recovery, and whole-of-society resilience.

AI in local government: What councillors need to know

The LGA has launched a practical learning programme specifically designed for elected members. Whether you are completely new to AI or already exploring its potential, these sessions will help you understand the opportunities, risks, and responsibilities associated with AI in local government. Building on the success of our July 2026 training session, we aim to establish an ongoing programme that equips councillors with the knowledge, confidence and practical understanding needed to provide leadership, scrutiny and oversight of AI in local government. To find out more information, please visit AI in local government: What councillors need to know.

Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) Round 3 is now open!

English councils can apply for a share of up to £34.7 million to unlock council-owned brownfield land for new homes. Eligibility criteria have changed, so please check the website before applying. BLRF3 provides viability gap funding to address abnormal development costs and forms the first year of a four-year programme. One Public Estate regional teams can help you develop proposals and build a pipeline of projects. We're particularly keen to support schemes that can deliver land release quickly. Find out more and review the full guidance on the OPE website.

Sustainability Peers programme

We're expanding the LGA's sustainability peer pool to support councils in delivering their climate and sustainability ambitions. We're seeking experienced officers with expertise in sustainability, climate change, net zero, adaptation, environmental leadership, or delivering organisational change to support sustainability outcomes. If you're interested, update your peer profile to include your sustainability experience or apply to become an officer peer by completing the short form.

Wherever you are with council housebuilding, CHoSS can help

The LGA’s Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS) provides free, practical support whether your council already owns and manages housing stock or is looking to build council homes for the first time.

We can help with finance and viability, land and sites, delivery models, governance, business cases, and skills or capacity gaps. Support can also provide a sense-check, specialist input or reassurance as plans progress. It is tailored to your council, whether you are starting out, strengthening an existing programme, or already receiving CHoSS support.

Find out more: visit the CHoSS webpage or email CHoSS@local.gov.uk.

Webinars and events

Data masterclass for chief executives

Tuesday 20 October 2026, 10.00am-12.00pm

This free virtual masterclass for chief executives will show how better use of data can transform services, improve outcomes and deliver efficiencies, with real case studies, practical insights and peer discussion.

Book now: Data masterclass for chief executives

Transformation Roundtable: PMO as transformation enabler

Wednesday 4 November 2026, 10.00am – 11.30am

This roundtable will look at what PMOs are doing vs what councils need them to do, and how PMOs can shift from compliance and reporting to enabling better decisions, prioritisation and outcomes.

Book now: Transformation Roundtable: PMO as transformation enabler.

Digital leadership through local government reorganisation (LGR): Building digital readiness through change

Monday 16 November 2026, 2.00pm - 3.30pm

This virtual event will explore how councils can build and strengthen their digital readiness as Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) continues to develop. Focusing on practical action to ensure technology enables strategic outcomes, the session will consider the steps councils can take now to better position for future organisational change, while continuing to deliver effective services for residents.

Book now: Digital leadership through local government reorganisation (LGR): Building digital readiness through change.

Building effective member and officer relationships

Tuesday 17 November 2026, 2.00pm – 3.30pm  

This virtual masterclass for elected members and senior officers will explore practical approaches to strengthening member-officer relationships to achieve better outcomes. Drawing on LGA guidance, peer experience and case studies, the session will share actionable insights on behaviours, boundaries, protocols and building trust.

Book now: Building effective member and officer relationships.

COP31: Engaging all local government services in sustainability

Wednesday 18 November 2026, 10.00am - 11.30am

Join us for this virtual event to dive into the role of local government in advancing sustainability.

As COP31 focuses on turning climate commitments into tangible outcomes, the panel will discuss the practical work being undertaken by local authorities to deliver sustainability, resilience and sustainable growth objectives, as well as financial savings, health improvements and increased economic output for a place.

Book now: COP31: Engaging all local government services in sustainability.

Roundtable: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainability

Tuesday 24 November 2026, 2.00pm - 3.30pm

Join this roundtable to explore the intersection between AI and sustainability, discuss emerging challenges and opportunities, and consider the role local government can play in promoting responsible, sustainable AI adoption.

Book now: Roundtable: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainability.

Leading good governance and assurance as a senior councillor

Tuesday 1 December 2026, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

This interactive virtual masterclass for senior councillors will provide a grounding in key senior councillor leadership roles in relation to governance and assurance. Exploring principles and good practice and how to identify and manage risks which may impact on achievement of local outcomes.

Book now: Leading good governance and assurance as a senior councillor.

Councillor confidence: Building self-belief beyond the mask

Thursday 10 December 2026, 1.00pm - 2.30pm

Councillors, whether newly elected or highly experienced, are expected to appear confident and capable at all times. Yet beneath the surface, self-doubt, anxiety and an inner critic can take their toll. Drawing inspiration from Oscar Wilde's novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', this interactive online session explores the gap that can develop between the confidence we project publicly and how we actually feel privately. Participants will discover practical techniques to build genuine confidence, strengthen resilience and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns. Following the session, participants will receive a practical action plan to help them reflect on their confidence journey, develop personalised resilience strategies and continue building confidence in their role.

Book now: Councillor confidence: Building self-belief beyond the mask.

Action Learning Sets - Transport and sustainable finance

The LGA is running two separate free Action Learning Sets for English councils: one on transport and one on sustainable finance. Running across January–March 2027, each programme consists of three online sessions where participants can explore real-world challenges, share experiences and develop practical solutions with colleagues from other authorities.

Book now: Action Learning Sets.

Leadership Essentials Transformation

Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 March 2027

(Session 7 – Warwick Conferences, Coventry CV4 7SH)

As a councillor, you’re likely hearing that ‘transformation programmes’ are the way to make efficiencies and savings, but what does that really mean? Our series of Leadership Essentials on Transformation will help demystify transformation, giving councillors the confidence and capability to lead the transformation agenda within their councils.

Book now: LGA Transformation webpage.

Additionally, you might be interested in...

Pausing LGR: FAQs

Read the new LGA and MHCLG FAQs for the latest information following the Government’s pause of the LGR programme. We will continue supporting councils with LGR preparations, and our monthly LGR Heads of HR Network will continue to bring councils together to share learning and address emerging workforce issues. To join the network, contact luann.donald@local.gov.uk.

LGR Peers programme

We're expanding the LGA's officer peer pool to support councils through Local Government Reorganisation. We're seeking experienced officers with expertise in LGR, transformation, system change, service reorganisation or programme delivery. If you're interested, update your peer profile to include your LGR experience or apply to become an officer peer by completing the short form.

LG Inform and LG Inform Plus

LG Inform Plus Powers and Duties: Seeking subject matter experts

The LG Inform Plus Powers and Duties service is seeking local authority professionals to help shape our next programme of deep dive reviews.

We are currently looking for expertise in:

• Combined Strategic and Mayoral Authorities
• Place-based services aligned with the ADEPT portfolio, including transport, highways, environment, waste and recycling, flood and coastal management, and related local authority functions.

Our deep dives provide a detailed examination of the statutory powers and duties that underpin local government services, helping councils better understand the legislative framework within which they operate.

This is a funded opportunity to contribute your expertise to a nationally recognised resource used by councils across England. We are particularly interested in hearing from practitioners with current operational, policy, or governance experience who can help identify key legislation, powers, duties, and emerging issues affecting these areas.

Whether you have direct expertise yourself or can recommend a colleague with specialist knowledge, we would be delighted to hear from you. Interested? Please contact Alex Rigge, Programme Manager, LG Inform Plus, at alex.rigge@local.gov.uk for an informal discussion.

For information on LG Inform contact us at lginform@local.gov.uk, or to take advantage of the benefits of subscribing to LG Inform Plus contact lginformplus@local.gov.uk.

Yours faithfully, 

Cllr Claire Holland

Chair of the LGA Improvement Committee