𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Top local government executives are quitting rather than deal with Labour’s radical changes to councils, overseen by Angela Rayner. The talent exodus casts doubt on the ability of local authorities to deliver vital services, according to a new report. And it comes just as experienced leaders in local government are needed most.

Anthony Lewis, managing director of recruitment specialists Tile Hill, said the findings “raise an important question – how do councils continue delivering for their communities when many of the people needed to lead that work are questioning where their own future lies?”

Labour has paused radical reforms to local councils, which were designed to prepare the way for the creation of regional mayor-led authorities in every part of England.

Many parts of the country currently have two councils, such as a county council and a smaller district or borough council. But these “two-tier” arrangements were due to be axed, and replaced with single “unitary” authorities instead.

Local Government Secretary Ms Rayner announced this month that she was suspending the changes following threats of legal action, but the Government is expected to restart the process once it is convinced the plans will survive legal challenge.

A survey of senior council managers by Tile Hill found 75% of respondents said the proposed changes had already influenced their career plans. It found 70% were concerned about staff leaving because of the proposed changes, 18% were considering bringing retirement forward, and more than a quarter (28%) were considering leaving local government altogether.

Mr Lewis said: “The greatest risk may not be which structure is best, but the loss of experienced leaders whose knowledge, relationships and leadership capacity will be difficult to replace – at exactly the point local government needs strong leadership to navigate reform.”

And he warned that the pause in the changes may not help. “For some leaders, the announcement may provide breathing space or reassure them that there is time to reconsider. For others, it may simply extend a period of uncertainty.”

Ministers have insisted changes to local councils are “on pause” rather than cancelled.

But the delay has caused additional uncertainty, according to a group representing 50 urban authorities in the Northern, Midland, and South Coast regions of England.

The Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities warned: “Officers and elected members have spent months planning for reorganisation, and many have made important decisions on the basis that these changes would proceed.”