Your Guide to Devolution

Local government reorganisation, introduced as part of the England devolution bill, represents the largest change in local authority structure since the 1974 reorganisation.

It has two core aims

To simplify local government in England

Create consistently sized local authorities (around 500,000 residents) – large enough to operate at scale and representative of local needs – while removing regional variation where some areas are covered by two-tier authorities structures and others by unitary structures authorities.

To create devolution regions of local authorities

Devolve further powers from Westminster, enabling groups of local authorities to operate strategically on a regional basis.

• Devolution applies to some local authorities in England only.
• All two-tier authorities and some unitary authorities have been invited to participate.
• London and Metropolitan Boroughs are excluded.

The government aims to complete the devolution programme within the first parliamentary term, with a Vesting Day (a date when a local authority legally comes to an end) in April 2028.

Devolution is designed to simplify structures, standardise scale, and enable strategic, regional decision-making. The goal is to reduce duplication across tiers, improve accountability, and ensure local authorities are operating at a size that supports efficiency, resilience, and consistent service outcomes – particularly in critical areas like social care, health, transport, and economic development.

Each devolved authority will be responsible for delivering all services across the newly defined geography, ensuring that priority is given to the services that matter most for that region. Newly formed authorities will typically look after approximately 500,000 citizens, although this figure may vary from region to region.

1. Engage early – Speak to your System C account manager to initiate readiness and transition planning.
2. Assess your estate – Confirm cloud hosting, supported versions, and integrations that will be affected.
3. Define data boundaries – Map data ownership, flows, and reconciliation rules for new structures.
4. Design the transition – Build detailed migration, testing, training, and cutover plans with clear roles.
5. Assure continuity – Put in place controls to protect safeguarding, payments, and provider services.
6. Communicate & govern – Establish programme governance and stakeholder communications to guide change.

System C has already supported local authority reorganisations, including Cumbria’s split into Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council.