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In-depth articles on planning, governance, and local government analysis
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Downloadable research reports and analysis documents
In-depth articles on planning, governance, and local government analysis
Local Government Reorganisation creates a prolonged period of political, organisational and operational uncertainty that directly affects how planning decisions are made, timed and defended.
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The May 2026 local elections in England are no longer a routine democratic exercise – they are a high‑stakes test of governance, devolution and political consent across almost every tier of local government.
An unusual electoral cycle is overlapping with local government reorganisation, shifting political incentives and increasing uncertainty in planning decision-making, particularly at committee level. This is what to do.
Good planning is not a technical process; it is a moral commitment. At its heart, the planning system represents a social contract to deliver the homes, infrastructure, and jobs that restore intergenerational fairness.
The Government's decision to delay the introduction of mayoral elections in areas undergoing local government reorganisation has passed with surprisingly little scrutiny.
Leader of Surrey County Council, Tim Oliver OBE, explains why devolution, not reorganisation alone, is the key to unlocking Surrey's economic potential.
Seeking planning approval in Surrey or another LGR area? Lame duck councillors and those fighting for election should be on every developer's risk register.
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Comprehensive Schedule and Structural Analysis. This briefing details every election due to take place and what to watch for.
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