LGA launches Sector Support Offer

The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched its Sector Support offer for 2025/26.

The support is funded by the UK government and offers wide-ranging support programmes. The offer has been updated to reflect the current challenges and opportunities for local authorities across the country.

The LGA is already supporting councils going through devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR), including through access to bespoke regional support and networks; support spanning governance, finance and workforce implications of these changes; service specific support, such as for children’s and adult services; webinars covering key topics; and opportunities to learn directly from local and combined authority representatives who have gone through the process.

According to the LGA, the Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) programme still remains an important and valued improvement and assurance tool, with 100 per cent of councils consistently saying that the process of preparing for and participating in a CPC has had a positive impact on their council. This year, the programme has been refreshed to ensure that both CPCs and progress reviews can be tailored as appropriate to support local and combined authorities navigating next steps and priorities in relation to LGR and devolution.

The LGA will also provide leadership programmes to ensure local government has the skills and knowledge needed to deliver for communities, including through times of change.

Last year, more than 2,000 councillor placements were hosted on programmes such as Leadership Academy, Leadership Essentials, and Next Generation.

The LGA also provides recruitment and graduate development programmes, including the ‘Make a Difference, Work for your Local Council’ campaign and the 'Retention and Reset' programme.

Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: “This year’s Sector Support programme comes at a critical time for local government, which is going through its biggest reorganisation in 50 years.

“Our councillor and officer peers are at the heart of our offers and continue to provide highly valued, expert support. No one understands local government better than those with direct experience. LGA peers are uniquely equipped to support and advise.

“This is alongside our established assurance and improvement tools, such as our Corporate Peer Challenge – which is consistently rated by councils as having a positive impact on their performance – providing local authorities with robust and credible challenge and can be tailored to respond to times of change.

“Our wide-ranging programme will continue to provide local authorities with necessary support to deliver critical services, which residents rely on, while helping them to make the best of opportunities and drive improvement in their areas.

“Given the scale of change and challenges facing local government, it is crucial that councils continue to have access to the support they need.”