Devolution: We’re in this together

Big changes, shared journey

By now, most councils are well aware of what devolution and reorganisation mean — in theory, at least. But in practice? The situation is fluid and fast-moving, a high-stakes scenario with an end goal that isn’t always clear. With new structures taking shape, the pressure is on to deliver services, support teams, and keep residents informed, all at once. The real challenge lies in helping councils cut through the complexity and stay focused on what truly matters: Serving their residents to the best of their ability.

Six local authority areas are already in the Devolution Priority Programme, but while councils await this process, they are simultaneously preparing for shadow elections and the implementation of new unitary councils in 2026.

What councils are facing

Jonathan Bradley, senior experience partner at Granicus, has been working closely with councils since before the devolution journey began. Thanks to the insight gained through close collaboration with so many of our clients, he’s been able to highlight the three key challenges that devolution will bring to the public sector:

• Resident engagement: “Engaging with residents via two-way communications and taking them on a journey through the process is essential,” he explains. Without this, public confidence in devolution plans can falter.
• Internal support for staff and teams: Staff might feel uncertain about their roles in a reorganised structure. “Internal communication with staff and partners should not be undervalued,” says Jonathan. Sensitivity and clarity are key at this moment.
• Legacy pitfalls and how to avoid them: As councils merge, there’s a risk of carrying over outdated systems. Given this, Jonathan urges councils to follow the government’s blueprint for modern digital services to avoid inefficient practices.

How Granicus can help

We’re not just talking about devolution — we’re actively supporting councils through it. Here’s how:

• Digital transformation: From automating services to improving resident engagement, our tools help councils modernise and streamline operations. For example, one council in Surrey has used Granicus tech to automate garden waste subscriptions, freeing up staff for higher-value work.
• Strategic communications: We help councils build trust with residents and staff through clear, consistent messaging, especially during times of change.
• Community building: Our Engagement Benchmark Report shows that councils with strong subscriber networks are better equipped to communicate during transitions and are therefore better able to build long-term resilience.

The Devolution Hub: Your go-to resource

The Devolution Hub is designed to help councils:

• Understand what’s changing and why.
• Learn from others already on the journey.
• Access tools and templates for planning and communication.
• Connect with peers and Granicus experts.

Let’s do this together

Devolution isn’t just a policy; it’s a people process. It’s about building stronger, more responsive local government organisations. And while the road ahead might be complex, it’s also full of opportunity.