The Transformation Network is a group for officers working in change management, organisational development, and transformation within local government. Members meet to discuss policy developments fresh thinking and techniques, network, and learn about other councils’ transformation projects.
Our Transformation programme is informed by two groups of local government officers – the Transformation Network and the Behaviour Change Leads Group (BCLG). These groups give officers valuable opportunities to learn new techniques, network, share notable practice, and hear from guest speakers.
What is the Transformation Network?
Local government requires officers who can innovate and transform services and they need to hold the skills, knowledge, and capacity to stimulate meaningful change for the workforce and community.
As part of the LGA transformation support offer, we convene an officer group to help inform the LGA’s work and support councils with their transformation needs. This network is designed to support officers working in transformation, change and innovation roles within local government.
What we do
The network discusses emerging issues and trends affecting councils and hears from each other and guests on new policies, programmes, and practices. The network identifies obstacles and facilitators to implementing change policies or solutions.
Crucial to our group is having the space to share support, opportunities, and good practice. The composition of the Transformation Network is representative of councils across England and is led by councils, for councils.
The secretariat function is held by the LGA and the network is led by:
Chair: Clare Rowley, Head of Transformation at Lincolnshire County Council
Vice chair: Adrian Stockbridge, Assistant Director Transformation, Surrey County Council
The network heard from Kirklees Council, which shared insights on the evolution of its Programme Management Office (PMO). The presentation highlighted the shift from a light-touch enabling model to a directive, standards-led approach between 2023 and 2025. This has included developing processes and a decision-making framework, which have improved project prioritisation, transparency, and risk management.
Then, Chorley and South Ribble Council led a member discussion on AI integration within PMO operations. They shared their experience piloting Microsoft Copilot to manage around 200 projects and invited reflections on how AI can support project oversight, reporting, and resource allocation.
The standing LGA item provided an overview of their transformation tools, featuring the LGA LGA Transformation Innovation Exchange and the forthcoming training programme, with pilot delivery planned for early 2026.
The network heard from the West of England Combined Authority, which shared insights from their Digital Office pilot. The presentation focused on benefit realisation and return on investment, using a flexible evaluation framework aligned to business case milestones. Challenges around measuring efficiency gains and balancing short-term reporting with long-term outcomes were discussed, with interim findings expected in 2026.
Reading Borough Council led a member request session on centralising corporate functions. They shared their review of business support, communications, data, and project management roles, and invited reflections from other councils. Members highlighted the importance of clear role definitions, transparency, and cultural discipline to sustain change.
St Helens Borough Council initiated a discussion on transformation operating models and team structures. The conversation emphasised the need to embed evaluation early, maintain a strong narrative around transformation benefits, and ensure staff engagement throughout delivery.
The standing item on LGR and devolution covered updates on statutory orders, workforce planning, and financial strategy. Members discussed the importance of realistic benefits profiles, staff consultation, and union engagement.
The network heard from Essex County Council, which led a discussion on building skills and capabilities for transformation. They shared insights on their extensive in-house competency framework, associated training offer for staff, and an overview of the change practice services that enable transformation in the council.
The LGA and PUBLIC shared an update on the emerging officer transformation training offer that will provide several modules of learning to equip officers with the knowledge to deliver transformation. The Programme will be based on the core principles of our Transformation Capability Framework and is intended to enhance and standardise the skills, knowledge, and understanding of transformation across the sector and will include a dedicated LGR module.
The last item focused on the LGA Transformation Action Learning Workshop offer, which is now open for expressions of interest. They are half-day workshops for officers and elected members to work through transformation challenges together with a cohort of councils through an action learning based environment.
At this meeting of the Network, Surrey County Council shared its behavioural science-led approach to transformation. Using models such as COM-B, Surrey is embedding behaviour change into its transformation strategy to support long-term impact and staff readiness, particularly in the context of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
The group then heard from the London Borough of Merton, which presented its “Build a Better Merton Together” programme. This initiative, aligned with the 2023–2026 Council Plan, focuses on embedding change across four key themes: people and culture, story and reputation, customer and digital, and financial sustainability. The team highlighted the importance of internal collaboration and diverse perspectives in driving meaningful transformation.
The Transformation Network heard from Buckinghamshire Council, which shared insights from their AI pilot in children’s services. Tools like Co-pilot and Magic Notes have helped streamline documentation and workload management, improving efficiency and work-life balance. The presentation also addressed ethical considerations and workforce implications, with a focus on building robust governance frameworks to support future AI adoption.
The LGA presented findings from a discovery exercise on digital convergence during LGR. Drawing on experiences at Dorset Council, it highlighted the importance of digital maturity, ethical practices, and cyber resilience. The session explored how reorganisations impact digital transformation and the need for agile, inclusive digital infrastructures.
At the first meeting of the year, we worked with members of the network to gather topics for future meetings. As part of the exercise, we compiled a list of priority topics that have been requested for discussion. Devolution & LGR, AI, Benefits Realisation, Culture Change, Data, Skills and PMOs were among the popular topics selected.
Following this, the network heard a briefing from the LGA on the English Devolution White Paper which included a confidential discussion for members to share their thoughts and views on this emerging policy area for the sector.
At the end of the meeting, colleagues heard from Shared Intelligence who have been commissioned by the LGA to deliver ‘Transformation Action Learning Sets’ with several councils. They shared insights into the themes covered within the support offer that range from delivery models for ALMOs, to customer data to strategic budget management.
The Network heard an update from Cornwall Council about their approach to transformation with a particular focus on their ‘Transformation Operating Model’ (TOM). It provided insights into the model which integrates agile methodologies, digital and technology skills and tools to align with the corporate organisational objectives and change initiatives.
Colleagues also heard from Brighton and Hove City Council about leadership development and creating an environment that promotes skills enhancement, diversity and assured leaders that support a culture of testing and learning.
The final speaker in this session was from Bristol City Council, who provided an update on the importance of ‘Change Influencer/Champion Networks’ to drive change and empowerment across workforces that work with staff to build a culture of buy-in and collaboration.
The Network heard from Kent County Council and London Borough of Barnet on the relevance of ‘Systems Thinking and Leadership’ approaches within local government and transformation projects. Colleagues shared the use of these approaches in public health, internal organisational dynamics and strategies, and working with partners in the NHS.
Stockton on Tees Brough Council presented to the Network on their emerging transformation programme with a focus on using an early intervention and prevention model aimed at tackling community challenges and budget issues through systemic change. Colleagues highlighted the importance of using data, prioritising resources, and operational constraints in their transformation efforts. The project is built around three main areas: community support, complex needs, and children and families.
LGA colleagues shared an update on the upcoming LGA Technology Innovation Showcase. This initiative encourages councils to submit technology challenges that AI and smart tech might solve, the showcase event on 14 November will be where potential solutions are presented. The focus is on promoting and aligning challenges within a safe but dynamic market engagement process with suitable vendors.
The Network heard from the West Midlands Combined Authority on the current programme of work to create a research and intelligence ecosystem for the region that enhances the role of data in transformation projects and decision making. Colleagues also heard from St Helen Borough Council on their prioritisation methodology matrix. The tool that they have created allows them to work across the organisation to understand what transformation and change projects can be resourced to have maximum impact on the delivery of services for the council.
The Network also heard from LGA staff on the recent LGA Local Government White Paper working with the new government to illustrate the challenges facing local government. The Transformation Team updated on the Transformation Partner Pilot where councils with particular transformation challenges are matched with officers/councillors from local authorities with specific expertise to aid in the capacity and delivery of projects.
The Network discussed the upcoming submission of Productivity Plans as requested by central government. Colleagues shared insights into how councils are writing the plans, consulting members and using the plans to enhance the uniqueness of their authorities through this reporting mechanism.
Newcastle Under-Lyme Borough Council presented on benefit realisation and impact tracker model that is used within their One Council Transformation Programme to baseline data to estimate organisation benefits from projects on time, FTE, salary cost, carbon impact, income and cost avoidance.
DLUHC presented a proposed improvement support offer, Transformation Partners Pilot. This is a new pilot programme building on the Transformation Peers programme whereby councils with particular transformation challenges are matched with officers/councillors from local authorities with specific expertise. LGA is open for thoughts and comments on the pilot, for more information please get in touch via [email protected]
Kate Lindley from Change Network provided an update on the Transformation Capability Framework ahead of its formal launch at the LGA Transformation Conference on Tuesday 26 March.
The transformation capability framework has been created in partnership with councils, for councils. It sets out 'what good looks like' so that councils can make sure they have the capabilities they need in place to deliver sustainable and effective transformation.
Get involved
The group is open to new members who work in relevant officer roles for a local authority. If you would like to join, please submit an expression of interest form. If accepted, you will be added to the membership list and invited to all future meetings.
