Shaping the future, not chasing it
Local government is at a pivotal moment. We’re managing real pressures today, working within a tighter financial framework that was shaped 15 years ago.
But we also need to look ahead: where will we be in the next 15 years?
While we focus on immediate demands, the world around us is shifting – through neighbourhood renewal, the prospect of widespread unitary reorganisation and the emergence of a stronger regional tier of governance. These forces often pull in different directions.
Many residents value the traditions and identities that define their communities, yet increasingly expect modern, seamless services and smarter use of technology.
Balancing both sets of expectations grows more complex every year.
It’s in this demanding environment that the LGA has launched LG Horizons – a two-year programme designed to help councils look beyond immediate pressures and actively prepare for the opportunities and risks of the decade ahead.
I see how difficult it is for councils to carve out time for long‑term thinking when short‑term pressures are relentless. Yet we’re working within a public service model built for a different era, which isn’t equipped for the demands of the 2030s and 2040s.
If we rely only on incremental change, we risk entrenching systems that are already outdated and missing wider shifts – such as climate change, demographic pressures, rising complexity of need and technological change – that will shape what communities need in the decades ahead.
LG Horizons gives councils space to step back and consider the bigger picture.
As we look ahead to 2040, what big changes will shape local government? How will the role and purpose of councils need to evolve? What needs to be in place for real, lasting change? How should councils rethink their relationships – with residents, partners and government? Through research, workshops and practical tools, LG Horizons creates a space for councils to explore these questions together.
Councils have been clear: we need support that goes beyond managing continual crises. We need the insight and head space to understand where the sector is heading and to influence the reforms that will shape our future.
LG Horizons aims to build futures capability across councils, share evidence and intelligence, and provide future‑focused peer support – strengthening decision‑making today while helping build more resilient communities for tomorrow.
A flagship part of the programme, LG2040, brings together councils, place‑focused organisations and leading thinkers to explore the forces that will shape local government over the next 15 years.
“We risk entrenching systems that are already outdated and missing wider shifts that will shape what communities need in the decades ahead”
The 2040 horizon is deliberate: far enough away to rise above day‑to‑day pressures, but close enough to inform the choices we’re making now.
Crucially, LG2040 goes beyond visioning. Later phases will turn long‑term thinking into practical, near‑term decisions on service design, investment and local priorities.
LG Horizons also provides a platform for the LGA to amplify the voice of local government in national reform – ensuring councils help shape change, rather than simply adapt to it.
At a time of significant uncertainty, LG Horizons offers something essential: the ability to look ahead, understand what’s coming and shape the future of local public services proactively.
As council leaders, we have a responsibility not only to manage today’s pressures, but also to prepare confidently for the world our communities will inherit. As part of this work, we warmly invite you to an LGA Smith Square Debate, ‘LG2040: the state of things to come’ on 26 March, when we’ll explore these long‑term challenges and opportunities in more depth. It’s an important chance for leaders from across the sector to shape the conversation – and the future – together.
- For more information, contact lghorizons@local.gov.uk