Annex 1 – Implementation workstream/theme focus

Programme management office

Resource and mobilise PMO

Oversee implementation of target operating model and complete delivery of implementation plans for all services

Resource and mobilise delivery workstreams

Establish and operate programme governance structures, oversight and assurance

Resource planning for shadow period activity

Coordinate development of target operating model and detailed transition/implementation planning for all services

Transformation programme mobilisation

Communications and engagement

Develop and deliver transition external communications and engagement strategy

Vesting day and post vesting day communications (internal and external)

Develop and deliver transition internal communications and engagement strategy

Develop Vesting day communications strategy (internal and external

Brand development

Brand roll out

Evaluation and feedback

Legal, governance and electoral

Structural change orders and other legal advice and support

Ensure legal compliance on Vesting Day

Prepare and run unitary elections

Creation of shadow authorities, shadow council appointments and structures

Shadow member induction

Ongoing member training

Establish data governance / records management protocols

Develop constitutions for the new authorities, including arrangements for scrutiny, standards, risk management, and independent assurance

Implement constitution and arrangements for scrutiny, standards, risk management, and independent assurance

Plan for governance arrangements of Local Authority owned companies and their specific transitional requirements

Deliver arrangements for transition of Local Authority owned companies

Plan community governance and empowerment approach

Undertake community governance reviews as appropriate and or run community empowerment structures in shadow form

Implement structures for community governance and empowerment

Finance, debt, procurement and revenues and benefits

Formal collation and review of baseline information and development of workstream plan including risk management

MTFPs and budget setting for the new authorities (2027/28)

MTFPs and budget setting for 2028/29)

Plan for and where possible deliver alignment of financial, procurement, and revenues and benefits processes, procedures and systems

Deliver arrangements for transition of financial, procurement and revenues and benefits

Consolidation of financial arrangements including Council Tax equalisation, HRA, service budgets, banking, transactions, payments and receipts

2026/27 accounts closure

Develop Debt and Treasury Management transition plan

Deliver Debt and Treasury Management transition plan

Human resources and organisational development

Formal collation and review of baseline information and development of workstream plan including risk management

Workforce planning / organisation design for new authorities and change management strategy

Staff support, wellbeing, and training (including change management / resilience)

Trade union consultation and negotiation

Resourcing plan for shadow period roles and recruitment

Appointment of statutory officers and senior management teams to new authorities

Formal appointment of other layers of staffing

Identify and where possible progress shared posts for appropriate lower-tier authority vacancies

Arrangements for payroll, terms and conditions and TUPE

Plan for and implement harmonisation of terms and conditions

Develop health and safety transition plan

Deliver health and safety transition plan

Develop and embed organisation values, culture and ways of working for new authorities

Plan for and where possible deliver alignment of HR processes, procedures and systems

Deliver arrangements for transition of HR processes, procedures and systems

Data, IT and Systems

Formal collation and review of baseline information and development of workstream plan including contracts and risk management

Agree and deliver arrangements for cyber security, disaster recovery and business continuity

Ensure compliance on Vesting Day

Establish data management and sharing protocols

Deliver arrangements for consolidation and transition of data, ICT processes, procedures and systems

Plan for and where possible deliver alignment and consolidation of ICT processes, procedures and systems

Develop single platform for new authorities including web, email and telephony (staff/members/public)

Launch on Vesting Day

Develop digital strategy

Assets and Estate

Formal collation and review of baseline information and development of workstream plan including risk management

Plan for and where possible deliver alignment and consolidation of asset management processes, policies and systems

Deliver arrangements for alignment and consolidation of asset management processes, policies and systems

Review asset database to inform asset rationalisation, investment and disposal strategy

Finalise and then deliver asset rationalisation, investment and disposal strategy

Transition to new operational asset bases (offices, customer contact points, depots)

Customer contact

Develop customer contact transition plan

Develop and communicate abut single platform for new authorities including web, email and telephony (staff/members/public)

Launch on Vesting Day

Plan for and where possible deliver alignment of customer contact processes, policies and systems including complaints handling

Deliver arrangements for alignment and consolidation of customer contact processes, policies and systems

Community governance and neighbourhood empowerment

Options assessment and engagement in relation to future community governance and neighbourhood empowerment structures

Progress to deliver preferred option for informal and/or formal community empowerment structures

Devolution

Early discussions and agreement with government about process and timetable for MSA establishment

Commence formal process for establishment of MSA. Note that this will require establishment of a dedicated PMO and associated delivery workstreams

Possible Mayoral elections May 2027