The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has published its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Guidance, providing licensing practitioners, managers and local government stakeholders with a clear, practical and authoritative resource to support the transition to new unitary authorities across England.
Developed by the IoL’s Local Government Policy Committee, the guidance responds directly to the scale of change now underway as councils prepare for structural reform and, in many areas, parallel devolution arrangements. With widespread reorganisation planned, the guidance sets out what licensing teams need to know, what they need to do, and how they can position licensing as a core public protection and regulatory service within the new authorities.
A practical roadmap for licensing teams
The guidance provides detailed support across every stage of reorganisation, including:
- Understanding LGR and devolution – clarifying the distinction between structural reform and the transfer of powers, and explaining how both are increasingly delivered together.
- Before vesting day – covering early team integration, business‑as‑usual continuity, data preparation, IT systems, policy harmonisation, governance arrangements, and communication planning.
- On and after vesting day – outlining the legal transfer of functions, establishment of committees and delegations, and the steps needed to maintain safe, lawful service delivery.
- Building a sustainable licensing service – providing a structured business case model, highlighting licensing’s statutory role, cost‑recovery potential, and contribution to economic growth.
- Communications and culture – emphasising the importance of internal engagement, external messaging, and partnership working with police, fire, public health and other regulators.
The guidance also includes detailed sections on adoptive legislation, taxi and private hire considerations, enforcement protocols, HR matters, and risk management.
Supporting licensing professionals through change
The IoL’s LGR & Devolution Hub complements the written guidance with:
- Regularly updated national policy developments
- Targeted news and consultation alerts via the LGR & Devolution SIG
- Member forum discussions for shared learning
- Links to external resources including government and LGA guidance
These tools are designed to help licensing teams navigate the complexity of reorganisation while ensuring continuity, consistency and strong public protection.
Paul Adams, IoL Chief Executive, said:
“Local government reorganisation represents one of the most significant shifts in local governance for a generation. Licensing sits at the heart of public protection, economic vitality and community wellbeing, and it is essential that the service is properly supported through this transition.
“Our new guidance and resource hub give licensing professionals the clarity, structure and practical tools they need to prepare confidently for change. With the right planning and collaboration, licensing can emerge stronger, more consistent and better positioned to serve communities across newly formed authorities.
“I would like to thank the IoL’s Local Government Policy Committee members for the input and contribution in the development of the IoL’s LGR guidance.”
Kate Nicholl, IoL National Chair, said:
“This guidance lands at a pivotal moment for licensing, following the sector’s engagement in the Licensing Sprint and alongside a renewed national conversation about devolution. As powers increasingly move to mayoral and strategic authorities, it is essential that licensing is recognised as a core public protection and growth-enabling function within those new structures.
The IoL has been actively involved in shaping that agenda, and this guidance reflects the same spirit of collaboration, innovation and practical reform—ensuring that licensing professionals are ready to support new governance models, make the case for effective local decision-making, and contribute confidently to the next phase of devolution.”
