Matt Hickley
Public Sector Lead
Bellrock Technologies
The publication of the English Devolution White Paper, Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, marks a pivotal moment for local authorities across England. As Public Sector Lead of Bellrock Technologies, I work closely with over 35% of local authorities, engaging in regular discussions with Estates Directors. It is clear that these reforms will have a profound impact on how local government estates are managed, requiring a new level of collaboration, technology adoption, and data-driven decision-making to drive efficiencies.
A period of uncertainty and opportunity
While the white paper outlines an ambitious strategy to decentralise power away from Westminster, the details remain unclear. The government’s vision is to create Strategic Authorities (SAs) that bring councils together, consolidating services and budgets. However, local authorities are still uncertain about how these changes will be implemented and which category they will fall under. The three new classifications are:
- Foundation Strategic Authorities: Existing non-mayoral combined authorities and combined county authorities, as well as any local authority designated as a Strategic Authority without a Mayor.
- Mayoral Strategic Authorities: Existing mayoral areas will automatically be included.
- Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities: Existing mayoral authorities that meet specific eligibility criteria.
What is evident is that local authorities and councils are already facing significant funding challenges. While collaboration offers a long-term opportunity to drive efficiencies, it also requires upfront investment. In estate management alone, the creation of a shared view of assets, a centralised helpdesk, and a unified approach to procurement could generate significant cost savings. However, merging systems, aligning data strategies, and implementing new ways of working will come with short-term costs and logistical challenges.
The strategic authorities and estate management
Under the new model, SAs will be responsible for a consolidated budget spanning housing, planning, transport, energy, skills, and employment support. This restructuring offers a unique opportunity for local authorities to redefine estate management strategies that reflect local needs, address regional disparities, and drive efficiency.
As local authorities merge into larger, more complex governance structures, they will inherit more extensive estates to manage. This means that estate teams will need to rethink how they oversee assets, maintenance schedules, and compliance across broader geographical areas. The key to successfully navigating this transition will be collaboration, both among councils and with technology providers who can deliver scalable solutions to support this new way of working.
A once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity for data-led transformation
This transformation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for local authorities to reimagine the technology and workflows that underpin estate management. Many councils have been operating on legacy systems with limited interoperability, leading to inefficiencies, duplication of work, and siloed data. Now, there is a clear opportunity to:
- Implement centralised estate management platforms that provide a single, real-time view of assets and maintenance schedules across entire regions.
- Use predictive analytics and AI to optimise resource allocation, energy efficiency, and compliance monitoring.
- Establish inter-authority data-sharing protocols to enable better decision-making, benchmarking, and strategic planning.
- Develop regional procurement frameworks that leverage collective buying power to drive down costs and improve service quality.
As Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner stated, “The British people deserve an economy that works for the whole country, with control over the things that matter to them.” For estate teams, this means having the tools and insights needed to deliver better public services, reduce costs, and future-proof public assets.
Mayoral leadership and the implications for estate strategies
A key component of the white paper is the expansion of mayoral leadership, which the government believes will drive better decision-making and service delivery. While this model has been successful in places like Greater Manchester, Greater London, and the West Midlands, some local leaders argue that a mayoral structure may not suit every region.
The government has made it clear that areas opting for a mayor will receive greater powers and funding incentives, while those without mayors will have fewer freedoms when establishing a Strategic Authority. This raises critical considerations for estate management. With increased autonomy, local authorities with mayors may have more flexibility to invest in digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and innovative infrastructure projects.
Funding and capacity challenges
While the white paper provides a compelling vision for devolution, its success will ultimately depend on addressing funding and capacity constraints. Many councils have experienced over a decade of budget cuts, leaving them struggling to maintain even basic services. Without adequate financial support, the scale of these reforms could overwhelm local authorities rather than empower them.
For devolution to succeed, the government must ensure that:
- Funding commitments match the scale of new responsibilities, with long-term financial settlements that provide certainty for local authorities.
- Additional investment is provided to support the initial transition costs of integrating estate management systems and processes.
- Capacity-building initiatives help equip estate teams with the skills and resources needed to manage expanded estates effectively.
- Data governance frameworks ensure secure, compliant, and standardised information sharing across councils.
Conclusion
The English Devolution white paper represents a major shift in how local government operates, presenting both challenges and opportunities for estate management. As councils merge into larger authorities, they will need to adopt new approaches to technology, data sharing, and collaboration to manage their expanded estates efficiently.
This is a defining moment for local authorities to embrace digital transformation and establish best-in-class estate management strategies that benefit communities across the UK. Those that take a proactive approach now will be best positioned to thrive in this new era of devolved governance.
