Open Letter: Response to the Abolition of NHS England - Transformation Opportunities for Local Government

The recent abolition of NHS England is more than a policy shift – it is a pivotal moment for local government leaders navigating the future of service delivery.​

As AI moves to the centre of public sector strategy, Agilisys is working with councils to ensure technology enhances, not disrupts, essential services. From streamlining EHCP creation to supporting social workers with AI-powered assessments, Agilisys’s solutions are already making a difference across the UK.​

In his latest open letter, Andrew Mindenhall, CEO of Agilisys, outlines his perspective on how AI is reshaping local government and the real-world impact that Agilisys EHCP and Needs Assessment products are having for local council teams.​

Andrew highlights how this period of change is an opportunity for local government leaders to shape the future of their communities. Agilisys welcomes the chance to connect and discuss these topics further, and encourages you to reach out via their website form, or by email at info@agilisys.co.uk​

💬 EDITOR’S INSIGHT

Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships to Mitigate Welfare Cuts

With welfare reductions and budget constraints tightening local government resources, decision-makers must rethink service delivery. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) offer a viable solution, leveraging the expertise and funding of charities, social enterprises, and private sector partners to offset financial pressures and sustain critical services.

1. Beyond Cost-Cutting: The Strategic Value of Partnerships

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation underscores that PPPs aren’t just a budget workaround they enhance service reach and efficiency. For example, local governments that partner with community organizations can access external funding, reducing reliance on shrinking public budgets.

2. Mental Health & Social Care: A Model for Smarter Collaboration

With rising demand for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) support and mental health services, PPPs have proven critical. The Department for Health and Social Care highlights that working with advocacy groups strengthens service delivery—a necessary move as funding for social care remains stretched.

3. A Blueprint for Local Government Success

Housing & Regeneration: Salford City Council’s £2.5 billion PPP regeneration scheme illustrates how strategic partnerships can drive affordable housing and economic growth.

Local governments must proactively structure partnerships, ensuring they align with community needs and financial realities. PPPs aren’t a quick fix but a long-term strategy for resilient public service delivery. With the right frameworks, councils can mitigate the impact of welfare cuts, enhance service efficiency, and create lasting social value.

 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CRISIS

'UK Councils Will Issue Bankruptcy Notices 'Like Confetti' Unless There's Reform'

UK councils confront potential financial collapse without immediate funding reform, pressing Somerset Council leader Bill Revans to criticise the reliance on council tax, anchored to 1991 property values, amidst escalating social care costs. This outdated funding approach amplifies financial strain on local governments, with 31 councils seeking exceptional financial support—a clear signal of a systemic issue rather than isolated cases.

The impending risk of insolvency looms large if the Department for Education's statutory override on the Dedicated Schools Grant remains unresolved beyond March 2026. Such a scenario could force councils to issue Section 114 notices, resulting in government-appointed commissioners taking drastic fiscal measures. Implementing additional council tax bands for high-value properties emerges as a stopgap solution pending long-term reform, underscoring the urgent need for decisive governmental intervention to avert widespread council bankruptcies.

LOCAL COUNCIL FUNDING

Funding Empowers Local Councils to Boost Independent Living Initiatives in Wales

The Welsh Government's strategic allocation of £2.2 million to the Disabled Facilities Grant marks an imperative initiative for enhancing independent living among older and disabled residents. This funding is pivotal for local councils aiming to implement bespoke home adaptations such as ramps and wider doorways, crucial for ensuring accessible living environments. These efforts are not just improvements in residents' quality of life but also alleviate pressures on the NHS by expediting hospital discharges.

Further, a notable £5.5 million capital investment secures future progress in independent living programmes, raising the 2025-26 capital budget to £25 million. This demonstrates a committed, forward-thinking approach to resource allocation, providing both capital and revenue enhancements. Local councils stand at the intersection of these developments, playing a critical role in leveraging this investment for sustainable community welfare improvements.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT FUNDING

Strategic £9 Million Investment Secures Nottinghamshire's Vital Bus Network Amidst Uncertainties

EVENT OF THE MONTH

Exclusive Insights on EHCP Plus 🚀​

Agilisys Transform are excited to co-host a webinar with Outcomes Matter Consulting to share key reflections from the Winter Cohort of EHCP Plus!​

EHCP Plus is already helping local authorities transform EHCP drafting, saving caseworkers time while improving quality. This session is your chance to hear directly from those using the tool - what is working, the real-world impact, and what is coming next!​

COUNCIL REORGANISATION

Scrapping Councils Would Save £20m a Year - Report

INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS

Britain’s Pothole Crisis: Could AI Save £17 Billion?

NAO REPORT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Rising Pressure on Local Government & How AI is Stepping In​​

The latest NAO report paints a stark picture of local government financial sustainability, with increasing difficulty in providing essential services. ​

Nowhere is this more apparent than in SEND support, where the number of EHC plan appeals has surged from 6,000 in 2018 to 15,600 in 2023 - 98% of which were ruled in favour of the child. This signals a system under immense strain, with families struggling for timely support and caseworkers battling unmanageable workloads. #​

That’s why Agilisys built EHCP Plus - a Generative AI-powered tool that assists caseworkers in drafting EHC plans in just 15 minutes, saving up to six hours per case. By improving plan quality and giving caseworkers more time with families, Agilisys helps local authorities do more with limited resources. Want to see the impact for yourself? Get in touch with the Agilisys team to learn how EHCP Plus is transforming SEND provision.

 COUNCIL RESTRUCTURING RISKS

Proposed Council Reforms Threaten Key Local Funding Streams and Stability

Proposed alterations to England's council structures forewarn of significant risks, notably funding cuts, with the potential to destabilise local procurement processes. This situation poses a direct threat to the continuity of essential services and the financial health of councils, demanding urgent legislative clarity to mitigate any impending disruptions.

Local authorities must meticulously scrutinise these restructuring plans, conducting comprehensive impact assessments to ensure economic stability. Harnessing strategic insight and clear communication between councils and the government becomes imperative, underscoring the necessity for decisive and informed governance to navigate these looming challenges effectively.

PLANNING REFORMS

Government Moves to Limit Councillors' Role in Planning Sparks Concerns

The Local Government Association (LGA) firmly opposes the proposed legislative reforms that might shift decision-making powers from councillors to planning officers. The reforms, encapsulated in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, could significantly alter the traditional role of planning committees, described as the "backbone of the English planning system" by the LGA. Under these changes, planning officers would gain increased authority to approve applications aligning with local plans and the National Planning Policy Framework, risking diminished local democratic influence. The LGA asserts that such a shift could undermine the integral role of councillors in understanding and addressing community-specific needs.

Councils currently approve 90% of planning applications, a statistic underscoring their effectiveness and local insight. Concerns are also raised by rural community representatives, like the County Councils Network, who fear the dilution of councillor input may erode local voices, particularly in rural areas where developments have disproportionate impacts. Moreover, diminishing public engagement and consultation opportunities could fortify national priorities over local concerns, weakening community efforts to challenge large-scale projects. Although developers welcome these changes for expediting processes, apprehensions linger about the long-term implications for local governance and democracy.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS 🗳️