As the conversation around devolution and local government reform sharpens, the tension between centralisation and meaningful local autonomy is more palpable than ever. Councils across the country are navigating expansion, mergers, and restructuring – all while striving to maintain a strong sense of place and identity for their communities.
On 14th July 2025, we’ll be convening our Place Community of Practice once again, bringing together place-based leaders to ask: what does it mean to lead place well in the face of increasing pressure?
Helen Bailey
We’re thrilled to be joined by Helen Bailey, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Sutton, who brings deep insight from decades of working across central and local government. Together, we’ll explore:
- How can councils protect local identity while adapting to structural change?
- How do we avoid recreating new silos in the name of reform?
- And crucially, how do we ensure power remains close to people, not drifting ever upwards?
Whether you’re navigating LGR, exploring new governance models, or simply trying to hold onto a sense of what ‘place’ means in your locality, this session is for you.
📍 Balancing devolution and centralisation – how do we make place-based leadership meaningful without creating new silos or hidden costs?
🗓️ 14 July 2025
🕓 Time: 12pm – 1.30pm
📩 To join, contact theo.miller@leadershipcentre.org.uk