Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – Support for Midlands Museums

Resources

Local Government Reorganisation: museum readiness resources

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will bring significant change to local authority structures across England between 2026 and 2028. To support museums through this period, Arts Council England has developed a set of practical resources to help services prepare.

These are particularly relevant for leaders in local authority–owned and operated museum services, but also include guidance for independent museums and those reliant on local authority support.

 https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/supporting-arts-museums-and-libraries/supporting-museums/museums-readiness-checklist-local-government-reorganisation-lgr

 What the resources cover

The readiness checklist is designed to help museums:

• understand their current service operations

• identify key risks and responsibilities

• evidence the value their museum delivers

• prepare for planning within new authority structures

This work is intended to support informed decision-making during transition and ensure museums are well positioned in new arrangements.

Available resources:

• Museums readiness checklist
  A practical checklist covering the key actions museums can take to prepare, plan and advocate during LGR.

• Data audit prompts
  A set of prompts to help gather essential information about your service, including dependencies, risks and key data needed for planning.

• Arts Council England Museums LGR Presentation
  An overview of how LGR may impact museums, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and the support available from Arts Council England to help museums navigate structural changes and maintain sustainable, resilient services.

• Museums LGR resources List
  A curated collection of guidance, tools, case studies and key contacts to support museums in understanding and responding effectively to LGR.

For independent and local authority–reliant museums

The checklist also includes specific guidance to support advocacy and help you prepare for potential changes in local authority support and funding.

MDM Support

• 1:1 Advice Surgeries, including ‘Stronger Museums’ advice: https://www.mdmidlands.org.uk/1-1-support

• MDM Grants page: https://www.mdmidlands.org.uk/grants

• Training Events: https://www.mdmidlands.org.uk/upcoming-events

• Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with support, training and funding: https://www.mdmidlands.org.uk/newsletter-signup

• Email: enquiries@MDMidlands.org.uk

Case Studies

Museum Development South East Case Studies: https://mdse.org.uk/resource-library/local-government-reorganisation-devolution-and-museums/