Strengthening Insight and Engagement Across Local Government: Key Themes and Next Steps

 

We recently hosted a knowledge exchange roundtable with insight and engagement leads & stakeholders from local authorities in London and beyond. This session focused on identifying shared priorities and opportunities for innovation as we head into the new financial year. The conversation highlighted the depth of ongoing work across councils—and the real opportunity to learn from one another.

 

Shared Priorities Across Local Government

 

Every participating organisation reported high levels of research and engagement activity, often focused on major issues such as regeneration and housing schemes. These common areas present a real opportunity for better knowledge sharing across councils.

A clear theme emerged around the need for stronger coordination, particularly as engagement, communications, and organisational change become more closely intertwined. Participants identified three levels of essential coordination:

• Within services – avoiding siloed consultation efforts
• Across internal functions – aligning change, comms, consultation, and engagement
• With external partners – especially important in the context of restructures and evolving governance models, such as with ICBs

It’s clear that engagement is now a top priority for Leaders and Chief Executives, with organisations like Solace spotlighting it as a critical part of the support offer to councils navigating reorganisation.  

 

Innovation: More Than Just Technology

 

We also explored emerging areas of innovation, including the potential of AI and synthetic populations in survey research. These tools could reshape how insight is generated—but come with cultural and regulatory considerations.

Importantly, innovation isn’t just about tech. Improving existing practices, like the methods we use for in-person engagement, can have a big impact on inclusion, reach, and effectiveness.

 

What’s Next

 

The group agreed on three practical next steps:

1. Explore a time-efficient community of practice to share learning on common challenges.
2. Review and circulate key themes and forward priorities for engagement and research.
3. Showcase innovations, starting with a session on synthetic populations—looking at their potential, barriers, and real-world application.

We’re excited to continue this work and build a collaborative, forward-looking space for local government engagement professionals. If your organisation is working through similar challenges or has insight to share, we’d love to connect.