Delivering Through Change
Over 40% of councils do not believe they are well positioned to deliver their current infrastructure ambitions.
Delivering Through Change is SCAPE's new national research report, developed with the Local Government Information Unit, exploring the pressures facing local authorities in England, and the practical solutions needed to safeguard delivery.
It is a snapshot of where local government stands today, but also a potential roadmap for strengthening resilience and accelerating project delivery in the years ahead.
Where local authority delivery is under strain
0%
expect local government reorganisation or devolution to negatively affect their ability to deliver capital or infrastructure projects.
0%
cite cost inflation or market volatility as the primary cause of constraints on delivery.
0%
do not think their council is well positioned to deliver on its current infrastructure and capital project ambitions.
0%
see trusted frameworks as a top priority for support needed in building long-term resilience.
Safeguarding local authority delivery during change
Delivering Through Change outlines practical ways local councils can be supported as they navigate significant economic and policy transition.
For two decades, SCAPE has worked with councils to accelerate procurement, strengthen capacity and de risk delivery in the public built environment, enabling projects to move from ambition to action with confidence.
We spoke to 70 senior local authority officers, directors and heads of service from 63 councils across England. Their insights revealed that economic turbulence and a rapidly shifting national policy landscape are severely affecting councils’ ability to deliver vital regeneration, housing and infrastructure projects.
During a time of constant change, It is more important than ever to understand the impact of these pressures and to leverage that knowledge to bring stability for local councils.
Challenges we discovered
Major regeneration, housing and transport projects face greatest disruption
A sizeable number of local councils fear local government reorganisation will negatively impact their ability to deliver capital or infrastructure projects in the short term
Policy uncertainty and market volatility are delaying decision-making at the earliest stages
The greatest risk to delivery occurs before construction begins, at business case, planning and procurement stages
Capacity gaps turn uncertainty into delay: shortages in commercial expertise and recruitment pressures exacerbate volatility
Download the full report
Our Delivering Through Change report captures data from 70 senior local authority directors and heads of service from 63 councils in England.
Gain insight into where projects are most vulnerable, what councils are calling for, and how long-term frameworks can strengthen resilience during ongoing change.
Why this matters now
With local government reorganisation, devolution and funding uncertainty reshaping the landscape, maintaining delivery confidence has never been more critical.
Without greater certainty at the earliest stages of project development, long-term regeneration, housing and infrastructure ambitions risk delay.
Why frameworks are important in the built environment
57% of councils acknowledge that using trusted long-term frameworks will support them in delivering long-term resilience.
Frameworks provide a streamlined, compliant, and actively managed procurement route that enhances speed, improves value for money, and creates lasting social value and sustainable outcomes.
Our Delivering Through Change report highlighted shortages in commercial and early-stage expertise and this being a key reason projects aren’t being delivered.
40% of respondents highlighting that skills shortages are another major barrier to project delivery and when asked what support would help deliver long-term resilience, 57% of councils agreed that using trusted long-term frameworks would help achieve this.
Our trusted frameworks gives you:
- early contractor engagement
- access to the best delivery partners, via our accelerated delivery approach
- value for money
- public and private sector collaboration to enhance communities
