Preparing for change with confidence
Reorganisation is a familiar challenge for local government. Councils have merged into larger authorities, split into smaller ones, and joined or left shared planning arrangements. Each shift puts pressure on planning teams - boundaries must be redrawn, systems reconciled, and data kept accurate and accessible to all stakeholders.
Traditional systems often struggle. Data that was previously easy to access becomes siloed. But OpusMap was built with change in mind. Councils who already use OpusMap are better placed to adapt quickly, maintain service continuity, and avoid costly disruption.
In part this is because with OpusMap, data and maps sit in the cloud and both users and stakeholders only need a browser to access them.
It’s also because both our continuous release policy - where updates are inclusive of your license - and our support services are tailored to ensure continuity of service through any transition or reorganisation.
We can help you navigate a digital plan making path through reorganisation.
Why reorganisation tests planning systems
- Changing boundaries - allocations, sites, and policies need to be merged or reassigned.
- Team restructuring - workflows and IT services shift or become jammed as personnel, your internal skills base and available resources change.
- Data integrity risks - legacy systems can’t easily reconcile changes in management and resources with continuity of service. Ongoing data management, format and output requirements are disrupted.
- Continuity pressure - stakeholders still expect reliable plans throughout reorganisation. Doing nothing isn’t an option.
How OpusMap helps
- Spatial flexibility - update maps and data with new authority boundaries without starting again. Legacy, emerging and new plans can run side-by-side without loss of integrity or quality.
- Digital resilience - schema-compliant data, open APIs, and continuous release keep your maps and data resilient and future-ready. You keep your maps and data moving forward in line with new workflows and processes.
- Consistent output - interactive maps explain planning changes clearly and visually, whatever the governance structure.
With OpusMap digital plan making and stakeholder engagement don’t have to be compromised during reorganisation.
Our track record
For 25 years, we’ve helped councils navigate major change, including:
- Planning reforms (LDF → NPPF, Neighbourhood Plans, Digital First Planning)
- Merging councils into new unitaries
- Scaling up to joint planning teams
- Returning to independent working after shared service break-ups
In every case, OpusMap reduced downtime, protected data, and kept plan-making on track.
Why now?
The upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act and ongoing Local Government Review mean another wave of change is approaching. Councils that invest in adaptable digital infrastructure now will not only manage disruption but also improve transparency, consistency, and collaboration.
If your authority is anticipating reorganisation, now is the time to explore OpusMap’s capabilities.
Get in touch to arrange a tailored demonstration of the full Opus System combined of OpusConsult and OpusMap - and see how we can help you avoid the digital pitfalls of reorganisation and stay proactive in digital plan making and engagement.