English Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

In real life

Environmental Health delivers public health in real life. It is part of the public health system that makes the conditions for good health possible. Environmental health operates wherever people live, work and gather together: translating national policy into practical outcomes that improve population health, reduce inequalities, enable business growth and support sustainable communities. Environmental health is a principle, not a function: professionals operate across industries, the private, public and third sectors, in the military and in academia and their flexibility means that organisational structures vary. 

Environmental health uniquely protects the public by combining proactive prevention with effective regulation. It reduces risks before they escalate and enforces the standards that keep communities safe, healthy and resilient. It prevents illness, injuries and hazards early, enforces standards and holds risk creators accountable, works across interconnected systems and provides cost-effective population level impact through early action. And if an outbreak does arise, then environmental health is a key part of the emergency resilience network ensuring an effective local response. 

Public health in real life

Many environmental health services that are most closely linked with public health are delivered in local authorities. In England, Local Government Reorganisation will have ramifications for environmental health delivery. 

CIEH briefing - Local government reorganisation

Guidance on LGR documents:

CIEH plans to use these resources as part of its advocacy efforts on behalf of and in alignment with members and EHPs working for councils in the 21 LGR areas. These resources will help to make the case for the importance of the Environmental Health workforce to senior local government leaders and to offer recommendations on how to maximise the contribution of EHPS and the EH profession in their area throughout the LGR process.

If you work for a council in one of the 21 LGR areas:

CIEH staff are in the process of contacting county groups to understand more local issues and to introduce the new materials. Please get in touch with us if you would like to know what contact has already been made in your area or if you would like to invite us to a meeting. We want to support members throughout the LGR process and are keen to hear about the impacts of the changes that will be happening. 

English Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Implications for Environmental Health from the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 and LGR processes

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act is a restructuring of local and regional government in England, which aims to create a default framework for devolution. Local and regional government will be given new powers over areas like health, housing and economic development for devolved areas (for Strategic Authorities as they are named in the Act) across England.

The Act underlines a commitment to place-based, strategic governance that supports community empowerment while aligning with broader public sector reform initiatives such as the NHS's 10-Year Plan and the prevention agenda.

This Act carries significant implications for environmental health professionals, particularly those working within local authorities. The impact of LGR, the creation of new strategic authorities across England, and new powers and duties given to strategic authorities will directly impact their day-to-day functions. While the reforms present opportunities to raise the profile of environmental health within newly established governance structures, there is also a real risk to communities if the profession’s expertise and contributions are not adequately recognised and safeguarded.

Strategic restructuring: what is being proposed?

Key clause: Clause 45 – The New Health Inequalities Duty

Clause 45 introduces a statutory duty for all Combined and Combined County Authorities to actively reduce health inequalities in their areas.

Authorities will now be legally required to:

• Consider health improvement as part of all functions.
• Address health inequalities in regional policy and service delivery.

The 'Environmental Factors' amendment

Government Amendment 116, or the ‘Environmental Factors’ amendment to the health inequalities duty for Strategic Authorities expands the duty's list of general health determinants to include Environmental Factors such as 'air quality and access to green space and bodies of water'.

Implications:

• Aligns closely with NHS and Integrated Care System (ICS) objectives around population health.
• Offers opportunities for EHPs to engage with place-based public health delivery as advisers or commissioners.
• Reinforces environmental health's contribution to the wider prevention agenda within the profession.

CIEH advocacy and strategic alignment

Throughout the passage of the Bill, CIEH liaised with both the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Department of Health and Social Care, with a particular emphasis on the new bespoke duty introduced by the Bill. 

CIEH backed a Healthy Air Coalition amendment to the Bill, which was later mirrored by Government Amendment 116 and is now part of the Act. The CIEH Policy team is engaging stakeholders with the aim that the role of EHPs is reflected in forthcoming Government guidance.

Strategic alignment

The Act arrives at a time when the NHS is undergoing its own reform, with a renewed focus on prevention, early intervention, and cross-sector integration through the 10-Year Plan. The creation of new regional governance bodies under Clause 45 could mirror or align with similar structures in NHS and ICB configurations.

EHPs are uniquely placed to bridge gaps across environmental, health, and housing domains - making them valuable actors in this reformed landscape. However, this will be realised only if their roles are clearly defined and embedded in strategic decision-making structures.

Risks and challenges: The potential for marginalisation

As services are restructured and roles become more regionalised:

• EHPs will need the profession to be formally integrated into the governance of new authorities.
• Understanding of place-based public health needs will need to span unitary authority boundaries.
• EHP expertise in housing, food safety, air quality and health protection must be considered by the leadership teams in the new authorities.

If these measures are not put in place, CIEH would be concerned about possible risks to the visibility and influence of Environmental Health, which may lead to less effective public health services without these elements in place.

Next steps: Supporting the profession through change

CIEH is closely monitoring the progression of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and its implications for the environmental health profession. We have already been engaging with relevant ministers and stakeholders to ensure the voice of Environmental Health is represented during this crucial period of reform.

We are committed to keeping our members informed and equipped to navigate the changes ahead. As the Bill develops, we will:

• Continue our engagement with government and key decision-makers to advocate for the vital role of Environmental Health Practitioners.
• Highlight the profession’s critical contributions to prevention, public health improvement, and community resilience.
• Provide timely updates and resources to support members as new governance structures take shape.

Next steps for Environmental Health and English Devolution

We will continue to engage with the relevant Government Departments ahead of the publishing of guidance to Combined Authorities on the implementation of the Health Inequalities Duty. Our briefings including our recently released Public Health in Real Life and Local Government Reorganisation briefings provide added context on the future structure of local and regional government and the Environmental Health profession's place within it. Other documents including our upcoming 'Sound Thinking' Noise Policy Report will also touch on the potential linkages between areas of Environmental Health and English Devolution.

Useful links