Animations to simplify Local Government Reorganisation

Local government reorganisation (LGR) can feel like an intricate puzzle. Boundaries shift, responsibilities realign and familiar services may come from a brand-new council.

For residents who depend on public services every day, the stakes are high: roads, schools, social care and planning all sit in the balance.

Yet government communication around these changes often arrives wrapped in dense documents or lengthy press releases, leaving many people unsure how the restructuring will affect their lives.

Simplifying that complexity is a requirement for meaningful engagement. In its recent feedback to councils on the interim LGR submissions, the government urges councils to “actively involve residents, businesses and stakeholders” in shaping final proposals.

When residents understand what is happening and why, they can offer informed feedback, hold leaders accountable and prepare for upcoming changes with confidence.

Clear explanations reduce the risk of misinformation, minimise communication breakdown and demonstrate that local councils value open dialogue. Without accessible explanations, even well-intentioned reforms risk breeding uncertainty and frustration.

Explainer animations offer a fresh approach to communicating LGR. In just a few minutes, a well-crafted public services animation can turn policy jargon into an engaging story that shows exactly how services will look tomorrow.

By pairing visuals with concise voiceover, animations allow councils to reach busy audiences across social media, websites and community meetings—meeting residents where they already spend their time.

First, let’s explore why communicating reorganisation is so challenging in the first place.

The challenges of communicating Local Government Reorganisation

When a county council merges departments or multiple districts unite under a single authority, the resulting structure charts can rival the London Underground map for complexity.

Each change touches everyday public services—waste collection, school admissions, planning permissions—yet the details often sit inside lengthy consultation papers that few residents read end to end.

Without clear government communication, confusion builds quickly, and communication breakdown can erode the trust transparency that government leaders work hard to maintain. Residents want to know who will fix the potholes, approve a new housing development or manage adult social care. If these answers are unclear, rumors flourish and engagement stalls. Informed feedback hinges on a shared understanding of what is changing and why, underscoring the need for concise, relatable explanations that anyone can grasp at a glance.

The role of effective communication

Clear, timely communication does more than convey facts; it reassures residents that their voices matter. When councils explain proposals in plain language, show realistic timelines and outline benefits—such as streamlined services or cost savings—public trust grows.

Using visuals and straightforward examples allows residents to picture how changes will affect their street, school or care package, turning abstract policy into tangible outcomes.

Accessible language is only half the story. Visuals bring the narrative to life, whether through infographics, public services animation or a local councils cartoon that illustrates new service pathways.

By combining spoken explanation with imagery, councils appeal to different learning styles, reinforce retention and reach audiences who prefer watching over reading.

As councils look for communication tools that tick these boxes, animation stands out for its ability to distill complexity into an engaging story residents will actually watch—and share.

Why animation is the ideal tool for explaining Local Government Reorganisation

When residents scroll through social media or attend a town-hall livestream, attention is scarce. An engaging animation cuts through the noise by translating dense policy documents into a concise narrative that feels both accessible and authoritative.

Visual storytelling removes layers of jargon, letting people see exactly how responsibilities will move from district to county council or how a new unitary authority will reshape public services.

Animations also travel well. A single video can be posted on X, embedded on the council website, screened at community meetings or shortened for Instagram Stories—giving local government leaders a versatile asset that delivers consistent messaging everywhere residents look.

Because the average web user reads only 20 percent of a page yet more than half will watch a three-minute video to the end, animations outperform text-heavy updates in both reach and retention.
Finally, movement and sound boost memory. By pairing clear narration with animated graphics, councils create a multisensory experience that helps residents remember the timeline, benefits and next steps of reorganisation long after the video ends.

This tackles communication breakdown head-on and positions the council as a proactive partner in change.

The power of visual storytelling

Animation excels at turning abstract governance structures into relatable scenes. Through visual metaphors—such as roads merging into a single highway to represent a new unitary council—viewers grasp complex shifts in seconds.

Relatable scenarios, perhaps a parent enrolling a child in school or an older resident arranging social care, show how services will actually improve.

Animated characters foster empathy. A smiling refuse collector, or a family picnic beside a landmark bridge, help residents see themselves in the story.

Including well-known local landmarks not only grounds the narrative in a familiar setting but also strengthens civic pride. Together, these elements convert policy into everyday life, making the message memorable and shareable.

Animation in action with LGR

The One Somerset campaign is a powerful example of how animation can clarify complex local government reorganisation. Somerset county council commissioned a public services animation to explain the shift from two-tier governance to a single unitary authority.

Senate Media’s animation incorporated local landmarks, a clear timeline, and tangible benefits, such as reduced bureaucracy and more local decision-making.
The results were striking. Residents engaged with the animation across multiple platforms, understanding how the changes would improve roads, schools, and social care.

The animation even featured on BBC News, amplifying its reach and impact. The Local Government Association later cited this animation as a “great example” of using video to communicate LGR effectively, setting a benchmark for councils nationwide.

With results like these, it is clear why more county councils and district partnerships are turning to public services animation to guide residents through reorganisation.

Ready to see how an animation could work for your council? Contact Senate Media today and discover how we can help you simplify complexity, boost engagement and empower residents to embrace the future of their local government.