Building the Future of Local Communities

Parish and town councils are key to community engagement and greater representation. The National Association of Local Councils' (NALC) National Conference in Bournemouth (5-7 October) showed that parish and town councils now have the opportunity to further develop their services to enhance their role as advocates and representatives of their communities.

The conference was again a success with around 500 delegates and speakers including: Parmjit Dhanda MP, minister for local government; Paul Coen, chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA); Tony Travers, director of the London Group, London School of Economics; Cllr Ken Cleary, chairman, NALC; and John Findlay, chief executive, NALC.

Parmjit Dhanda MP, minister of local government, highlighted that with nearly 9,000 parish and town councils across the country they are a powerful force for engaging communities. He said: "These are exciting times and I see a key role for parish and town councils. It is therefore vital that they all play a role in engaging communities."

Cllr Ken Cleary, chairman, NALC, told the conference that: "We now have an unprecedented level of engagement with government. Furthermore, we have their active support, and indeed the active support of all the political parties. I am impressed and encouraged by the work of parish and town councils across the country, but at this crucial time we cannot afford to be complacent. We need to demonstrate that we have the capability and willingness to take on devolved services and functions."

John Findlay, chief executive, NALC demanded: "Councils should engage with the community in 'blue skies' thinking about what improvements the community would like to see, using Parish Plans where they exist. Community engagement should involve the community as a whole and direct involvement with stakeholders and voluntary and community organisations. We need to take a fresh look at what our councils can do, building on existing models and good practice and being imaginative in key areas of community concern."

Paul Coen, LGA commented: "The future is local. The challenge now is whether we grasp this opportunity or let it slip through our fingers. Parish and town councils need to demonstrate that if powers are handed down, they are able to rise to the challenge."

Tony Travers, London School of Economics said: "The key issue at the moment is how to get people involved and to believe that they can have an influence in the place in which they live. Parish and town councils have a key role to play in rebuilding this endangered democratic system. "

Also at the national conference the winners of the prestigious Aon/NALC Council and Clerk of Year competitions were announced. NALC would like to congratulate Ivybridge Town Council, Devon, for winning the Aon/NALC Council of the Year award, and Ray Smythe who won the Aon/NALC Clerk of the Year award. Mr Smythe is clerk to Heath Hayes and Wimblebury Parish Council in Staffordshire.

Notes for Editors

1. The National Association of Local Councils is the national representative body for 10,000 community, parish and town councils throughout England and Wales. In all, there are over 100,000 community, parish and town councillors throughout England and Wales. These councillors, who serve electorates ranging from small rural communities to major cities, are all independently elected. The councils have powers to raise their own funds through council tax. Community, parish and town councils provide employment for over 25,000 staff while their annual expenditure exceeds £400 million. Together, they can be identified as the nation's single most influential grouping of grassroots opinion-formers. Over 15 million people live in communities served by 10,000 community, parish and town councils nationally - this represents up to 30% of the population. Over 150 new community, parish and town councils have been created since 1997.

For more information contact Alan Jones on 020 7290 0316 or alan.jones@nalc.gov.uk