NALC represents local councils at the LGA Annual Conference 2023

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) represented local (parish and town) councils at the Local Government Association Annual Conference between 4 and 6 July 2023.

NALC attended the conference in Bournemouth to raise the sector's profile to around 1,700 attendees, including politicians, parliamentarians, senior representatives from principal authorities and organisations working with local government. 

NALC's exhibition stand and Did you know? leaflet helped to update district, county, and unitary councillors with important information about the sector, show how local councils are changing and taking on more services, promote the Civility and Respect Pledge, and encourage considering creating new local councils.

NALC's fringe event, Why parishes matter?, asked LGA's political groups (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent) precisely that question. The expert panellists featured included Cllr Izzi Seccombe OBE (LGA Conservative Group), Cllr Peter Marland (LGA Labour Group), Cllr Joe Harris (Liberal Democrat Group) and Cllr Marianne Overton MBE (LGA Independent Group). At the same time, Megan Kenyon hosted the session from the Local Government Chronicle. The speakers wrote a series of blogs to share what they spoke about.

Former NALC Star Council Awards winner Bridport Town Council presented their brilliant work on affordable housing, climate change, and their Investment Plan in the Innovation Zone. Bridport Town Council are the first local council to feature in the zone.

Leader of Great Dawley Town Council and Telford and Wrekin Council, Cllr Shaun Davies, was elected as the new LGA chair. Cllr Davies is the youngest LGA chair and the first serving parish or town councillor who has held the role.

Michael Gove MP, secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, announced the launch of the new Office for Local Government in his keynote speech. Angela Rayner MP, deputy leader of the Labour Party, stated that a Labour government would build more houses and devolve power to local authorities. Ed Davey MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, pledged to work with local government to strengthen its relationship with the central government.