NALC meets with Office for Place to discuss collaboration

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with the Office for Place to explore potential collaborations.

NALC chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, gave Office for Place chair, Nicholas Boys Smith, insights into the pivotal role of local (parish and town) councils in shaping localities and updates on NALC, local council, and county association activities. 

Nicholas Boys Smith emphasised the significance of local councils and neighbourhood groups in fostering community engagement and cohesion, mainly through initiatives such as neighbourhood planning and design codes. He highlighted the Office for Place's commitment to supporting local councils in becoming more front and centre and more effective and active within their communities. 

The Office for Place, a newly established non-departmental public body under the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, is responsible for helping create beautiful, enduring, successful, and sustainable places that foster a sense of community, local pride and belonging.