The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with Neil O'Brien MP, the new parliamentary under secretary of state for Levelling Up, The Union and Constitution at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
At the meeting, NALC chair, Cllr Sue Baxter, highlighted the crucial role of local (parish and town) councils in their communities and levelling up the country.
Cllr Baxter spoke on various other issues, including creating new local councils across England and access to dedicated government funding such as the Towns and Levelling Up Funds and next year's health and social care levy. Cllr Baxter also showcased the innovative work by councils in areas such as housing and community safety and models of community governance in the other devolved nations.
Mr O'Brien has been a Member of Parliament for Harborough since 2017 and was appointed to his new role on 19 September 2021. In this role, his responsibilities include levelling up white paper, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, county deals and devolution, and high streets, towns and community assets in England.