Larger Councils Committee discusses community delivery, youth services and policy updates

Our Larger Councils Committee met on 28 April 2026, to explore best practice in service delivery and receive updates on key policy developments affecting the sector.

The committee heard from the executive officer at Moulton Parish Council, Jane Austin, who outlined how the council delivers a wide range of services through a charitable incorporated organisation. She highlighted how this model enables the council to strengthen community engagement and deliver services that bring people together.

The youth and community manager at Dunstable Town Council, Gill Peck, shared details of the council's extensive youth services provision and the positive impact it is having locally.

The committee received updates from senior policy officers at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Alex White and John McMichael, on their Protecting What Matters paper, offering insight into emerging policy direction and its potential implications for parish and town councils.

There were also updates on the Representation of the People Bill, Martyn's Law, our national network for super councils, the Local Council Award Scheme, the Corporate Peer Challenge and the Town of Culture competition.