NALC calls for parish and town council involvement following announcement of new unitary councils

We have welcomed the government's announcement of new unitary councils in four of the six devolution priority areas, and are urging the new councils to place parish and town councils, alongside county associations, at the heart of their development.

We emphasise that strong neighbourhood governance must be built around empowered communities that are trusted and enabled to lead. As new unitary councils take shape, they should recognise and work with existing local structures, carefully considering which elements of current pre-local government reorganisation neighbourhood models can be strengthened rather than replaced.

A key priority is harnessing the deep local knowledge within communities. Parish and town councils are uniquely positioned to understand local assets, needs, and opportunities. Where appropriate, this should include granting additional powers, funding and support to enable these councils to take on enhanced responsibilities in ways that reflect local ambition and capability.

We also highlight the benefits of establishing area committees, drawing on models such as those in Somerset and Wiltshire. These have the potential to provide locally responsive forums for decision-making and engagement. These should be created to genuinely reflect the communities they serve, ensuring they are representative, inclusive, and free of unnecessary restrictions.

Strong relationships will be critical to the success of local government reorganisation. Developing a clear list of services and assets suitable for transfer will support meaningful devolution, while named contacts within principal authorities and increased face-to-face engagement, particularly in areas such as highways and planning, will help build stronger, more resilient local partnerships.