NALC champions local leadership at the Local Government Association Annual Conference
Last week, we attended the Local Government Association (LGA) Annual Conference in Bournemouth to raise the profile of parish and town councils and the sector and discuss the local government sector with principal authorities. We also had a joint stand in the exhibition with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), hosted a fringe event and supported an Innovation Zone session.
Our fringe event, What does it mean to be a 21st-century councillor and clerk?, saw the launch of our report in collaboration with the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO), the SLCC and the University of Birmingham, showcasing the latest 21st-century parish and town councillor and clerk research.
Our expert panel included the chief executive officer of ASDO, Charlotte Eisenhart, the SLCC chair Adam Keppel-Green, and the University of Birmingham professor of public policy and public management, Catherine Needham. Hosted by the acting editor of the Local Government Chronicle, Martin George.
The event focused on the latest research, with an emphasis on stronger local leadership and community engagement, better support and development for councillors and clerks, and adapting to local government reform and devolution.
Charlotte Eisenhart spoke about how local government organisations should create space for strategic thinking and innovation rather than being consumed by day-to-day pressures, and how support requires developing mindsets, adaptability and confidence. Emphasising the importance of the report's focus on people rather than institutions, she said, "There is a skill about being able to embrace change and imagine doing something that you've never done before."
Adam Keppel-Green discussed how clerks should be recognised as professional local government officers, and councillors should be recognised for the significant responsibilities they carry. He said that principal authorities need to empower parish and town councils through genuine partnership, devolution and investment. He emphasised the strength of councils being deeply rooted in communities, enabling them to connect people and deliver practical improvements, saying, "Hundreds of empowered communities feeling that they can understand and solve problems can only be a positive thing for our society."
Professor Catherine Needham highlighted how parish and town councils operate in an increasingly complex environment shaped by local government reorganisation, devolution and changing community needs. She explained that councils should not just focus on the challenges they face, but on helping councillors and clerks thrive and maximise their impact, saying, "Investing in supporting councillors and clerks to be connectors, communicators and catalysts is really key."
The panel made it clear that the future of parish and town councils depends on building the skills, mindset and confidence needed to work effectively in an increasingly complex environment.
In the Innovation Zone, our Star Council Awards 2025/26 Council of the Year winner, Oswestry Town Council, demonstrated how parish and town councils often deliver far more than many people realise. The council clerk, Arren Roberts, and Cllr Rosie Radford took the audience through their building restoration projects, community transport initiatives and economic development work.
Arren Roberts said, "Being creative, having elected members who want to achieve things in their community and resourcing it appropriately means that you can do a lot."
They also explored how parish and town councils are best placed to understand local needs, represent communities, and deliver substantial regeneration and public value. Oswestry Town Council were clear that councils are ambitious community leaders that use partnerships, local knowledge and strategic thinking to deliver better outcomes for residents, with Cllr Rosie Radford saying, "We are being braver every day about what town councils can do."
Over three days, we connected with a wide range of local leaders, policy experts and councillors. The conversations were insightful and energising, reinforcing our belief in the essential role that parish and town councils play at the heart of local democracy. The future of local government is changing, and parish and town councils are ready to lead.
