NALC event highlights the power of collaboration for parish and town councils
Our latest event, Stronger Together: Unlocking the Power of Collaboration, brought parish and town councils together to explore partnership working across the sector. Attendees heard how collaboration can help councils deliver projects, secure grant funding, commission services and work with others to achieve positive outcomes for their communities.
Attendees heard from expert speakers including Jacob Hall, project manager at the Centre for Sustainable Energy, Sharon Smith, clerk at Saxmundham Town Council, and Cllr David Stripp of Kingston St Mary Parish Council. Together, they shared examples of successful partnership working and explored how councils can build relationships with local organisations to deliver community benefits.
Jacob Hall introduced the concept of community energy. He explained how residents can own renewable energy assets such as solar, wind and hydro projects. He highlighted the growth of the sector and outlined how revenue generated from these schemes can be reinvested locally to tackle fuel poverty, improve energy efficiency and support community facilities. He said, "The important factor is it's owned and operated by local people, and therefore the benefit stays within the local area."
Sharon Smith followed with a case study from Saxmundham Town Council, which responded to major energy infrastructure proposals by developing Empowering Nature, a vision for a green corridor linking the town to the coast through allotments, wildlife habitats and nature trails. The project brought together residents, developers, environmental organisations, parliamentarians and local authorities to shape a shared vision for the area. Sharon said, "Communities don't have to choose between opposition and acceptance. There is another path, one built on collaboration and constructive engagement."
Cllr David Stripp outlined a collaborative youth services initiative delivered through Somerset's Local Community Networks. Created in response to reductions in youth provision, the programme brought together eight councils to consult with young people and develop activities that reflected local needs. Reflecting on the benefits of working together, he said, "When you've got a group of people trying to find a common solution, it's so much easier."
The event concluded with a Q&A covering partnership working, community-led projects and collaborative approaches to local challenges. A key theme throughout was the value of parish and town councils working with partners and local communities to achieve shared goals and deliver lasting benefits.
