NALC launches new toolkit to strengthen parish and town councils' voice in parliament 

We have launched a new toolkit to help parish and town councils and county associations strengthen their engagement with MPs and other parliamentarians, ensuring the voice of local communities is heard more clearly at a national level.

Our Engaging Parliament Toolkit, created in partnership with Connect Public Affairs, provides practical guidance, tools and insights to help build effective relationships with decision-makers across Westminster. It sets out how to confidently champion the sector's priorities and strengthen their engagement with parliamentarians.

With around 10,000 parish and town councils and over 100,000 councillors across England, we are encouraging the sector to make full use of its collective influence. The toolkit highlights the importance of coordinated engagement, particularly as opportunities grow to shape policy on issues such as funding, devolution, planning and community empowerment.

The toolkit explains the roles of key parliamentary actors and actionable ways to engage with them. These include meeting with MPs, responding to consultations, submitting evidence to inquiries, and raising issues through parliamentary questions and debates.

A strong focus is placed on the importance of evidence-led advocacy. The toolkit encourages the capture and sharing of data, case studies and real-world examples to support and demonstrate the value of local action. By combining data with compelling local stories, we can help build a stronger and more informed sector to showcase the vital role it plays and more effectively influence policy and funding decisions.

The toolkit forms part of our wider work to champion the sector's priorities, including building capacity, securing diverse funding, empowering communities and strengthening local leadership. It reinforces the message that while parish and town councils operate at the most local level, their impact and their voice can and should be felt nationally.

We are encouraging all parish and town councils and county associations to explore the toolkit and take proactive steps to engage with parliamentarians, helping to shape the policies that affect their communities now and in the future.