NALC leads the drive to reignite community engagement in local government
We hosted our sold-out joint online event with the Local Government Association (LGA) on 17 October 2025, which coincided with European Local Democracy Week. The event brought together councillors, clerks and county associations from across England to explore how parish and town councils can better engage communities and encourage more people to stand for election.
Speakers from Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Association of Local Councils (BMKALC), Carn Brea Parish Council, and Test Valley Borough Council shared practical insights on outreach, training, and the evolving role of councillors. The event focused on reversing declining participation in local elections, with 21% of parish seats left unfilled and over 60% uncontested in 2025.
Melinda Woof, county officer at BMKALC, highlighted the success of their free Elections Toolkit, developed in collaboration with Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils, stating, "We brought everything into one place-governance, HR, legal, and electoral timelines- so anyone considering standing could access it easily".
Andrew Moyle‑Browning, clerk at Cambrae Parish Council, shared how his council launched a teaser campaign in late 2023 using newsletters, posters, and social media to demystify the role of councillors. He added, "We wanted to connect with a broad and inclusive cross-section of the community," he said. "Facebook was key, but we're now exploring Instagram to reach younger audiences".
Cllr Philip North and democratic services manager Emma Silverton from Test Valley Borough Council showcased their innovative Community Councillor Model, which empowers all councillors, regardless of party affiliation, with funding and officer support to deliver local projects.
Cllr North spoke on creating "skate parks, health hubs, and community centres by listening to residents and working across departments" and how "Every councillor is a community leader". Emma Silverton added, "We've set aside 10 million for community-led projects. It's not just lip service- we're delivering on what people say they need."
The panel discussed barriers to training uptake and shared creative solutions, including short pre-meeting sessions, weekend workshops, and even a locally themed democracy board game. To this, Melinda Woof said, "We trained 70 new councillors in 10 days after the election. The more trained our councillors are, the easier our lives become". Emma Silverton empathised, "We need to spotlight the impact councillors make and tell stories that resonate. It's not just about meetings, it's about making a difference".
The event also addressed the need for greater diversity in local government. Only 35% of candidates in the 2025 elections were women, according to our latest analysis.
With the next local elections scheduled for 7 May 2026, parish and town councils are being encouraged to start early, build inclusive campaigns, and use both digital and traditional outreach methods to engage residents. You can find more resources on our dedicated becoming a councillor webpage.
