NALC president urges the Devolution Bill to deliver real local power

PoliticsHome has published a call from our president, Baroness Ros Scott, urging the government to ensure that the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill delivers real power to communities on the ground.

Writing in The House section of PoliticsHome on 1 September 2025, Baroness Scott described the legislation as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to strengthen local democracy. She warned, however, that the substance of the Bill must live up to its spirit. That parish and town councils must be fully recognised as central to any neighbourhood governance reforms.

The Bill, which began its passage through parliament this month, sets out a framework to simplify and accelerate devolution in England. It aims to distribute powers more consistently across the country and give communities a greater say in how local services are run.

Baroness Scott highlighted the essential role played by England's 10,000 parish and town councils, from managing green spaces and local transport links to running festivals and community events. She stressed that without properly empowering this "first tier of local government", the Bill would fall short of its promise to deliver genuine community empowerment.

We are engaging with ministers and parliamentarians throughout the Bill's development. We have also established a Westminster Forum to bring together MPs and peers from across the political spectrum to scrutinise the legislation and ensure that the voice of parish and town councils is heard.

Baroness Scott called on parliamentarians to join the forum and support amendments that would guarantee parish and town councils a stronger role. "This is a pivotal moment," she said, "and we must ensure that local government reform is rooted in the communities it serves."

From our perspective, the Bill represents a significant step forward. Still, its success will depend on whether it truly empowers parish and town councils. We call on the government and parliamentarians to seize the opportunity to make devolution meaningful for communities across England.