NALC presses minister for a stronger role for parish and town councils
Our chair, Cllr Iain Hamilton, held a direct and constructive meeting with Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), setting out a clear case for a stronger role for parish and town councils in the future of local government and devolution.
Cllr Hamilton emphasised that parish and town councils must be fully recognised as a core part of the local government system, with a stronger voice in decision-making and a more defined role in shaping policy. He highlighted his priorities of stronger voices, stronger governance and stronger partnerships as set out in his open letter, underlining that the sector stands ready to do more but must be properly engaged and empowered to do so.
A central focus of the discussion was the need for parish and town councils to have meaningful involvement in local government reorganisation and devolution, in particular, any neighbourhood arrangements. Cllr Hamilton made clear that parish and town councils are neighbourhood structures which must be the building blocks of devolution and are essential to ensuring reforms are rooted in communities and give people a democratically elected voice.
Cllr Hamilton pressed the case for fair and sustainable funding, including investment in training, warning that without it the sector's ability to deliver for residents and support wider government ambitions, such as getting more people involved in their communities, will be constrained.
The meeting also addressed key policy areas, including standards, remote meetings and sector support. While welcoming our involvement in working groups and the government's continued commitment to introducing legislation, Cllr Hamilton stressed that reforms must be brought forward with more urgency. He also called for more consistent and structured engagement with the sector across government, so that parish and town councils are not an afterthought but a delivery partner.
We invited Miatta Fahnbulleh MP to visit parish and town councils to see first-hand their important work in action and to speak at our events. Cllr Hamilton concluded the meeting, making clear that we are ready to work in close partnership with ministers to ensure the sector can grow, be properly supported, and continue as a strong and influential voice for the communities it represents.
