NALC publishes new devolution case studies resource for parish and town councils

We have published a new online resource showcasing practical case studies on devolution from parish and town councils across England.

As devolution gathers pace and principal authorities reshape service delivery, parish and town councils are increasingly taking on new assets, services and responsibilities. While this can strengthen local control and community responsiveness, it also brings significant challenges around funding, capacity, governance and long-term sustainability.

Our new collection of devolution case studies highlights parish and town councils that have already engaged with devolution in practice. The resource supports councils that are considering, negotiating or delivering devolved responsibilities, providing real-world insight into what works, what to watch for and how others have approached similar decisions.

The resource reflects a growing trend of responsibilities being passed to parish and town councils, driven by financial pressures on principal authorities and likely to be accelerated by structural change through local government reorganisation. As more services are devolved, including parks, play areas, markets, libraries, public toilets and open spaces, and as more communities establish new parish and town councils, the role of the sector in local service delivery continues to expand.

The case studies cover a wide range of themes, including accessing funding sources, taking on assets and services, engaging with combined authorities and metro mayors, joint working, and the creation of new parish and town councils. The resource will provide inspiration and practical guidance for parish and town councils and county associations navigating devolution and change, and support informed decision-making as responsibilities continue to shift to the most local level of government.