NALC strengthens focus on standards, remote meetings and neighbourhood planning

Our Policy Committee met on 4 August 2026 to discuss a range of policy issues affecting parish and town councils, including standards, remote meetings, neighbourhood planning and local government reorganisation.

The committee received a briefing on the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and welcomed representatives from Weymouth Town Council, who confirmed their intention to resubmit an amended proposal on introducing a dependants' carers' allowance.

The committee also considered several pieces of legislation currently progressing through parliament. We will continue to engage with both the Representation of the People Bill and the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, monitoring their progress from Autumn 2026 and keeping the sector informed of key developments.

The committee agreed its core campaigning priorities for the months ahead, with a renewed focus on strengthening standards in local government and securing the return of remote meetings for parish and town councils. They also discussed how we can continue to make the strongest possible case to government on both issues.

The committee also heard from the Community Empowerment Team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, who provided an update on revised guidance for community governance reviews being developed with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, as well as the government's wider neighbourhood governance framework.

The committee also heard updates on our live neighbourhood planning survey, which will help inform work to improve access to government information, guidance and support for parish and town councils wishing to prepare new neighbourhood plans or review existing ones.