NALC welcomes new evidence on the power of parish and town councils
We welcome the publication of a new report from the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP), The Future of Local Democracy – Devolution and the Need to Empower Parish and Town Councils. The report provides a timely and compelling examination of the vital role played by parish and town councils as the community tier of government, and the action needed to ensure they are correctly recognised and supported as England's devolution agenda develops.
The report explores the unique capacity of parish and town councils to deliver democratic leadership at a genuinely hyper-local level. It comes at a critical moment, as the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill progresses through parliament and decisions are taken that will shape how power, funding and accountability are structured for years to come.
The report builds directly on discussions at our Power Shift conference last year, where parish and town councils highlighted both the opportunities and risks presented by current devolution proposals. In particular, the authors echo concerns that the move towards larger unitary authorities could unintentionally distance decision-making from communities. Without clear and deliberate mechanisms to strengthen the role of parish and town councils, there is a risk of widening the gap between residents and those exercising power at a strategic level.
We agree with the report's assessment that parish and town councils are essential place-based institutions. As democratically elected bodies embedded within their communities, they are uniquely placed to reflect local identities, understand neighbourhood-level challenges and give voice to residents who may otherwise be unheard. This closeness to communities is not incidental. It is fundamental to building trust, supporting local action and delivering outcomes that genuinely respond to local need.
The report also reinforces the point that parish and town councils already possess significant, and often under-utilised, powers. Where councils meet the necessary conditions, the General Power of Competence provides a strong legal foundation for innovation and local leadership. However, we recognise that ambition alone is not enough. Sustainable and regenerative funding models that value social, environmental and community benefits are essential if councils are to make full use of these powers and play a meaningful role in delivering national and local priorities.
Notably, the report highlights the need for parish and town councils to reflect on how power operates within their own communities and to take active steps to widen participation. We support this call for inclusive local democracy and welcome the examples cited of councils using approaches such as community assemblies and participatory budgeting. Learning from what works, as well as what does not, will be critical as the sector continues to evolve and respond to changing expectations of local governance.
Overall, the report underlines a message we have long championed that effective devolution cannot succeed unless it is rooted in strong, empowered parish and town councils. As government, principal authorities and partners consider the future shape of local democracy, we will continue to advocate for a settlement that places communities, and the councils closest to them, at its heart.
