NALC's Project Keystone to review and strengthen sector support
Project Keystone is a strategic review of the National Association of Local Councils and our relationship with county associations, designed to inform the future direction, role and strategic priorities of sector support for parish and town councils.
The review, led by Shared Intelligence over six months, aims to strengthen collaboration across the sector and ensure parish and town councils are effectively supported in the years ahead. The project takes its name from the architectural keystone, which holds a structure together, reflecting the ambition to bring stakeholders together to strengthen the whole sector.
The project steering group includes the Shared Intelligence team, the chair of the Cumbria Association of Local Councils, Cllr Mary Bradley, who is also a National Assembly representative and a member of our Management Board, the chief executive of Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils, Danny Moody, and our deputy chief executive, Justin Griggs.
The initial project meetings have taken place since March, where the project timeline, engagement approach and survey themes were agreed. Since then, the steering group has continued to meet fortnightly to develop engagement opportunities and gather evidence from across the sector.
The next step for the project is launching a sector-wide survey, giving parish and town councils, county associations and others the opportunity to share views, expertise and ideas. The survey goes live on 21 May 2026. It is an opportunity to help shape the future direction of sector support for parish and town councils.
The survey is seeking considerate and honest feedback on what is working well, what is not, and what needs to change. Every response will help build a clearer and stronger foundation for the future, while the insight and experience shared will directly inform the review and may also identify opportunities for further engagement across the sector.
Alongside the survey, the project will include further deep-dive engagement sessions and workshops throughout June and July, as well as additional opportunities to contribute through an open inbox and targeted case study work.
We will continue to share updates on Project Keystone as it progresses.
