Parish and town councils encouraged to inspire the next generation of local leaders
Our latest event, Next Generation Leadership: Building inclusive parish and town councils, explored how parish and town councils can engage younger people and create more representative local leadership. The event highlighted the importance of ensuring councils reflect the communities they serve and showcased practical ways to encourage the next generation of councillors.
Attendees heard from Cllr Caitlin Brennan of Keynsham Town Council; Cllr Connor Mulhall of Wetherby Town Council; and Laura Keegan, national programme manager at the National Youth Agency, who explored how councils can embrace young voices and be inclusive of underrepresented groups. Attendees discovered practical steps to engage a broader range of people in the community, learnt how to inspire, support and mentor the councillors of tomorrow, and gained insight into what really works.
Opening the session, Cllr Caitlin Brennan spoke about her journey to becoming a town councillor. She emphasised the importance of youth councils, mentoring, representation and creating opportunities for young people before they consider politics. She argued that councils need to be more flexible and inclusive, particularly when young councillors work full-time. She said, “We can’t expect young people to get involved if they don’t feel welcome and they don’t see people like themselves being represented.” She encouraged councils to create participation opportunities and ensure young people feel represented in local democracy.
Cllr Connor Mulhall shared his journey into local government and highlighted the importance of visibility, communication and creating opportunities for young people. He said, “Don’t be afraid to ask. If you know a younger person who would be good, just ask.” He encouraged councils to use social media, build relationships with schools, colleges and universities, and offer work experience and volunteering opportunities.
Laura Keegan focused on youth participation and engagement from a youth agency perspective. She urged parish and town councils to actively listen to young people, act on their views, and provide feedback on outcomes. She said, “If young people experience local democracy as something that listens and responds, they’re more likely to see a place for themselves within it.” She also encouraged councils to work with trusted organisations, use plain language, and create opportunities for young people to influence real decisions.
The session ended with a Q&A on how parish and town councils can attract underrepresented groups, give them meaningful roles in decision-making, and create more inclusive pathways into local democracy. The event demonstrated that attracting a broader range of people into local government requires proactive engagement, inclusive practices and meaningful opportunities to participate. By working with schools, youth organisations and community groups, parish and town councils can help develop the next generation of local leaders and strengthen local democracy.
