Project Keystone reaches key milestone as sector shapes future support system
Project Keystone has reached a significant milestone, with representatives from across the parish and town council sector helping to shape a vision for the future of support available to parish and town councils.
Over the summer, two workshops brought together councillors, county associations, our National Assembly and Management Board, and clerks to explore how the sector can be best supported over the next decade.
Participants were asked to look ahead to 2036 and consider the opportunities and challenges facing parish and town councils. Discussions revealed a strong and consistent ambition for a sector that is more professional, influential, connected and equipped to play an even greater role in local government and community leadership.
Several key priorities emerged from the workshops, including the need for clearer roles and responsibilities, stronger collaboration across the sector, better access to training and expertise, greater consistency in support and more effective use of technology. Participants also highlighted the growing potential of digital tools and artificial intelligence to improve access to information, advice and services.
The workshops also reinforced the importance of peer learning and knowledge sharing. Many participants emphasised the value of building stronger networks across the sector, enabling parish and town councils to learn from each other's experiences, share good practice and develop innovative solutions to common challenges.
The findings were subsequently considered by our Management Board, which reviewed a set of emerging principles developed from the evidence gathered through surveys, discussions and engagement activities. Board members expressed broad support for a future support system that is professional, collaborative, accountable, future-focused and easier for councils to navigate. They also stressed the importance of delivering value for money and enhancing the sector's reputation.
Shared Intelligence is now bringing together the findings from the survey, National Assembly discussions, workshops and Management Board engagement to develop a set of emerging recommendations for the future support system.
These recommendations will be tested through a further round of sector workshops later this month before informing the final recommendations for Project Keystone.
