News & Opinion
You can find here our press releases, consultation responses, briefings and newsletters – as well as opinion articles written by leading figures
Best Value: DCN’s response to Government consultation
DCN has responded to the Government's consultation on statutory guidance for local authorities on Best Value Duty, ...
‘Jobs and investment will suffer if district expertise is side-lined’ – DCN responds to LEPs’ axing
The District Councils’ Network has responded to the Government’s publication today of proposals to replace Local ...
‘Let’s not create the slums of tomorrow as we tackle today’s housing crisis’
The district council sector supports the Government’s commitment to build one million homes this Parliament – but ...
DCN welcomes Lords bid to localise devolution
The District Councils’ Network has welcomed a House of Lords move to ensure that devolution deals could genuinely ...
Infrastructure Levy ‘will not work’ – DCN responds
The District Councils’ Network is one of 30 signatories to a letter warning the Government that its plans for an ...
‘Empower us to stop short-term lets eroding our communities’
The DCN has urged Government action to set up a robust registration scheme for short-term lets, which member ...
DCN responds to launch of Oflog’s Data Explorer
The District Councils’ Network has today’s developments relating to the launch of Oflog, the Office for Local ...
Local councils should be free to devise their own workforce solutions
Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said:
“Many councils are experiencing ...
‘We specialise in prevention’: report urges ICSs to utilise district expertise
District councils’ fundamental role in determining the health of their communities makes them “indispensable ...
DCN chairman’s levelling up vision published
DCN chairman Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen has offered a bold vision for levelling up in district council areas in a book ...
DISTRICT COUNCILS CALL FOR COUNCIL TAX RAISING POWERS FOR NEW HEALTH PRECEPT
District councils must be able to raise council tax by 2 per cent to invest in prevention measures that would help ...
District Council Response to COVID-19
District Council Response to the COVID-19 Illness
This is a fast-moving situation; the response to the Covid-19 ...
New Chairman of the District Councils’ Network announced
The new Chairman of the District Councils’ Network has been confirmed today as Cllr John Fuller.
Cllr Fuller, ...
New Chair and Vice Chair of DCN Chief Executive’s Group announced
A new Chair and Vice Chair of the District Councils’ Network’s Chief Executives’ Group have been appointed.
Paul ...
DISTRICT COUNCILS RESPOND TO LGO REPORT ON BIN COLLECTION COMPLAINTS
Responding to the Local Government Ombudsman’s report ‘Lifting the lid on bin complaints’, Cllr John Fuller, ...
DCN RESPONDS TO LGA’S ANALYSIS OF PLANNING APPLICATION COSTS
Responding to the LGA’s analysis of planning application costs, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the District ...
DCN RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON CONSULTATION FOR ASSESSING HOUSING NEED
Responding to the Government’s announcement on its consultation for assessing housing need, Cllr John Fuller, ...
DCN RESPONDS TO NAO REPORT ON LOCAL AUTHORITY INVESTMENT IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
DCN RESPONDS TO NAO REPORT ON LOCAL AUTHORITY INVESTMENT IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Responding to a report by the ...
District Councils’ Network Responds to Planning Proposals
District Councils’ Network Responds to Planning Proposals
Responding to the Government’s planning proposals ...
District councils respond to allocation of the £1bn funding for councils this winter
District councils respond to allocation of the £1bn funding for councils this winter
Responding to the ...
DCN announces new chief executive lead
Yvonne Rees has been appointed chair of the District Councils’ Network Chief Executive Group.
Yvonne, chief ...
Brandon Lewis to chair District Council APPG
Rt Hon Brandon Lewis CBE MP is to serve as the new Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for District ...
District Councils’ Network responds to Local Government Finance Settlement 2016/17
In response to yesterday’s Local Government Finance Settlement announcement, Cllr Neil Clarke MBE, chairman of the ...