DCN Updates

Rushing reorganisation disempowers communities

No evidence exists to support mega councils, Government admits

‘New councils should remain close to communities’

Revealed: the three reforms that could deliver 100,000 affordable homes

District council services face cuts following tough finance settlement

‘Mega councils’ threaten local services and delivery of homes and jobs

‘1.5 million planning consents doesn’t equate to 1.5 million homes’

Essential services face an uncertain future – DCN reacts to finance statement

Ministers have listened to us on waste reform but financial challenges remain

Fifty years of district innovation celebrated in Parliament

The Best Investment You’ll Ever Make (And No, I’m Not Talking About Bitcoin)
Who we are
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) is a cross-party network of 169 district and unitary councils. We are a special interest group of the Local Government Association, providing a single voice for all district services.
DCN member councils deliver a wide range of local government services to over 21 million people – 37% of England’s population. They cover 59% of the country by area. DCN councils are home to 39% of England’s businesses and 32% of national Gross Domestic Product.
They deliver visible frontline services that matter to every single resident and business in their local areas.
These include waste collection, planning and housing, homelessness prevention, welfare support, environmental health, parks and green spaces, leisure centres, and economic development.
DCN councils play a unique role in shaping local places to make them more prosperous. They drive local economic growth and the resurgence of local pride that goes with it. They hold vital keys to improving health and wellbeing and reducing pressure on the NHS. They have an unparalleled ability to support local residents who need it most and help prevent the social problems of tomorrow.
Reports
Research undertaken or commissioned by DCN on the issues that matter most to our members

English Devolution White Paper: DCN’s briefing

Driving better health outcomes: districts’ role in ICSs

Districts Deliver: How local people view their councils

Empowered councils can deliver net zero and clean growth

Fit For the Future: The Health Value of Wellbeing and Leisure Services

Bigger is still Not Better – a report by Professor Colin Copus

Levelling up places: A series of case studies demonstrating districts’ power in place

Levelling up towns and cities in non- metropolitan England: Principles for county devolution
Innovation Spotlight
Showcasing DCN member councils’ innovative approaches on place leadership, wellbeing and environmental issues

Pendle: The Yes Hub

Watford: Town Hall Quarter

Cambridge: Decarbonising transport

South Norfolk: District Direct social prescribing

Tendring: Primary school wellbeing hubs

Reigate & Banstead: Health creation networks

North Warwickshire: Household welcome bundle

Stafford: Local plan engagement

New Forest: Mental health practitioner

East Hampshire: Pinewood pods

East Devon: Innovation and resilience fund

Epsom and Ewell: Digital engagement
Partners
DCN partners with trusted private sector organisations.
Find out about their work by clicking on their logos



