Local taxpayers and service users set to feel the pinch as councils face river maintenance spend hike Vast swathes of low-lying land face increased risk of...
Cuts to flood protection force councils to step in
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DCN Updates
Who controls the data after LGR?
By Kate Edwards, associate, Birketts Local government reorganisation (LGR) raises urgent data-protection questions. It may not be clear who will be legally...
DCN responds to announcement of delay to local elections
The District Councils’ Network has responded to the Government announcement that county and district councils can apply to ministers to postpone elections...
Birketts: Bitesize LGR webinars for DCN members
Welcome to this series of bite-sized webinars on local government reorganisation from Birketts. In them, Claire Jones, Legal Director in the Public Sector...
Birketts to offer LGR training
DCN is delighted to announce that we’ve entered a new partnership with Birketts LLP, a top 50 UK law firm specialising in advising the public sector. Birketts...
DCN responds to mayoral election delays: England’s power imbalance is perpetuated
The Government has today announced the delay of mayoral elections in Devolution Priority Programme areas from 2026 to 2028. This will impact on 7.5 million...
Local services’ financial outlook remains troubled: DCN’s Budget response
The District Councils’ Network has responded to today’s Budget, delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves this afternoon. The Budget introduces mansion and...
Cuts to council funding will hit housebuilding and growth
Many people living outside the biggest cities face a visible contraction in local services after the Government today announced severe funding cuts for some...
DCN responds to launch of reorganisation consultations
The Government has today announced consultations on local government reorganisation in the six areas which are part of the Devolution Priority Programme. In...
‘Don’t cut out the voice of local people’: DCN responds to planning reforms
The District Councils’ Network has responded to Government plans to strip councils of their power to block large housing developments. The Ministry of...
Temporary accommodation freeze costs equals 1,100 social homes a year
A funding freeze on Government support for temporary accommodation is draining district councils of £268m a year – enough money to build over a thousand...
DCN Conference 2026: Information for prospective sponsors and exhibitors
We’re delighted to announce that DCN's Annual Conference takes place on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March 2026 – and it contains many potential opportunities...