Local government is changing – and so are we

Devolution and local government reorganisation are reshaping the way places across England are led. At the same time, wider reforms to local public services, including health, social care and policing, combined with the rapid adoption of new technologies, are changing how decisions are made and services are delivered. These changes create new opportunities, but also uncertainty about roles, influence and accountability.

To reflect the changing landscape of local government and help councils to seize opportunities through transformation and beyond, the District Councils’ Network (DCN) is becoming the Local Councils Network (LCN). LCN will continue to serve district councils for as long as they exist, alongside current unitary councils, and will embrace new unitary councils as they are created.

Championing local leadership

LCN is led by its membership, grounded in the places councils serve and the people who live and work there. We champion councils as the sovereign, democratic leaders of their areas, with deep local knowledge and responsibility for a full range of valuable local services. They remain closest to communities and central to understanding and articulating local needs and priorities.

Effective local leadership is about making decisions that improve everyday life – and life chances – for residents, while supporting local economies and strengthening communities. LCN is a responsive, resourceful organisation dedicated to helping councils lead places in ways that make a difference to local people, informed by lived experience and shared knowledge from similar places around the country.

Speaking up nationally for local councils

LCN brings councils together to build common understanding and develop collective viewpoints on key issues. We give councils a powerful and influential voice nationally – so we can shape government policy, and act decisively when changes are announced.

Devolution works best when the roles of councils, mayors and central government are clearly defined and balanced. By collaborating with government, both central and local, we help councils to navigate changing structures with confidence, empowering them to lead their areas into the future, while working in constructive and complementary ways with other local public services.

Collaboration creates better outcomes

Councils are most effective when they learn from one another and act together. LCN provides a politically neutral space for councils to connect with peers facing the same issues, share best practice and access insights from our specialist partners. By working together, we help councils anticipate emerging issues and implement practical solutions to make life better for local people and businesses – for the long term.