WIREDGOV

Our new report 'The Features and Characteristics of Successful County Associations of Local Councils' explores and promotes reforms for the parish council sector.

We appointed the Centre for Local Policy Studies, University of Gloucestershire and the Institute for Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham to undertake research into what makes a successful County Association of Local Councils (CALC).

This report is our conclusions, based on the research undertaken by these consultants. The report, which is also based on discussions we have held within the parish sector, is aimed at CALCs and parish councils and their national representative bodies and other national, regional and local stakeholders.

There are 36 CALCs in England, all of which are independent bodies supporting their member parish and town councils. They represent the views of parish and town councils as well as providing training, briefings, newsletters, plus legal and technical advice and a ‘signposting’ service, to guide parishes where to find information and services.

We believe that creating a renewed structure of empowered and influential town and parish councils, with well-organised and effective representation at county level, will help to support strong and sustainable rural communities.

Our inquiry 'Strengthening the role of local councillors' is exploring the opportunities and challenges for rural councillors to become better democratic champions acting on behalf of their communities.

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