National Association Of Local Councils

General information

National Association of Local Councils is a recognised membership body, representing the interests of 10,000 local councils made up of 80,000 local councillors.

Local councils serve electorates ranging from small rural communities to major cities, all are independently elected and raise a precept from the local community. Together, they can be identified as among the nation’s most influential grouping of grassroots opinion-formers. Over 15 million people live in communities served by local councils, around 35% of the population, whilst over 200 new local councils have been created in the last 10 years.

Local councils work towards improving community well-being and providing better services at a local level. Their work falls into three main categories: representing the local community; delivering services to meet local needs; striving to improve quality of life and community wellbeing.

Through a range of powers local councils provide and maintain a variety of important and visible local services including allotments, bridleways, burial grounds, bus shelters, car parks, commons, community transport schemes, crime reduction measures, footpaths, leisure facilities, local youth projects, open spaces, public lavatories, planning, street cleaning, street lighting, tourism activities, traffic calming measures, village greens and litter bins. These existing powers were recently strengthened by the extension of the well being power to eligible local councils.

Our vision is for a vibrant, dynamic and effective local council sector making a positive difference to communities and local people. More than ever before, very local government is going to be needed to play its part in meeting the economic, social, environmental and political challenges facing our country.