Contact Us
Want to get in touch? Use the links or numbers below to contact us:
District Councils’ Network
18 Smith Square,
Westminster,
London,
SW1P 3HZ
Email: DCN@local.gov.uk
Phone: 0207 664 3048
Media/Press enquiries:
Email: DCNMedia@local.gov.uk
Phone: 07798 534 701
DCN Updates
Independence from Government will ensure a fuller role for Oflog driving the improvement of councils, Trevor Holden, the DCN’s lead chief executive...
In this newsletter: CLLR SAM CHAPMAN-ALLEN: Happy birthday to us! MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights DCN CONFERENCE: Our round...
Easter Monday is the fiftieth anniversary of the most localised principal tier of England’s local government landscape. The 164 district councils h...
The DCN Annual Conference was a huge success with over 250 people attending the event at Sopwell House, St Albans. Our conference theme was looking...
DCN’s Annual Conference takes place on 14-15 March 2024 at Sopwell House in St Albans, Hertfordshire. We are hugely looking forward to welcoming de...
In response to the Budget, Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said: “Today’s Budget was a missed opportunity to pu...
In this Bulletin: CLLR SUSAN BROWN: With funding and freedom we can end homelessness MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights SIXTY ...
Government urged to listen to councils’ concerns about insufficient funding and unrealistic deadlines for waste reform Two-thirds of councils expec...
The Chancellor has been urged to take targeted action to avoid counterproductive cuts to essential services at district councils. District councils...
DCN’s Annual Conference is taking shape and we are now in a position to share with you the latest programme. This includes confirmed speakers...
The District Councils’ Network has welcomed extra Government funding for its member councils, which was announced by Michael Gove in a written stat...
Cllr Bridget Smith, Vice Chair of the District Councils’ Network and Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council gave evidence to the Environme...
Many of our thoughts this Christmas are with those who have no permanent, secure homes – and last night ITV showed the work of one district council...
In response to the Government’s announcement of reform to the National Planning Policy Framework, a District Councils’ Network spokesperson, ...
Today’s Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement has prompted significant concerns about the future of vital district council services...
In this bulletin: CLLR SAM CHAPMAN-ALLEN: Happy Christmas – and thank you MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights for DCN councils ...
The District Councils’ Network has responded to this afternoon’s Government local government finance policy statement. There will be a maximum coun...
In this bulletin: CLLR SAM CHAPMAN-ALLEN: DCN spoke and the Chancellor listened MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights for DCN cou...
The Government has today announced significant extra funding to ease homelessness pressures in response to a campaign led by the District Councils’...
The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the news that 12 of our member councils are to set to benefit from the third round of the Government’s ...
Two hundred people will gather in St Albans in March 2024 for one of the biggest events of the local government calendar. The District CouncilsR...
DCN has received significant press coverage after revealing the level of concern across our member councils about our spiralling use of temporary a...
119 council leaders have signed a letter to the Chancellor calling on him to address the homelessness and temporary accommodation crisis that threa...
In this email: CLLR BRIDGET SMITH: Districts’ climate action must be recognised MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights for DCN cou...
Survey reveals how inflation and rising demand for services is forcing district councils to make unpalatable choices Cherished local services – inc...
The District Councils’ Network is pleased that the Government has listened to our concerns about the unintended consequences of proposals to standa...
In this email: CLLR SAM CHAPMAN-ALLEN: Support for our councils must be prioritised MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights for DCN...
DCN has welcomed the news that 15 towns in district council areas are to receive funding through the Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns. Under p...
Thank you to everyone who attended the 18 September meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils. It was standing room only i...
DCN has responded to the Government’s consultation on capital risk metrics. In our response, DCN raised concerns about how these metrics will...
DCN has responded to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee’s inquiry into ‘Disabled people in the housing sector’. In our respo...
The District Councils’ Network has responded to the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday which suggested that councils will – after all – retain a hig...
Next year’s DCN Annual Conference will take place on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 March 2024. The event – the biggest gathering in the district counci...
DCN has responded to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Planning’s inquiry into England’s developer contributions system: “Coun...
The DCN has responded to the a consultation by DLUHC to automatically exempt certain properties from second and empty homes premiums. We expressed ...
The DCN has responded to the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into how DEFRA intends to implement collection and packaging reforms, as wel...
Responding to the launch of the Government’s Sports Strategy, ‘Get Active: A strategy for the future of sport and physical activity’, Cllr Hannah D...
A DCN/Norse Group roundtable brought together DCN member councils to discuss the challenges facing waste services and the opportunities to improve ...
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) strongly welcomes the Government’s announcement of new measures to address the impact of nutrient neutrality, ...
DCN has responded to the Government’s consultation on statutory guidance for local authorities on Best Value Duty, which closed yesterday. Th...
A DCN/Capita roundtable brought together member councils to contemplate how authorities can become more resilient amid rising demand and budget pre...
The District Councils’ Network has responded to the Government’s publication today of proposals to replace Local Enterprise Partnerships. A guidanc...
CLLR SAM CHAPMAN-ALLEN: Winter warmth preoccupies us during the summer sun MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights for DCN councils...
The Government has today announced a one-year delay in implementing Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging. Councils had previously expecte...
The district council sector supports the Government’s commitment to build one million homes this Parliament – but it has reiterated its view that l...
The role of district councils in integrated care was the subject of a recent DCN webinar. The event, held on 20 July, brought together the represen...
The District Councils’ Network has welcomed a House of Lords move to ensure that devolution deals could genuinely result in power being devolved to...
The District Councils’ Network has today’s developments relating to the launch of Oflog, the Office for Local Government. Speaking at the Local Gov...
Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said: “Many councils are experiencing unprecedented difficulties with the...
District councils’ fundamental role in determining the health of their communities makes them “indispensable strategic partners” in integrated care...
CLLR BRIDGET SMITH: Our four-day week has motivated staff to deliver MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights for DCN councils LGA C...
DCN chairman Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen has offered a bold vision for levelling up in district council areas in a book which was launched last night at...
The District Councils’ Network is one of 30 signatories to a letter warning the Government that its plans for an Infrastructure Levy are unworkable...
The DCN has urged Government action to set up a robust registration scheme for short-term lets, which member councils believe are leading to the ho...
CLLR SAM CHAPMAN-ALLEN: Resources are required to ensure private tenants are protected MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights for ...
In this District Councils’ Network email: SAM CHAPMAN-ALLEN: Our departing members’ legacy will live on MUST READS: Our round-up of media and polic...
‘Unworkable madness’: DCN concerns about waste reform spark media interest DCN concerns over the possible imposition of strict restric...
The project The council has set up a grant in partnership with the Lincolnshire Community Foundation. It is aimed at securing sustainable health a...
The project The council has developed a reactive and evolving Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), which it is reviewing quarterly and refreshing ...
District councils top recycling league table The success of district councils in recycling waste and reducing the overall amount of waste has been ...
Council tax: ‘Our logo is on the bill but we’re not getting the funding’ Funding for police and crime commissioners (PCCs) now takes up a gr...
Districts’ expertise must be embraced if Hunt’s growth plan is to be optimised Jeremy Hunt’s Budget has the potential to empower local places to dr...
The District Councils’ Network is pleased that the Government has listened to our call to support the crisis-hit leisure sector. As part of the Spr...
The anniversary of the Homes for Ukraine scheme being launched has highlighted the work of councils to help support Ukrainians escaping war. Englis...
District councils will thrive with financial freedom There is a balance to be struck between financial prudence and securing future growth opportun...
In this newsletter: DCN ANNUAL CONFERENCE: The highlights of the biggest gathering for district councils CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS: Two big developm...
DCN responds to proposed planning fee rise: ‘An essential boost to our over-stretched planners’ Under-pressure district council planning department...
The project The Council is working with energy company E.ON to decarbonise two existing district heating networks and to support the large scale de...
The Project Gateway 14 (G14) is a business, innovation, and logistics park. It is designated as one of three tax sites for Freeport East, providing...
Exclusive research has revealed unprecedented insight into the value people place on universal local public services and their trust in the council...
Districts Deliver: How local people view their councils Exclusive research has revealed unprecedented insight into the value people place on univer...
Rt Hon Brandon Lewis CBE MP is to serve as the new Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils, the District Councils’ Network...
‘A missed opportunity’: DCN responds to finance settlement District council budgets will remain under considerable pressure after the Government c...
Hunt and Gove urged to support leisure sector through energy crisis DCN has co-written a letter to the Chancellor and Levelling Up secretary urging...
In this bulletin: CLLR BRIDGET SMITH: Fix the water crisis or development may stop MUST-READS: Our round-up of media and policy highlights for dist...
Tomorrow’s district council leaders Last December, up-and-coming officers from district councils across England gathered for the final event of the...
Roundtable: Supporting our communities through the cost-of-living crisis The innovation of district councils in supporting the vulnerable through t...
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) welcomes the support package for Ukrainians in the UK announced by the Government this week. The DCN is partic...
DCN responds to Policy Statement on Local Government Finance: ‘A step forward but difficult choices remain for district councils’ District council ...
Levelling Up Bill: Government agrees to protect district council functions The District Councils’ Network has welcomed Michael Gove’s move to end t...
DCN responds to Autumn Statement: ‘Every community and every individual will feel poorer’ District councils have little alternative but to s...
Empowered councils can deliver net zero and clean growth Local government should be empowered to independently fund clean growth projects and lead ...
Hunt warned: further cuts will weaken shire communities District council leaders say they will have no option but to cut hugely valuable local serv...
Councils are running out of temporary accommodation in which to house growing numbers of people who are becoming homeless, exclusive research revea...
The House of Lords is my new arena from which to campaign for devolution Cllr Sharon Taylor, vice-chair, District Councils’ network As I con...
Yvonne is Chief executive of Cherwell District Council and Chair of the DCN’s Chief Executives Group What was your first job? As a ‘sporty girl’, m...
District Councils’ Network vice-chair Cllr Sharon Taylor has been awarded a peerage, Downing Street announced on Friday. Cllr Taylor, leader of Ste...
Councils’ cost-of-living support services threatened by £900m funding gap Crucial local services to help people through the cost-of-living crisis a...
DCN and Penna announce partnership Penna, the leading local government recruiter, has entered into a partnership with the District Councils’ Networ...
DCN and Capita announce partnership The District Councils’ Network is pleased to announce Capita as a new strategic partner. Our partnership will g...
This article features essential information from DCN’s September District Bulletin newsletter. MUST-READS: Our round-up of the crucial...
An opportunity has arisen to be ministers’ growth agenda partners The economic direction of travel under Liz Truss will differ from that under her ...
‘Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, district councils’ Districts have played a significant role in local commemorations for the Queen ...
The District Councils’ Network has responded to the Government’s plan to create investment zones to spearhead local growth. Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen,...
Government plans to protect councils from rising energy costs will provide some welcome respite for district councils, the District Councils’ Netwo...
Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, chairman of the District Councils’ Network, has issued the following statement in response to the death of Her Majesty the ...
A district council which is struggling to fill vacancies is set to become the first UK council to trial a four-day working week for its desk-based ...
