LCN Updates
DCN becomes the Local Councils Network
DCN is becoming the Local Councils Network: Your questions answered
New blog: Majority believe local government reorganisation will increase organisational cyber security risk if not managed carefully.
DCN Conference: Everything you need to know
DCN responds to reinstatement of cancelled local polls
‘The exclusion of planning authorities from strategic planning defies sense’
DCN responds to the Final Local Government Finance Settlement
Red tape removal could see thousands of council homes builtÂ
Cuts to flood protection force councils to step in
Who controls the data after LGR?
DCN responds to announcement of delay to local elections
Who we are
The Local Councils Network (LCN) speaks up for 169 councils across England and supports them to build better places.
We champion the critical role played by councils within a devolved system, asserting that power, responsibility and accountability should sit as close to communities as possible.
Politically neutral and led by our members, we bring together senior councillors and officers to develop collective priorities, influence national policy decisions and strengthen local leadership.
Through direct support, advocacy and peer collaboration, LCN equips councils to lead with confidence into the future. As the local government landscape changes it’s our role to ensure councils remain visible, influential and effective democratic leaders of the people and places they serve.
LCN was formerly known as the District Councils’ Network. We’ve evolved in response to local government reorganisation and our desire to build a bold new body that represent all councils, whether unitary or district. We remain a special interest group of the Local Government Association.
Our member councils deliver local government services to 21 million people, cover 57% of England by area and are home to 36% of England’s businesses.
Reports
Research undertaken or commissioned by LCN on the issues that matter most to our members
‘Small unitary councils can boost children’s services’
New report: Social care reorganisation offers ‘chance to reset’ services
Growth, reform and trust: Creating places that deliver the potential of LGR
English Devolution White Paper: DCN’s briefing
Revealed: the three reforms that could deliver 100,000 affordable homes
Driving better health outcomes: districts’ role in ICSs
Districts Deliver: How local people view their councils
Empowered councils can deliver net zero and clean growth
Innovation Spotlight
Showcasing LCN member councils’ innovative approaches on place leadership, wellbeing and environmental issues
Pendle: The Yes Hub
Watford: Town Hall Quarter
Cambridge: Decarbonising transport
South Norfolk: District Direct social prescribing
Tendring: Primary school wellbeing hubs
Reigate & Banstead: Health creation networks
North Warwickshire: Household welcome bundle
Stafford: Local plan engagement
New Forest: Mental health practitioner
East Hampshire: Pinewood pods
East Devon: Innovation and resilience fund
Epsom and Ewell: Digital engagement
Partners
LCN partners with trusted private sector organisations.
Find out about their work by clicking on their logos
