Consultants will be the victors from the mad rush to impose mega councils The rush to impose mega councils on local areas ignores the views of local...
Rushing reorganisation disempowers communities
read more
DCN Updates
No evidence exists to support mega councils, Government admits
Freedom of Information responses show no assessment undertaken to support 500k population floor for unitary councils The Government has admitted it has...
‘New councils should remain close to communities’
DCN survey reveals local opposition to mega councils with populations exceeding half a million District councils overwhelmingly believe that power should be...
Revealed: the three reforms that could deliver 100,000 affordable homes
A landmark report today sets out a comprehensive plan to tackle England’s housing crisis, including three reforms which would alone provide 100,000 affordable...
Social care reform should precede local government reorganisation
The District Councils’ Network has responded to the timetable announced for social care reform by the Government today. A review will be set up, led by...
District council services face cuts following tough finance settlement
Many district councils look set to be forced to make cuts to essential community services, after Government funding for next year was announced....
‘Mega councils’ threaten local services and delivery of homes and jobs
DCN responds to the English Devolution White Paper The English Devolution White Paper, published today, proposes extending combined authorities to cover the...
‘1.5 million planning consents doesn’t equate to 1.5 million homes’
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) has responded to the Government’s proposed reform of the National Planning Policy Framework. The Ministry of Housing,...
Essential services face an uncertain future – DCN reacts to finance statement
Essential local services continue to face an uncertain future after today’s Local Government Finance Policy Statement. All district councils need a guaranteed...
Ministers have listened to us on waste reform but financial challenges remain
The Government’s assurance that local areas will retain discretion over how waste is collected has been welcomed by district councils. Defra policy statements...
Fifty years of district innovation celebrated in Parliament
Around 40 MPs and peers mixed with district council innovators at a DCN reception last night which commemorated member councils’ 50th anniversary. The...
The Best Investment You’ll Ever Make (And No, I’m Not Talking About Bitcoin)
Development. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? Well, if you’re imagining long, dry workshops or endless PowerPoints,...