Local Councils Network
Local Government Association special-interest group representing district and unitary council members.
On 16 October, Local Councils Network research found no clear link between council size and performance across 86 indicators, sharpening its case against treating larger unitary authorities as inherently more effective.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026
Timeline for Local Councils Network
Councils go to court over reorganisation
UK Local Elections 2026Background
The Local Councils Network is a cross-party organisation representing district and unitary councils in England. It operates as a special interest group of the Local Government Association, giving member councils a collective voice in national policy. Its institutional role centres on advocacy for councils and representation of their shared interests.
The organisation used the District Councils' Network name until March 2026. It adopted its present name because its membership already included unitary authorities and English local government was moving towards further reorganisation. The broader identity allows it to represent both district and unitary members without tying the organisation to one council structure. Its cross-party basis distinguishes the network's shared institutional advocacy from the programme of any single political party.
The network contests larger councils
On 16 October 2026, Local Councils Network research entered the debate over English council reorganisation. Its analysis found no clear link between larger council populations and better performance across 86 government indicators. That finding gave the network evidence against treating bigger unitary authorities as inherently more effective.
The intervention followed the organisation's March 2026 change from the District Councils' Network. By October 2026, it represented district and unitary councils whose structures were being debated in national policy. Council size therefore bears directly on the authorities the network exists to represent, making the research central to its advocacy rather than a detached contribution to the reorganisation argument.
What did the Local Councils Network's 2026 council-size research find?
How many councils does the Local Councils Network represent?
Why did the District Councils' Network change its name?
What is the Local Councils Network?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.