County Councils Network
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| County Councils Network | |
|---|---|
| Name | County Councils Network |
| Formation | 1997 |
| Type | Local government association |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Region | England |
| Membership | County councils and unitary authorities |
County Councils Network
The County Councils Network is a representative body for upper-tier local authorities in England that advocates for the interests of county and unitary councils. It engages with national institutions such as UK Parliament, HM Treasury, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and interacts with devolved bodies like the Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Executive. The organisation liaises with international institutions including the Council of Europe, OECD, and municipal associations such as the Local Government Association and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
History
Founded in the late 20th century, the organisation emerged amid reform debates following the Local Government Act 1992 and the restructuring influenced by the Banham Commission and the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration. Its early development paralleled high-profile events such as the 1997 United Kingdom general election and policy shifts under the Tony Blair ministry and later the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government. The network expanded membership during waves of unitary authority creation linked to decisions by the Department for Communities and Local Government and reforms associated with the Localism Act 2011 and the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016. Over the decades it has responded to national crises including the 2008 United Kingdom bank rescue package, the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, and fiscal austerity measures tied to Autumn Statement (United Kingdom) decisions by successive Chancellor of the Exchequer incumbents.
Structure and Membership
The membership comprises upper-tier councils such as traditional county councils and some unitary authorities formed from reorganisations like those stemming from Isle of Wight Council changes or Cornwall Council transitions. Members include councils in regions represented by the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East England, South West England, East of England, North West England, and Yorkshire and the Humber. The network operates with a board of elected leaders drawn from member councils, reflecting political groups including Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Liberal Democrats (UK), and independent council leaders. Committees coordinate with sector bodies such as the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the Society of County Treasurers, and the County Treasurers' Association while engaging academics from institutions like London School of Economics, University of Oxford, University of Manchester, and think tanks including Institute for Fiscal Studies, Resolution Foundation, and IPPR.
Roles and Functions
The organisation represents members in negotiations with national actors such as the Cabinet Office, the Home Office, the Department for Education, the Department for Transport, and the National Health Service (England). It produces research and briefings for bodies like the National Audit Office, the Public Accounts Committee, and the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee. The network convenes conferences and engages with policy outlets including BBC News, The Guardian, Financial Times, and parliamentary stakeholders such as the House of Lords and select committees. It collaborates with sectoral partners including Highways England, Environment Agency, Arts Council England, and the Local Enterprise Partnerships to shape policy on infrastructure, adult social care, childrens' services, and rural affairs.
Policy Positions and Advocacy
The network campaigns on funding settlements and fiscal devolution, interacting with finance ministers like successive Chancellor of the Exchequers and engaging on legislation such as the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Wales Act 2017 where cross-border issues arise. It has published positions on adult social care funding referenced alongside reports from King's Fund and the Care Quality Commission. The organisation has advocated on transport policy in conversation with Department for Transport strategies and infrastructure programmes including High Speed 2 and road maintenance funding influenced by National Highways. It takes stances on planning frameworks linked to the National Planning Policy Framework and housing delivery debates involving Homes England and major schemes like the Garden City movement-inspired projects. The network also addresses emergency resilience with agencies like Civil Contingencies Act 2004 responders and the Met Office during extreme weather events.
Governance and Funding
Governance follows a constitution with a board, executive officers, and annual general meetings attended by leaders from councils such as Surrey County Council, Lancashire County Council, Kent County Council, Devon County Council, and Norfolk County Council. The secretariat operates from an office in London and employs policy staff who liaise with external auditors like the Local Government Association auditors and consulting firms including PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, and Ernst & Young. Funding streams include membership subscriptions from constituent councils, consultancy income, and commissioned research funded by agencies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Research and regional bodies like Local Enterprise Partnership funds. Financial oversight aligns with requirements from the Audit Commission era reforms and current standards set by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Impact and Criticism
The organisation has influenced settlements and devolution deals negotiated with regional mayors such as those of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority, and contributed evidence to inquiries by the House of Commons Treasury Committee and House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee. Critics from councils and commentators in outlets like The Times and The Telegraph have argued that its positions favor rural and shire interests over urban authorities such as those in Greater London Authority or metropolitan boroughs like Liverpool City Council and Birmingham City Council. Academic critiques from researchers at University of Cambridge and University of York have questioned representational balance, while supporters cite outcomes in service funding and infrastructure loans influenced during negotiations with the European Investment Bank prior to the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016. Ongoing debates involve interactions with national party politics, fiscal allocations debated at Autumn Statement (United Kingdom), and the organisation’s role in shaping post‑Brexit regional policy alongside entities like the Local Government Association and the Town and Country Planning Association.