New Local Government Network

New Local Government Network
Name	New Local Government Network
Formation	1996
Type	Think tank
Headquarters	London
Region served	United Kingdom
Leader title	Chief Executive

New Local Government Network is a British think tank founded in 1996 that focuses on local public services, devolution, and community empowerment. It engages with political parties, local authorities, civil society organisations, and academic institutions to promote reform of public institutions and place-based innovation. The organisation publishes research, convenes events, and advises policymakers, practitioners, and funders across the United Kingdom and European institutions.

History

The organisation was established in 1996 amid debates driven by the aftermath of the 1992 United Kingdom general election, the rise of the Labour Party (UK), and reforms following the Local Government Act 1992. Early activity intersected with campaigns around the 1997 United Kingdom general election, the New Labour agenda, and municipal renewal projects linked to the urban policy debates of the 1990s. Founders and early directors engaged with figures from the Local Government Association (England and Wales), the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and networks associated with the Coalition Government (United Kingdom) policymaking circles. Over time the organisation influenced discussions at the CIPFA conferences, contributed to inquiries by the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee, and intersected with initiatives by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the King's Fund, and the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce). Its timeline reflects wider shifts including the 2010 United Kingdom general election, the Brexit referendum of 2016, and subsequent devolution settlements such as the Scotland Act 2016 and debates around the Northern Powerhouse.

Organisation and Governance

Governance structures include a board of trustees and an executive team that liaises with local authorities like Manchester City Council, Bristol City Council, and Leeds City Council. The board has included figures from the IPPR, the Institute for Government, and the Resolution Foundation. Senior staff have engaged with academia through connections to London School of Economics, University College London, and the University of Oxford, and have appeared before select committees in the House of Commons and forums hosted by the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Government. The organisation operates as a registered charity or company limited by guarantee and submits filings to the Charity Commission for England and Wales and engages auditors from the Big Four and legal counsel with experience in matters before the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Policy Areas and Research

Research spans devolution, local finance, housing, public service reform, and place-based economic development. Studies link to policy debates involving the Mayor of London, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the Tees Valley Combined Authority; topics intersect with discussions by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Treasury (HM Treasury). Work draws on comparative models such as the Nordic model, reforms in the Netherlands, decentralisation in Spain, and subsidiarity principles in the European Union. The organisation has produced analysis related to the Localism Act 2011, the Care Act 2014, and funding mechanisms like the Barnett formula. It has engaged with themes explored by the OECD, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund on fiscal devolution, and collaborated with think tanks such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Adam Smith Institute, and Policy Exchange on cross-sector research projects.

Publications and Reports

The organisation issues reports, briefings, toolkits, and case studies aimed at councillors, chief executives, and civil society partners. Publications have been cited alongside work from the National Audit Office, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and the British Academy. Reports address topics reflected in legislation like the Housing and Planning Act 2016, inquiries such as the Public Accounts Committee (House of Commons), and initiatives promoted by bodies including the Local Government Association and the Centre for Cities. It maintains a programme of seminars and conferences featuring speakers from institutions such as Canterbury Christ Church University, the Institute of Welsh Affairs, Glasgow City Council, and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Influence and Campaigning

The organisation campaigns for greater local autonomy, financial resilience for councils, and innovations in public service delivery. It has lobbied ministers within the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, engaged with shadow ministers from the Conservative Party (UK) and the Liberal Democrats (UK), and advised mayors including Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan. Its advocacy intersects with trade associations like the Local Government Association and unions such as Unison (trade union), and it has worked with foundations including the Nesta, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and the Barrow Cadbury Trust. Internationally it has presented findings to bodies such as the Council of Europe and the European Committee of the Regions.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources include trusts, foundations, public sector contracts, and philanthropic donors. Partners have included the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and corporate partners active in public services procurement like Capita, Atos, and Serco Group. Collaborative research has involved universities such as the University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, and University of Leeds, and partnerships with think tanks including the Institute for Public Policy Research and Centre for Cities. It has accepted grants from charitable foundations and worked on commissions from central government departments including the Department for Work and Pensions.

Criticism and Controversies

Critics have questioned the impartiality of some funded projects and the proximity of staff to political actors across the Labour Party (UK), Conservative Party (UK), and Liberal Democrats (UK). Debates have arisen similar to controversies around other think tanks such as Atlantic Council and Chatham House over donor transparency and revolving-door employment with local authorities and central government. Specific disputes have been aired in outlets like The Guardian, The Times, and Financial Times and debated in committees including the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Questions about the influence of corporate partners echo broader critiques levelled at bodies like the Adam Smith Institute and Policy Exchange.

Category:Political and economic think tanks based in the United Kingdom