In the aftermath of the local elections – perhaps the most consequential in recent history – the County Councils Network’s (CCN) political proportionality has changed.
While to outsiders it may feel like a much-changed CCN, the reality is that we have always been a broad church, not only incorporating the views of a diverse range of political parties and councillors, but the differing needs of unique counties across England.
With new councillors come fresh ways of thinking, and we’re keen to engage new and old faces on their ideas as we begin to shape our advocacy over the next year and beyond.
You can read about the CCN’s latest priorities, research, and lobbying in our Councillors Guide 2025, which also has an introduction to the network and explains how you can get involved. It is available on our website, at www.countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/publications.
But in the short term, there are many key issues looming large on the horizon, many of which will be of real importance to all county and unitary councils.
We know that local residents want well-run, efficient and easily accessible services.
Therefore, the funding of local services will continue to be uppermost in council leaders’ minds – and the Spending Review on 11 June is pivotal in setting out how much will be available to councils.
Having set out clear evidence that adult social care, children’s services and special educational needs (SEND) services are the ‘big three’ areas that are driving costs over the course of this Parliament, the network will be making the strongest possible case for additional funding for county and unitary councils over the course of the Spending Review.
The Spending Review will also set out how much will likely be available for re-distribution in the fair funding review. Here, it is vital that no county and unitary council loses out in funding.
But we recognise that the fiscal circumstances for the Chancellor are tight, and that is why we will be continuing to make the case for public sector reform to go alongside funding: ensuring that any investment into local government sees the public pound go as far as possible.
We know that major changes are coming in adult social care, children’s services and SEND, and it is vital that councils have a strong financial foundation on which to then drive forward reforms that address demand and soaring costs in these services.
Away from the big service areas, an increased pot of money will also enable councils to improve the ‘bread and butter’ services; the ones residents see and use every day, such as roads maintenance, street lighting, and libraries.
For the CCN, we are also preparing work in a variety of areas, such as economic growth, devolution, bus services and much more, while also supporting our county council members to put forward sustainable proposals for local government reorganisation.
Rest assured, we will continue to do our all to represent the issues that matter most to county and unitary councils, so local councillors can deliver for residents and businesses.
- The CCN’s annual conference is from 16-18 November, see www.countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk for more information.