The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is actively engaging with the new government, responding to consultations and initiatives on behalf of its members.
In a recent reception attended by 200 key national bodies, NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, and senior officials had direct contact with new ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), including Secretary of State Steve Reed MP, and Ministers Daniel Zeichner MP and Emma Hardy MP.
Steve Reed MP emphasized the importance of rural areas in the government's agenda, expressing a desire to collaborate with key partners like NALC, stating, "your voices will be heard." Cllr Stevens took the opportunity to brief the ministers on the critical role local councils play in supporting rural communities and discussed water quality and flooding prevention with Emma Hardy MP, a former Hessle town councillor.
In a further positive development, Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), indicated potential support for NALC’s push for remote meetings. Responding to a question from Daisy Cooper MP, McMahon highlighted the government's intent to ensure local government is "modern, efficient, flexible, and diverse," suggesting that hybrid meetings could be a beneficial step.
NALC also engaged with MHCLG officials on the government's planning reforms and devolution efforts, underscoring the vital role local councils play in neighbourhood planning and seeking further involvement in shaping these policies.