Communities are what being a councillor is all about. Everyone who makes the decision to stand for election does it out of a desire to make a positive difference to the lives of people in their community and to the places they live and work.
We have picked out a few items from our huge library of local government content that we hope will provide you with inspiration, ideas or just food for thought and make you want to delve deeper into the LGIU’s local government resources.
This page is part of LGIU’s resources for new councillors.
Disconnected Communities
Operating within communities, local authorities have the power to meaningfully engage with people who may feel cast adrift from mainstream national politics. This LGIU members briefing examines case studies from around the world to explore practices of ‘direct democracy’. Read the briefing.
Removing barriers for the seldom heard
This policy briefing looks at how local authorities can include as wide a range of people as possible in engagement and consultation and will be of interest to councillors striving for community engagement and empowerment. Read the briefing.
Libraries
Libraries are a precarious service area, but often hugely valued by communities. Over the past decades they have reinvented themselves and expanded their place in the life of a neighbourhood, often in the face of severe budgetary constraints. This link takes you to a range of policy briefings exploring library services.
Delving deeper
If we’ve piqued your interest, why not browse through the our communities and society topic page. From policy briefings to podcasts we have a wide range of content exploring this subject. Go to topic page.
Keep up to date on communities and society with LGIU
Sign up to our website and we will keep you up to date whenever we publish something on a topic you are interested in. Create your website account, it’s free and easy to do, when you get to the ‘My interests’ page select ‘communities and society’ and any other topics you want.
Are you an LGIU member?
LGIU was founded in the UK in 1983. Now as LGIU England & Wales, LGIU Scotland, LGIU Ireland and LGIU Australia, we work for and with local authorities around the world, helping them to serve their local communities more effectively. We provide our members with the mix of insight, ideas and innovation that they need to get the job done and plan for the future. Put simply, we are here supporting local government every day. Find out more about LGIU membership or register for free on our website.