Future Local Lab
Local Government ExplainedLocal government explained
Local government plays a vital role in shaping the places we live – delivering essential services, supporting communities, and responding to local needs. But how local government works can vary widely between countries, with different structures, responsibilities and ways of operating.
We break down complex systems into straightforward insights to support learning, comparison, and idea sharing – strengthening understanding of local democracy in action.
LGIU Research
Evidence-led innovation for empowering local government
Explore LGIU’s research portfolio and the work we do in partnership with our members to create impact and solutions that reshape the sector.
Topical explainers
Focuses on the role of local authorities in tackling the climate emergency and highlights three key areas of climate action: Read here
Cultural services are highly valued by communities; get up to speed on the local government perspective: Read here
Provides an overview of children’s services and how the councillor’s role overlaps: Read here
Covers some of the main issues in adult social care, including care arranged through a council, integration with the NHS, and pays particular attention to topics that may be raised by local people seeking advice from their councillor: Read here
Provides a short, non-technical introduction to the main features of local government finance in England, but should also be useful to others new to local government or wanting to find out more: Read here
A detailed introduction to local authority housing issues; key topics covered include homelessness, house building and renting: Read here
Introduces the planning process, common terms and phrases, explore current issues within the planning system and set out imminent changes to the planning process: Read here
LGIU Training: Build your capabilities today
For over 40 years, LGIU has been responding to the skill and training needs of local government. From finance to coaching, we offer your team essential professional development to move forward and make a difference.
How to write a plan
Working in local government involves a lot of plans. Council plans, community plans, partnership plans, place plans, service plans – whatever you are doing, there will be a plan. This guide is for anyone who needs to write a plan and is not sure where to start.
How to source, check and use reliable information
This guide explains how to filter, fact-check, and use the barrage of information we all face every day to quickly find what we need and ensure it’s reliable and useful.
How to build trust and a great profile
A guide for local councils on rebuilding public trust in the face of increasing online negativity and misinformation. Provides strategies and case studies for proactive social media engagement, transparency, and community collaboration.
How to write a policy document
Delve into the Machiavellian craft of the policy officer. We consider what policy is, what it does, and how to write policy which will do what you want it to do (and not what you don’t).
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