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Publications

We have an extensive catalogue of publications - research reports, long read articles, toolkits and best practice guidelines - that stem from our work with our member councils and other collaborations. Most publications are free to read and download as PDFs but you do need to be logged in to the website. Please sign in or set up an account if you don't already have one (this is free of charge). A few publications are for members only.

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Personal safety for councillors

Our personal safety is something many of us take for granted, this short guide offers some guidance on assessing risk and adopting strategies and behaviours…
England & Wales, Scotland

The state of local government finance 2023: survey results

To better understand the true picture of council finances in England, the Local Democracy Research Centre surveyed chief executives, directors of finance, and council leaders…
Member & Global Local

Case study roundup January 2023

Our new case study roundup for LGIU members and Global Local subscribers. Read notable practice highlights from our Daily News service and see case studies…
Australia, England & Wales, Global, Ireland, Scotland

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Building Connected Communities

Our research, in partnership with the Ramblers, shows that local authorities want to build places that encourage walking and active travel.

England & Wales
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Beyond Devolution – the final report of the Local Democracy Network

At this key moment in the trajectory of the UK it is crucial to ask what the future has in store for local democracy. This is precisely what we do in Beyond Devolution, the final report of the Local Democracy Network, which LGiU convened throughout 2017.

England & Wales
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The local vantage: how views of local government finance vary across councils

This report, jointly written by researchers at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) and PwC, looks at how the views of councils’ decision-makers relate to the characteristics of the councils they represent or work for.

England & Wales
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Reflections from the Frontline

Johanna Boyd reflects on her time spent as leader of Stirling Council and shares her insights into what makes a successful councillor.

Scotland
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Community collaboration: a councillor’s guide

Engaging people in the decisions that affect their lives is an essential feature of local democracy. This goes far beyond town hall meetings and opinion surveys: we must recognise that communities often hold the answers to their own problems and allow them an equal voice at the table. For the purposes of this report, we…

England & Wales
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Does local government work for women?

This interim report from the Commission on Women in Local Government outlines key findings from data analysis of women’s representation in councils across England and Wales, carried out by the Centre for Women and Democracy. It also presents the findings of an LGiU survey of 2,304 councillors, carried out between December 2016 and January 2017.

England & Wales
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Start of the possible

This report investigates for the first time the attitudes and perceptions of local elected representatives towards digital technology, governance and leadership in their authorities.

England & Wales