Free with sign in
An introduction to overview and scrutiny
This guide has been produced for elected members who are involved in the council’s overview and scrutiny process and want to develop their questioning skills.
England & Wales
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.
Featured:
Local health systems: relationships not structures
In this paper, based on interviews with council officers, we seek to develop an understanding of local government’s role within systems for health and wellbeing.
England & Wales
Member
Primer: The planning system
This primer introduces the planning process, common terms and phrases and details current issues within the planning system. It is part of a series of…
England & Wales, Scotland
ICLEI World Congress 2022 – Malmö, Sweden
This bundle compiles examples of content along each theme of the ICLEI World Congress 2022 Summit in Malmö, Sweden. We’ll be blogging and providing coverage…
Global
Members
Primer: the essentials of local government finance in England
This primer is designed to provide newly-elected councillors with 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 about finance.
England & Wales
Members
Counting the “cost”, carbon offsetting for local authorities: what are the options and how do they work
This guide provides an overview for local authorities on the controversial issue of carbon offsetting, a topic that polarises opinion. It gives local authorities context and signposts to resources that can support difficult organisational decision-making.
England & Wales, Global, Scotland
Primer time: Local government subject guides for new councillors
Our Primer series will help new councillors get on top of the complexities of some of the many different service areas that local authorities provide.
England & Wales
Members
Primer: Adult social care
This primer introduces you to some of the main issues in adult social care, especially topics that may be raised by local people seeking advice from their councillor. It is part of a series of primers, covering key local authority subjects, which are aimed particularly at new councillors to help them settle into the role.
England & Wales
A New Settlement: Place and Wellbeing in Local Government
Following the upheaval of the past year, the time is right for a radical restructuring of power, politics and policy around the needs of local places. That’s why we argue in this paper, and in the full report that will be published on Wednesday 16 June, that the UK needs a new “settlement for place”.…
England & Wales
Members
Primer: Cultural services
This primer introduces you to the arts and culture sector and local authority cultural services, covering libraries, museums, theatres, arts services, and leisure services. It is part of a series of primers, covering key local authority topics, which are aimed particularly at new councillors to help them settle into the role.
England & Wales
Bundle: Reforming social care: ideas, delays, history
To no one’s surprise, the Queen’s Speech did not include a plan for reforming adult social care, although the UK government says it is committed to bringing forward proposals. So are we any nearer fundamental change? This bundle explores the long-standing issues around adult social care and presents recent content on reform ideas.
England & Wales
Ones to Watch: LE2021
Two years’ worth of elections. 143 councils. 13 mayors. What’s at stake and what’s up for grabs in May 2021? This long read looks at the hot elections across England.
England & Wales
Free with sign in
Essential guide to local elections communications 2021
Local elections matter and how we talk about them matters. Effective communications can build enthusiasm for local democracy and this communications guide focuses on some easy steps that councils can take during the election period.
England & Wales
