Future Local Lab
Local Government Explained
Local Elections England: 2026It’s been another one of those years – and there seem to have been so many recently – where if you blink you miss something. And nowhere was this more true than for local government.
The part of democratic government closest to people’s lives, local government delivers the services that communities everywhere rely on. That councils manage to do this in an increasingly challenging landscape is testament to the people who are local government – council staff and our elected representatives.
So, thank you for everything that you do for us…
LGIU is a not-for-profit, non-partisan membership organisation that is proud to have been on the side of local government for more than 40 years, empowering councils to tackle the biggest challenges we’re all facing, today and in the future, with shared ideas, resources and connections. And 2024 was no different…
Resources valued by staff and councillors
- Daily News: the top local government news stories across the country for our members in the UK, Ireland and Australia – every morning at 6am.
“The range of briefings and news articles which I receive – enhances my understanding of complex local government matters.”
- In-depth policy briefings: more than 260 legislation guides, subject round-ups, and explainers on the subjects that matter to our member countries
“The information and briefings are very informative and provide great insight, case studies and learnings.”
- Case studies: 180+ in-depth explorations spotlighting international local government innovation with actionable insights for real-world application.
“The case studies from other local authorities [are most useful]”
- Interviews and thought leadership: we shared more than 280 examples of our members’ experience and wisdom across our networks.
“[LGIU…] keeps me up to date with news, policies and other local authorities.”
- Training: we focus on the skills and topics that matter to councils. This year, we’ve run 75 sessions for more than 1,000 delegates on topics ranging from organisational development to the nuts and bolts of local government finance.
“The training was conducted in a way that anyone could understand. It was ten times better than […other providers…] training.”
Our strength is our members
LGIU is member-owned and member-led. Our 270 member organisations shape our priorities and set the agenda via their Members’ Assembly and the more than 200 in-depth conversations we have with local government leaders this and every year.
You speak, we listen, together, we act.
“[LGIU provides…] a wide range of information and activities that helps to make a powerful case for the importance of local government.”
- The Saving Local Government Finance Summit convened the full spectrum of the sector to lay the foundations of a roadmap for local government finance reform.
- We took our members’ views on local government reform and finance to Westminster, to the Scottish Parliament, and into the offices of Ministers.
- We were heard across national and regional media more than 2,600 times this year.
We spearhead a coalition of local government expertise
The LGIU’s Local Democracy Research Centre gathers evidence and develops ideas for change and innovation in local government. We bring together experts, practitioners, and academics to investigate the key challenges for local democracy around the world. The results are agenda-setting research with real-world impact.
This year, research for the future of local government included:
- Funding systems for local government – international comparisons
- Major projects surveying the state of local government finance in England and Scotland
- How can 10 years of English devolution inform our response to the UK Government’s White Paper?
- Research for Cornwall Council to support the development of the Cornwall White Paper
- Joint research with SGS Economics and Planning for the Australian Local Government Association on the financial sustainability of Australian local government
- Electoral administration and the state of electoral integrity in the UK
- An exploration of the role of risk and risk management in local government
- A practitioner-led research agenda for local government
We are champions of local democracy
The mandate of local government is equal to any.
- Our work promoting the importance of local elections and support for newly elected councillors makes clear that local democracy is vital to the health of our whole democracy.
- Once again, the LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards showcased the vital contribution councillors make to our communities. 2024 marked the 15th anniversary of this celebration in England and the 7th in Scotland.
We are a trusted voice.
And proud to be a valued partner of many local government friends and colleagues.
- In 2024 our international Global Local Executive Panels brought together local government leaders, practitioners and a coalition of other experts to discuss topics ranging from declining public trust in government to supporting and managing coastal communities.
- Events in partnership with SmartCitiesWorld, VLGA and other partners connected practitioners with ideas for building resilient, sustainable places.
- More than 50 speaking and debating platforms this year, including workshops and events with NILGA, SOLACE, County Councils Network, Sigoma, APSE, District Councils Network, Victorian Local Government Association, COSLA
Our future is local...
