Over the last week, National Association of Local Councils (“NALC”) met with officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“DEFRA”) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (“MHCLG”) to discuss key issues affecting the Local Councils sector. 
At DEFRA’s Rural Affairs Forum, alongside other rural stakeholders, attendees were briefed on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
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In meetings with MHCLG’s Local Government Reorganisation and Communities teams, NALC highlighted the sector’s experience of reorganisation and the need for stronger engagement, clearer guidance, and greater support for parish and town councils.
Discussions also covered wider White Paper reforms, neighbourhood governance, and funding for sector support.
At all three meetings, NALC reiterated its strong disappointment that remote meetings and standards reform were not included in the King’s Speech.