Value Local Government

Making the case for properly funded councils, stronger local services and communities where local government is respected, trusted and able to deliver.

Value Local Government is about making the case for councils that are properly funded, genuinely valued and recognised for the role they play in holding communities together.

Local government is one of the most important parts of democracy, yet it is often one of the least understood. Councils are responsible for many of the services people rely on every day, from social care, bin collections and housing, to planning, local regeneration, libraries, parks and support for vulnerable residents. When local government works well, communities are stronger, safer and more connected.

But councils across the country face growing pressure. Demand for services has increased significantly, particularly in statutory areas such as adult social care, children's services and housing support, while many authorities have had to operate under long-term financial strain. In some areas, councils are being asked to do more with less year after year, placing huge pressure on staff, local services and the communities that depend on them.

This campaign argues that strong local government should not be treated as an afterthought. Councils are not simply administrative bodies. They are democratic institutions rooted in the communities they serve, made up of elected representatives and officers working to make local places better.

There is often a tendency in national political debate to focus almost entirely on Westminster, while overlooking the decisions that most directly affect people's day-to-day lives. Yet many of the issues people care about most are shaped locally. The condition of town centres, the quality of local roads, support for families, planning decisions, community safety and local economic development are all influenced heavily by local government.

Value Local Government supports the principle that councils should have the stability, funding and public respect needed to plan properly for the future and deliver effectively for residents. That includes recognising the pressures local authorities face, encouraging greater public understanding of what councils actually do, and promoting constructive engagement between communities and local decision-makers.

This campaign is not about defending every decision made by every council. Local government, like all parts of democracy, should be open to challenge, scrutiny and debate. But criticism should also be balanced with recognition of the difficult responsibilities councils carry and the vital role they play within communities.

The campaign also encompasses respecting your elected representatives, and understanding the impact of abuse and intimidation and the need for respectful debate. Democracy Insight will explain how local government works to help broaden this understanding.

Our campaign promotes the simple idea that strong communities need strong local government. When councils are properly supported and trusted to deliver, local democracy becomes more meaningful, services become more resilient and communities are better placed to thrive.

Simply put we believe local government is important and that it deserves to be valued accordingly.