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Our latest news & articles below
DCN Consultation Response: Local Government Pension Scheme: Fair Deal – Strengthening pension protection
DCN Consultation Response: Local Government Pension Scheme: Fair Deal – Strengthening pension protection
DCN Consultation Response: improving our management of water in the environment
The District Councils’ Network response to the Defra consultation on improving our management of water in…
DCN Consultation Response: Improving access to social housing for members of the Armed Forces, Veterans, and their families
Improving access to social housing for members of the Armed Forces, Veterans, and their families…
DCN Consultation Response: Protecting and Enhancing England’s Trees and Woodlands
Protecting and Enhancing England’s Trees and Woodlands The District Councils’ Network response to the Defra consultation…
DCN Consultation Response: review of Local Authorities’ relative needs and resources
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG consultation on the review of Local Authorities’…
DCN Consultation Response: Business Rates Retention Reform
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG consultation on Business Rates Retention Reform
DCN responds to HCLG Committee report on the future of the high street
DCN responds to HCLG Committee Responding to the report published today by the HCLG Committee…
DCN responds to waste strategy consultation
Responding to the launch of consultations on the new Resources and Waste Strategy, Cllr Isobel…
DCN responds to funding announced for new garden towns
Responding to £9 million in additional government funding announced for new garden towns, Cllr Mark Crane,…
Information on Brexit
Brexit – links and information The DCN have set up this page to help support…
DCN Consultation Response: Biodiversity Net Gain
The District Councils’ Network response to the Defra Biodiversity Net Gain can be found at this…
Public health role of district councils needs to be better rewarded, says DCN
District councils need to be better rewarded for their essential and effective role in…
DCN Consultation Response: Developer contributions reform
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG Developer contributions reform: technical consultation can be found…
DCN responds to written ministerial statement on Brexit funding
Responding to a written ministerial statement on Brexit funding for local government, which confirms that…
DCN Consultation Response: Considering the case for a Housing Court
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG consultation: Considering the case for a Housing Court…
DCN Consultation Response: Business Rates Treatment of self-catering accommodation
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG consultation Business Rates Treatment of self-catering accommodation can…
DCN Consultation Response: Planning Reform: Supporting the high street and increasing the delivery of new homes
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG consultation on Planning Reform: Supporting the high street and…
DCN Consultation Response: provisional local government finance settlement
The District Councils’ Network response to the provisional local government finance settlement can be found at…
DCN responds to NHS long term plan
Responding to the NHS long term plan, Cllr Isobel Darby, DCN Member Lead for Quality…
DCN responds to new Government waste strategy
Responding to the Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy, launched today, Cllr Isobel Darby, DCN Lead…
DCN responds to Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement
Responding to the provisional local government finance settlement, District Councils’ Network Chairman, Cllr John Fuller,…
DCN responds to Disabled Facilities Grant review
Responding to the publication of an independent review into the Disabled Facilities Grant, DCN spokesperson…
DCN Consultation Response: National Planning Policy Framework
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG consultation on changes to planning policy and guidance,…
DCN responds to research into commercial investment
Responding to recent research into commercial investment, Cllr Mark Crane, DCN lead for stronger economies, said: “District…
DCN responds to new housebuilding figures
Responding to new housebuilding figures published by Government, District Councils’ Network Chairman, Cllr John Fuller,…
DCN Consultation Response: rent for social housing
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG consultation on Rents for Social Housing was…
DCN Consultation Response: social housing green paper
The District Councils’ Network response to the MHCLG social housing green paper was submitted on…
DCN Consultation Response: Identification of taxis and private hire vehicles entering charging Clean Air Zones
The District Councils’ Network response to the DEFRA consultation on “Identification of taxis and private…
DCN responds to the launch of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s Prevention Vision
Responding to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s Prevention Vision, Cllr John…
DCN responds to the announcement concerning local government reorganisation in Buckinghamshire
Responding to today’s announcement concerning local government reorganisation in Buckinghamshire Cllr John Fuller, DCN Chairman…
DCN report on Tackling Homelessness
you can click here to access a pdf version Background Following the welcome passage of…
DCN: Rising costs of homelessness must be reflected in future funding formula
DCN: RISING COSTS OF HOMELESSNESS MUST BE REFLECTED IN FUTURE FUNDING FORMULA Rising levels of…
DCN: All Right to Buy receipts should have longer timeframe
DCN: ALL RIGHT TO BUY RECEIPTS SHOULD HAVE LONGER TIMEFRAME In its submission to a…
DCN response to the consultation on the use of receipts from Right to Buy sales
The District Councils’ Network responded to the government consultation on use of receipts from Right…
DCN responds to announcement on lifting the housing borrowing cap
DCN RESPONDS TO ANNOUNCEMENT ON LIFTING THE HOUSING BORROWING CAP Responding to an announcement today…
DCN calls for more freedoms and funding reassurance in submission to Autumn Budget
DCN CALLS FOR MORE FREEDOMS AND FUNDING REASSURANCE IN SUBMISSION TO AUTUMN BUDGET Following the…
DCN Autumn Budget Submission 2018
The District Councils’ Network have made their submission to government ahead of the Autumn Budget scheduled…
DCN responds to LGA adult social care green paper
DCN RESPONDS TO LGA ADULT SOCIAL CARE GREEN PAPER Responding to the Local Government Association’s…
DCN Consultation Response: LGA adult social care green paper
The District Councils’ Network response to the Local Government Association consultation on adult social care, was…
DCN: Reward, don’t punish, Districts in finance settlement
DCN: REWARD, DON’T PUNISH, DISTRICTS IN FINANCE SETTLEMENT District councils should be rewarded and not…
DCN responds to Technical Settlement Consultation
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DCN responds to social housing green paper
DCN RESPONDS TO SOCIAL HOUSING GREEN PAPER Responding to the Government’s Social Housing Green Paper,…
DCN responds to the Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy
DCN RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT’S ROUGH SLEEPING STRATEGY Responding to today’s publication of the Government’s Rough…
DCN responds to the revised National Planning Policy Framework
DCN RESPONDS TO THE REVISED NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK Responding to the Government’s changes to…
DCN responds to announcement on negative RSG
DCN RESPONDS TO ANNOUNCEMENT ON NEGATIVE RSG Responding to the Government’s announcement ensuring councils will…
DCN responds to announcement on Local Enterprise Partnerships
DCN RESPONDS TO ANNOUNCEMENT ON LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIPS Responding to the Government’s policy paper on…
APPG for District Councils Report: Delivering the District Difference
All Party Parliament Group for District Councils Report: Delivering the District Difference The All-Party…
MPs say ‘Prevent negative RSG and give districts more tools to grow local economies’
A cross-party group of Parliamentarians has called on the government to empower districts with “suitable local…
DCN responds to appointment of new housing minister
Responding to the appointment of Kit Malthouse MP as the new Minister of State for…
DCN unveils 2018/19 leadership team
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) has today, at its Annual General Meeting, confirmed its leadership…
DCN responds to social housing investment announcement
Responding to an announcement by Government of £1.67 billion to build affordable homes and a…
DCN responds to draft analysis of Letwin review
Responding to draft analysis of the Letwin review into housebuilding, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of…
DCN responds to Theresa May’s speech on NHS funding
Responding to Theresa May’s keynote speech on NHS funding, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the…
DCN and Grant Thornton Transformation in localities toolkit
Background to the toolkit The Toolkit builds on our previous DCN research and the preliminary…
DCN and LGA report: Shaping healthy places: exploring the district council role in health
DCN and LGA report “Shaping healthy places: exploring the district role in health” Introduction This…
DCN launches transformation toolkit
DCN LAUNCHES TRANSFORMATION TOOLKIT The District Councils’ Network has today launched a “Transformation in Localities…
DCN responds to the Developer Contributions Consultation
In submitting its response to the Developer Contributions Consultation, Cllr Mark Crane, DCN Members’ Board…
DCN responds to the revised NPPF consultation
In submitting its response to the revised NPPF consultation, Cllr Mark Crane, DCN Members’ Board…
DCN Consultation Response: Developer Contributions
The District Councils’ Network response to the consultation on developer contributions, was submitted on 10/05/2018…
DCN Consultation Response: NPPF
The District Councils’ Network response to the consultation on the revised National Planning Policy Framework,…
DCN responds to appointment of new local government minister
DCN RESPONDS TO APPOINTMENT OF NEW LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER Responding to the appointment of the Rt…
DCN responds to HCLG Committee report on retained business rates
DCN RESPONDS TO HCLG COMMITTEE REPORT ON RETAINED BUSINESS RATES Responding to a report by the Housing,…
DCN responds to the Spring Statement
DCN RESPONDS TO THE SPRING STATEMENT Responding to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Cllr John Fuller,…
DCN Consultation Response: Fair Funding Review
The District Councils’ Network response to the Governments Fair funding review: a review of relative…
DCN responds to Government announcement on Buckinghamshire single unitary plan
DCN RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON BUCKINGHAMSHIRE SINGLE UNITARY PLAN Responding to today’s announcement by…
DCN responds to NAO report on financial sustainability of councils
DCN RESPONDS TO NAO REORT ON FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF COUNCILS Responding to today’s National Audit…
DCN responds to new national planning policy framework
DCN RESPONDS TO NEW NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK Responding to the new National Planning Policy…
DCN Responds to IFS report on business rates
DCN RESPONDS TO IFS REPORT ON BUSINESS RATES Responding to a report by the Institute…
DCN project with NHS England – press release
NHS England have issued the following press release which references the work the DCN have been supporting…
Cllr John Fuller, DCN Chairman – DCN Conference 2018 Opening Address
Cllr John Fuller addressed the DCN conference where he outlined how districts deliver better lives and…
DCN responds to final Local Government Finance Settlement
DCN RESPONDS TO FINAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE SETTLEMENT Responding to the final Local Government Finance…
DCN responds to winning bids to Housing Infrastructure Fund
DCN RESPONDS TO WINNING BIDS TO HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Responding to today’s announcement that 133…
DCN Consultation Response: Supported Housing Funding
The District Councils’ Network response to the Governments consultation on Supported Housing Funding was submitted on…
DCN: ‘UNFAIR’ COUNCIL TAX MEASURES HINDERING DISTRICT COUNCILS’ INTEGRAL PREVENTION ROLE
District councils are pressing for changes to the “unfair” system governing council tax increases which…
District Councils’ Network response to the provisional 2018-19 local government finance settlement
The District Councils’ Network response to the provisional 2018-19 local government finance settlement was submitted on…
Improving Access to Social Housing for Victims of Domestic Abuse – DCN Response
The District Councils’ Network response to the Government’s consultation “Improving Access to Social Housing for…
Proposed changes to the prudential framework of capital finance – DCN Response
The District Councils’ Network response to the Government’s consultation “Proposed changes to the prudential framework…
DCN Response to the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement
Responding to the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the District…
Homelessness Guidance for Local Authorities – DCN Consultation Response
The District Councils’ Network response to the Governments consultation “Homelessness Guidance for Local Authorities” was submitted…
DCN Response to the Industrial Strategy
Responding to the publication of the Industrial Strategy White Paper, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of…
DCN Response to the 2017 Autumn Budget
DCN RESPONDS TO 2017 AUTUMN BUDGET Responding to the Autumn Budget, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman…
DCN RESPONSE TO RESPUBLICA REPORT
Responding to a ResPublica press release on its report ‘Devo 2.0 Responding to a ResPublica…
DISTRICT COUNCILS OUTLINE EMPHASIS ON NEW POWERS TO ENSURE DEVELOPERS BUILD OUT PERMITTED LAND IN RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT PLANNING CONSULTATION
DISTRICT COUNCILS OUTLINE EMPHASIS ON NEW POWERS TO ENSURE DEVELOPERS BUILD OUT PERMITTED LAND IN…
Planning for the right homes in the right places – DCN Consultation Response
The District Councils’ Network response to the Governments consultation “Planning for the right homes in…
DCN Response to 2018-19 Local Government Finance Settlement Consultation
The DCN submitted their response to the 2018-19 Local Government Finance Settlement Consultation on 26/10/2017.…
DCN Briefing ‘The future availability of resources for the provision of District Council services in two-tier areas’ (House of Lords debate)
The District Councils’ Network briefing for the debate on ‘The future availability of resources for…
DCN Budget Submission Autumn 2017
The DCN Submission to the Autumn Budget 2017 can be found at this link
DISTRICT COUNCILS CALL FOR COUNCIL TAX RAISING POWERS FOR NEW HEALTH PRECEPT
District councils must be able to raise council tax by 2 per cent to invest…
DCN RESPONDS TO CONSULTATION ON TACKLING UNFAIR PRACTICES IN LEASEHOLD MARKET
The DCN has submitted a response to the Government consultation on tackling unfair practices in…
DCN RESPONDS TO TECHNICAL CONSULTATION ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE SETTLEMENT
Responding to the Government’s technical consultation on the 2018/19 Local Government Finance Settlement, Cllr John…
DCN RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON CONSULTATION FOR ASSESSING HOUSING NEED
Responding to the Government’s announcement on its consultation for assessing housing need, Cllr John Fuller,…
DCN RESPONDS TO LGA’S ANALYSIS OF PLANNING APPLICATION COSTS
Responding to the LGA’s analysis of planning application costs, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the…
DISTRICT COUNCILS RESPOND TO LGO REPORT ON BIN COLLECTION COMPLAINTS
Responding to the Local Government Ombudsman’s report ‘Lifting the lid on bin complaints’, Cllr John…
APPG report: District council collaboration and devolution in England
APPG for District Councils report: Modern Industrial Strategy must start in the districts District council…
APPG report: District council collaboration and devolution in England
APPG for District Councils report: Modern Industrial Strategy must start in the districts District council…
New Chair and Vice Chair of DCN Chief Executive’s Group announced
A new Chair and Vice Chair of the District Councils’ Network’s Chief Executives’ Group have…
New Chairman of the District Councils’ Network announced
The new Chairman of the District Councils’ Network has been confirmed today as Cllr John…
DCN responds to Queen’s Speech
Responding to the Queen’s Speech, Cllr Neil Clarke, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said…
Vital National Conference Highlights District Councils’ Dementia Solutions
A vital national conference is bringing together district councils and partners today (June 16) to…
DCN Responds to 100% Business Rates Consultations
The DCN’s response to the DCLG consultation into 100 per cent retention of business rates…
DCN Responds to Housing White Paper
The DCN has submitted a response to the Government’s Housing White Paper consultation. It sets…
DCN responds to the Industrial Strategy Green Paper
The DCN has submitted a response to the Government’s Industrial Strategy consultation. It includes a…
District Councils’ Network responds to Localis report on Industrial Strategy
Responding to the new Localis report ‘Making an Industrial Strategy – taking back control locally’,…
District Councils’ Network responds to Budget Statement 2017
Press Release – DISTRICT COUNCILS RESPOND TO BUDGET 2017 Responding to the Budget 2017, Cllr…
DCN consultation response on funding for supported housing
DCN consultation response to government plans for a new housing costs funding model for supported…
Out of an existential crisis exudes optimism
In the Local Government Chronicle, 3 February 2017: COMMENT: LGC’s take on the mood at the…
Districts protest changes to New Homes Bonus in settlement response
In Public Finance, 13 January 2017: Planned changes to the New Homes Bonus will have an…
Districts dig in to deliver housebuilding revolution
Commenting on today’s publication of the Housing White Paper ‘Fixing the broken Housing Market’, Cllr…
Districts Delivering Growth
‘Districts Delivering Growth’ was the dominant theme of the DCN’s inaugural national conference – which…
DCN submission to the March 2017 Budget
The DCN has submitted a representation to HM Treasury ahead of the 2017 March Budget…
New Homes Bonus reforms punish housebuilding districts
Reforms to the New Homes Bonus outlined in the provisional local government finance settlement will…
District Councils’ Network responds to provisional local government finance settlement 2017/18
In response to today’s provisional local government finance settlement, Cllr Neil Clarke, chairman of the…
District chiefs urged to take part in collaboration and devolution inquiry
In LocalGov.co.uk, 24 November 2016: District councils have been urged to submit evidence to an inquiry…
DCN Autumn Statement 2016 Briefing
District Councils’ Network on the day member briefing responding to the 2016 Autumn Statement.
District Councils’ Network responds to Autumn Statement 2016
In response to today’s Autumn Statement announcement, Cllr Neil Clarke MBE, chairman of the District…
APPG for District Councils Inquiry: Collaboration and Devolution
All Party Parliament Group for District Councils Inquiry: Collaboration and Devolution Call for evidence The…
Neil Clarke: County unitaries are no panacea
In LGC, 21 November 2016: The future’s bright. The future’s local, writes DCN chairman Cllr Neil…
Districts and the transformation agenda
In The MJ, 8 November 2016: Sandra Dinneen, chair of the DCN chief executives’ group, says…
DCN high level response to: “CCN response to independent studies on structural reform”
DCN high level response to: “CCN response to independent studies on structural reform” Commenting in…
DCN response to 2017-18 Local Government Finance Settlement – technical consultation
Click here to access the DCN’s response to the 2017/18 Local Government Finance Settlement technical…
DCN responds to Local Plans concerns in new Neighbourhood Planning Bill clauses
Responding to new amendments in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, Cllr Gillian Brown, Planning and Growth…
Districts call for greater housebuilding powers in Autumn Statement
In Public Sector Executive, October 7, 2016: The government should give councils more powers to build…
Updated: District Councils Network – Neighbourhood Planning Bill Second Reading Briefing for 19 October 2016
District Councils Network – Neighbourhood Planning Bill Second Reading Briefing for 21/10/2016
DCN representation to Autumn Statement 2016
The DCN has submitted a representation to HM Treasury ahead of the 2016 Autumn Statement…
Neil Clarke and Mark Pawsey MP: In praise of district councils
In Conservative Home, 16 September 2016: Brexit shows that we ignore local identity and what…
District Councils’ Network responds to DCLG consultation: ‘Self-sufficient local government: 100% business rates retention’
In response to the DCLG consultation into 100 per cent retention of business rates, Cllr…
100% Business Rate Retention: joint statement on CCN, DCN and RSN shared principles
Joint Statement The County Councils Network (CCN), District Councils’ Network (DCN) and Rural Services Network…
Public health cuts ‘false economy’, MPs say
In LocalGov.co.uk, 1 September 2016: In response to the committee’s findings, Cllr Neil Clarke, chairman of…
District Councils’ Network responds to Commons Health Committee report on Public Health post-2013
The Commons Health Select Committee today issued a report entitled Public Health Post-2013 – Structures,…
Districts’ role in prevention should be part of mainstream policy
In the LGC, 31 August 2016: DCN Chairman Cllr Neil Clarke says districts are well…
DCN response to Community Infrastructure Levy consultation
DCN response to CIL Review Panel
DCN response to Local Plans Expert Group
District councils outlined a series of reforms to the Local Plans Expert Group aimed at…
We need more flexibility on planning
In The MJ, 16 August 2016: It is important that the performance of councils in approving…
Let districts step up to the plate for public health
In The MJ, 2 August 2016: Sandra Dinneen, chair of the DCN chief executives’ group,…
DCN consultation response: New Homes Bonus – ‘sharpening the incentive’
The District Councils’ Network response to the DCLG’s consultation into reform of the New Homes…
DCN response to CLG Committee inquiry into 100 per cent business rates retention
DCN response to Commons Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into 100 per cent business…
Partnerships
Partnerships The DCN is a special interest group within the Local Government Association – please…
DCN Assembly Speech at LGA Conference – 5 July 2016
DCN chairman Cllr Neil Clarke called for strategic dialogue with Government to boost devolution and…
Future business rates system must focus on place not institutions, says DCN chair
In Public Sector Executive, 15 June 2016 Any new system for assessing the share of…
LGA set to enter fray on rates redistribution row
In The MJ, 15 June 2016 District Councils’ Network chairman, Cllr Neil Clarke, this week…
District Councils’ Network responds to CLG Committee report into 100% retention of business rates
In response to the CLG Committee’s report into 100 per cent retention of business rates,…
Neil Clarke: District councils working together as clusters can provide a better way than more unitaries
In Conservative Home: May 30, 2016 Writing in Conservative Home, DCN Chairman Cllr Neil Clarke…
APPG for District Councils
The All Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils The APPG will work to promote the…
DCN responds to the Queen’s Speech
In response to the Queen’s Speech, Cllr Neil Clarke MBE, chairman of the District Councils’…
District Councils’ Network responds to Housing and Planning Act
Housing growth and planning was the core theme for the District Councils’ Networks’ Spring Assembly…
District Councils’ Network responds to Budget 2016
In response to today’s Budget announcement, Cllr Neil Clarke MBE, chairman of the District Councils’…
District Councils’ Network responds to Local Government Finance Settlement 2016/17
In response to yesterday’s Local Government Finance Settlement announcement, Cllr Neil Clarke MBE, chairman of…
Districts welcome new council tax powers
In LGC: 7 February, 2016: Giving all districts the power to add up to the…
The district council contribution to public health: a time of challenge and opportunity
District councils should be seen as key partners by the NHS and other tiers of…
2015 Local Plans Expert Group – response To Call For Evidence From District Councils’ Network (DCN)
District councils have outlined a series of reforms aimed at simplifying the planning system and…
Building Better Collaboration
District councils should take a leading role to make sure devolution improves services and outcomes…
District Councils’ Network submission To The APPG For Reform, Decentralisation And Devolution in the UK
Enabling legislation set out in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill should allow for…
DCN Annual Conference 2020
Every year the DCN runs a number of events to promote the role of district councils, inform our members about the latest developments in government policy
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DCN Autumn Assembly 2019
Key topics of the Assembly will be building stronger economies, housing delivery, town centre regeneration, and delivering skills for growth.
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Tandridge District Council
Our Customer First programme is about putting customers at the heart of everything we do. To achieve this, we are radically changing the way we operate...
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DCN Annual Conference 2019
Every year the DCN runs a number of events to promote the role of district councils, inform our members about the latest developments in government policy
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Staff Development Programme
The Staff Development Programme is a scheme for talented district council officers run by the District Councils’ Network to provide training and support to district council employees
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