County Councils Network

15/09/2026

The inaugural Inspiring Women in Local Government Awards takes place in December, championing the outstanding women who make a difference across local government.

Hosted by the Local Government Chronicle, the event aims to recognise the exceptional individuals nominated from county authorities - and beyond.

We’re encouraging councils to help shine a spotlight on the brilliant women working across the sector and give them the recognition they deserve.

Find out more about the event: https://inspiringwomen.lgcplus.com/wilg2026/en/page/home

11/09/2026

💬 “We know that this is a time of great uncertainty, and we will be doing all we can to support our members."

Watch our chair-elect Cllr Sean Matthews for Tattershall Castle react to Monday's announcement from government that the reorganisation programme will be reviewed. ⬇️

The County Councils Network had called for a review of the programme we are pleased the government has listened. We are now engaging with ministers for clarity on the review's length, timescales for implementation of reorganisation, and the costs incurred by councils both to date and in the future.

Where reorganisation is desired, this review must ensure that new councils are financially sustainable and can improve local services.

09/09/2026

📻 Listen to our chair-elect Cllr Sean Matthews for Tattershall Castle react to the announcement that the reorganisation programme is being reviewed on LBC News ⬇️

We know this is a time of great uncertainty, and we will be doing all we can to support our members through the coming months.

08/09/2026

📻 Listen to our spokesperson Bill Revans - Leader of Somerset Council explain on BBC Radio 2 the challenges councils face in delivering SEND services, with demand significantly increasing this year. ⬇️

We’re calling on the new administration in government to re-assert its commitment to reforming the system - and implementing proposed changes in full.

07/09/2026

Today the government has announced a review of the local government reorganisation programme in several counties across England.

Our members had significant concerns over many of the reorganisation decisions made by the previous administration in government, and we had called on the new Prime Minister to review the programme.

Read our full on-the-day response from Cllr Sean Matthews for Tattershall Castle here:

Read CCN's on-the-day response to the reorganisation programme being reviewed

04/09/2026

Watch Helen Morgan MP reference our research in Parliament this week, which found that changes to how government funding is distributed to councils cost county and rural local authorities hundreds of millions.

This is because the previous administration in government downscaled 'remoteness' - the additional costs of delivering rural services - from its calculations as part of the Fair Funding Review 2.0.

As we head towards the Budget, we will be highlighting increased costs for county and rural councils and making the case for additional funding for those areas.

27/08/2026

There are now over 23,000 children growing up in temporary accommodation in county and rural areas.

Our research finds that there were over 116,000 households assessed as homeless in county and rural areas over the last year, with rural homelessness is becoming a 'deepening crisis'.

Our housing spokesperson Andrew Husband is calling on government to recognise these county challenges and for an increase in funding to deliver social and affordable housing.

25/08/2026

Read coverage in The i paper of our new research on rural homelessness ⬇️

There are now record numbers of families and children in temporary accommodation in county areas.

Our housing spokesperson Andrew Husband calls on government to recognise this growing crisis:

Rural areas are facing ballooning bills to house families in bed and breakfasts and expensive private accommodation

20/08/2026

We welcome yesterday’s announcement on rough sleeping funding, and our members will now work hard with local partners to turn this resource into action on the ground.

With the numbers of people rough sleeping in county and rural areas at a record level - 38% of England's total number - Cllr Sean Matthews for Tattershall Castle calls for counties to receive a proportionate share of funding and argues that homelessness should not be viewed purely as an urban problem.

18/08/2026

🗣️ “County and rural unitary councils believe the National Planning Policy Framework will weaken theirs, and their local communities’, voices."

Daily Mail covers our response to the government's overhaul of the planning system, as Andrew Husband warns the changes could shift the balance of power towards developers:

Measures to streamline housebuilding in England were published on Monday.