The future of local democracy – devolution and the need to empower town and parish councils
Think tank: City-REDI
Author(s): Dr Amy Burnett; Dr Jason Leman; Dr Daniel Ozarow
December 11, 2025
This report from UK think tank City-REDI discusses the need to empower town and parish councils.
Dr Amy Burnett (LPIP Place Fellow), Dr Jason Leman (Citizen Network) and Dr Daniel Ozarow (Middlesex University) examine how town and parish councils could play a central role in making devolution work for communities.
This discussion paper was developed following the National Association of Local Councils’ Power Shift Conference and responds to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
In particular, they reflect on the implications of a neighbourhood governance pathway on the configuration of democracy under the emerging devolution landscape on town and parish councils.
