By Mel Stevens, CfGS Chief Executive
Part 3 of the Devolution Bill introduces a new duty for local authorities to establish “appropriate arrangements” for neighbourhood governance. On the surface, it’s a modest proposal. But it opens the door to a bigger conversation: what should local democracy look like — and who gets to shape it?
England has a long history of neighbourhood-level governance, especially through parish and town councils.
In many places these bodies work well, offering a route into decision-making that feels close to home. In others, they face challenges — from low turnout to limited engagement. Re:State’s recent Local, Actually report captured this tension clearly: traditional structures are part of the answer, but not the whole story.
The opportunity in this Bill is not just to reinforce what exists — but to expand the frame and make space for innovation and democratic practice that feels meaningful to more people – combining the strengths of established structures with more imaginative and inclusive ways of governing at the neighbourhood level.
In our current discovery work we’re exploring a broad landscape of models that could be adapted to different contexts.
For example:
- Deliberative area committees that blend the legitimacy of elected members with the insight of randomly selected residents to co-create local priorities;
- Thematic neighbourhood panels focused on youth services, green infrastructure, or wellbeing — helping communities shape the services that affect their daily lives;
- Local place boards that bring together anchor institutions, councillors, and community members to guide service delivery and strategic planning;
- Forums that connect to scrutiny, giving communities a stronger voice in accountability.
Democracy and communities
Critically, this isn’t about replacing what works — it’s about growing a more plural and responsive ecosystem of local democracy. Collaborate CIC’s The Bigger You Go, the Less You Know reminds us that trust is built locally, through relationships and relevance. And New Local’s Art of the Possible makes a powerful case for involving people not just as consultees, but as co-creators of their local future.
As neighbourhood governance evolves, it also intersects with wider questions about how power, accountability and collaboration operate across a place. With devolution and reorganisation reshaping local systems, this work isn’t just about neighbourhoods in isolation — it’s about how they connect to the broader ecosystem of place governance.
At CfGS, we see this as part of a wider shift toward relational governance — where institutions are more open, responsive and designed with communities, not just for them.
Councillors and officers are already navigating complex demands with limited resources. We know neighbourhood governance reform can’t just be another burden. But it can be a chance to do things differently — to build capacity, connection and trust into the system itself.
As the Devolution Bill progresses, we urge Government not to be overly prescriptive. What matters most is flexibility — enabling councils to respond to their own geography, politics and civic fabric. A one-size-fits-all model risks missing the point. The strength of neighbourhood governance lies in its diversity — its ability to reflect and respond to the character of different places.
For councils, this can feel like a challenge — but it’s also a genuine opportunity. To take stock. To experiment. To build capacity and confidence over time.
The Bill opens a door. What comes next depends on how we choose to step through it — with purpose, creativity, and an opportunity to create neighbourhood governance that people can see, shape and trust – just imagine what else democracy could be and do together with communities.
What might neighbourhood governance become — and how can we shape it together?
We know many of you are already thinking about what neighbourhood governance could look like in your area — from re-energising existing structures to exploring new, more inclusive models. You might be testing ideas, navigating political realities, or just beginning to ask different questions.
Wherever you are on that journey, we’d love to connect. Share your reflections, challenges, and experiments — not to showcase perfection, but to build a shared understanding of what’s possible. We’re keen to learn alongside peers, surface good practice, and explore real experiences.
Continue the conversation
Get in touch with Mel to add to the conversation at mel.stevens@cfgs.org.uk or info@cfgs.org.uk
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