Topic: Local democracy

The material in this section contains information, guidance and commentary about democracy, participation and engagement of the public in local democratic systems. Many authorities are seeking to deepen their approach to new ways of involving local people in decision-making – in part by exploring how these methods can “dock in” to more traditional governance structures.

The reorganisation and devolution agenda also creates an opportunity for local democracy to be strengthened through the creation and development of “hyperlocal” governance systems – both through a bolstering of the power of parish and community councils and by the creation of new locality or area-based systems for new, larger authorities.