As some of our readers will know, I’m a Parish councillor in deepest Mid Suffolk, chairing my council as I have for most of the past eight years. Creeting St Peter is a “micro council”, as defined by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), with a precept of just over £6,000 a year, and a professional staff of approximately 0.05 full-time equivalent. We don’t do “big stuff”, like providing services, but what we do is represent our residents and lobby principal authorities on their behalf. I like to think that we’re quite good at it, in our own modest way.

Last week, NALC launched a new Engaging Parliament Toolkit, intended to help the 10,000 or so Town and Parish Councils to more effectively lobby the people who make the really big decisions affecting our communities. And that’s important, especially as those principal authorities get bigger and more distant from us as Local Government Reorganisation. This practical, easy-to-use resource gives you everything you need to:

• Engage confidently with decision-makers
• Champion your community’s priorities
• Influence policy on issues that matter locally

Now you could argue that Liberal Democrat activists would probably have a headstart on knowing how to influence their MPs, but for many of us at the first tier, any help is very much appreciated. If you’re a town or parish councillor, for more information, go to the NALC website and, if you’re not already signed up, why not do so?

In other news, the Ministry for Communities, Housing and Local Government has published the 2026/27 Council Tax figures set by councils across England. The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2026/27 will be £2,392, an increase of £111 or 4.9% from the 2025/26 figure of £2,171. In parished areas, the average parish precept will be £99.79, up 8.2% on the previous year’s figure. That’s a marker of the increasing role placed by the sector in providing local services as principal authorities make cuts in an attempt to balance the books.

As Cllr Iain Hamilton, NALC’s Chair put it;

These latest council tax statistics show that parish and town councils are raising more through precepts than ever before, yet they still face significant financial pressures. We are calling on the government to provide targeted funding and ensure they are fully represented in local government reorganisation. With this support, parish and town councils can continue to innovate, engage with residents, and deliver the vital local services that communities rely on every day.

* Mark Valladares is a member of NALC’s National Assembly, a former Chair of its Smaller Councils Committee and Co-Chair of its Micro Councils Network.