The coalition’s decentralisation agenda will require better relations between national and local political systems.
Liam Scott-Smith, Total Politics

The commission will give councils the thinking space to reimagine public services, create prosperous communities and establish thriving local democracies.
Nigel Keohane, Guardian

In these difficult times, councils have two basic choices – retrench or renew. The NLGN’s Commission on Next Localism will help public servants and councillors develop the next generation of local authorities.
Simon Parker, Public Finance

As the abolition of the Audit Commission continues, independence, affordability and localism should be the three main objectives of reform.
Olivier Roth, Public Service

As NLGN launches its Commission on Next Localism, our Commissioners send an open letter to the Local Government Chronicle announcing the details of our work.
The Commission on Next Localism, Local Government Chronicle

If we don’t know what challenges local government is going to be facing in five years’ time, how can we know that councils shaped today will be able to meet those challenges?
Simon Parker, Guardian

Tax increment financing, a municipal bond market or sheer local ingenuity, our new research project looks at alternative funding models for local councils to invest in vital infrastructure.
Tom Symons, Guardian

Ultimately, the fate of localism will not be determined by this one Bill, but by how the government continues to pursue its localist ambitions.
Nigel Keohane, Head of Research
Public Finance