Our national inquiry has explored the opportunities and challenges for rural councillors in bringing decision-making closer to the communities they serve.

We want to help rural communities have  greater influence over local decisions, by supporting local councillors to become better democratic champions acting on behalf of their communities.

What have we done?

We have gathered evidence from national and regional partners, local government officers and councillors, parish and town councillors, local people and local partnerships and community groups.  We have used their experiences to build an authorative evidence base and emerging ideas.

Our report and recommendations

Our inquiry's final report 'Participation Inquiry: Strengthening the role of local councillors' highlights that nearly half of rural residents feel unable to influence local decisions directly affecting their lives.

We hope the report's recommendations will help make citizens more fully engaged in local decision-making, enhance the democratic role for rural communities and create a stronger, more effective voice for local councillors.

Download the report
Read the full press release