Together, we’re reimagining local democracy.
The Community Councillor Collective is a network of councillors committed to putting citizens at the heart of local decision-making and building the power of their communities.
Local Democracy is Changing
Our democracy is no longer fit for purpose. Trust in elected representatives has hit an all-time low, populism is on the rise, and we struggle to find the bold solutions we need to the challenges we face. The majority of people in the UK agree, we need fundamental change.
Yet while attention remains focused on Westminster, something exciting is happening in town halls across the country. Often seen as dusty buildings mired in bureaucracy and top-down decision-making, they are rapidly becoming the UK's most dynamic democratic spaces. Councillors and officers alike are exploring innovative deliberative processes, civic engagement platforms and participatory budgeting. They're moving beyond service delivery to community convening and enabling.
And in doing so, local councils are demonstrating that a new kind of politics is possible.
What is a Community Councillor?
For us, a Community Councillor is someone who views their role not as a representative decision-maker, but as a facilitator and catalyst for collective action.
We come from all political parties and none, working at all levels of local government. Our goal is to foster a more vibrant, inclusive, and participatory local democracy. We aim to unify rather than divide, to facilitate rather than decree, and to empower everyone to have a voice in the decisions that shape our lives.
Community Councillors transform traditional power into community power to unlock our collective potential.
Why do we need Community Councillors?
The system is broken. As councillors, we face increasingly difficult decisions each year, trying to allocate shrinking budgets in communities with growing challenges. The problems we face are too big and too complicated for us to solve alone. People are tired of divisive politics and being excluded from decisions that impact their daily lives. They want a greater voice. Voting once every four years isn't enough anymore.
As councillors we're often blamed for the impossible decisions we have to make. Yet it is the system itself that doesn’t work.
But while it is hard to change a system, it is not impossible. Not if we work together to change the system from the inside out.
The Community Councillor Collective is a growing network of councillors committed to transforming local democracy from within.
The collective unites the emerging movement of community councillors, enabling us to learn from one another, exchange ideas and resources, and craft a fresh narrative about local politics to inspire more people to get involved.
What is the Community Councillor Collective?
Connecting and Collaborating
We're building a cross-party network of local councillors, fostering connections through events and an online platform.
Sharing and Learning
We’re enhancing our effectiveness by exchanging knowledge, skills, and resources.
Researching and Storytelling
We're creating a database of local participation initiatives to inspire and inform.
Championing and Advocating
We’re championing councillors and advocating for the support we need to change the system.
Are you a community councillor?
We become councillors because we care deeply about our local communities. But once elected we often find ourselves frustrated, unable to create the change we want.
Doing things differently, and challenging a deeply ingrained system and way of working, can be lonely and difficult. Yet we can learn from and support each other.
Whatever party you're from, and whatever level of local government you are involved in, if you are interested in reimagining local democracy you're welcome here (but we leave party politics at the door).