Medway Council has become a member of the Local Councils Network (LCN), with its Leader describing the new cross-party organisation as its “natural home”.
LCN was formed in March after the District Councils’ Network rebranded in response to the planned abolition of district councils and a desire to create a new body to support the changing needs of local authorities. Medway is the network’s 170th member.
Cllr Vince Maple, Medway’s Leader, said: “The new focus of LCN makes it feel like a natural home for Medway.
“LCN has picked up the mantle around offering practical support for leaders, councillors and officers at districts and unitaries like ours as they contemplate forming new unitary authorities.
“LCN is clear that sharing best practice across the sector, ultimately benefitting the millions of residents we represent, can help make local government reorganisation a success.
“At Medway, we never become passive members of anything. We want to play a full role in LCN to help us as a council support our community, and also to pass on our learnings from 30 years of running a unitary authority to help other councils going through transition – that’s what collaborative learning is all about.
“I’m excited to be part of the cross-party conversation through LCN. Local government’s voice is strongest when we put the rosettes to one side and speak with one voice. That sends a message to whoever is in government about our challenges and the great stuff that we’re doing for our residents. We have more in common than what divides us.”
Cllr Richard Wright, LCN’s Chair, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Medway into LCN. I know our members will benefit from the insight of Vince and his colleagues while Medway, like other councils, will benefit from the support and shared learning we facilitate.
“The creation of LCN has captured the imagination of many councils – councillors and officers seek a new organisation to stand up for their specific needs and to offer them support as they go through transformation.
“We’ve had many positive conversations with unitary councils who are enthused by our culture of collaboration and positivity as they contemplate change.”
