Community council leaders have announced they will be starting a ‘big, radical conversation’ on the role of parish councils in the post-Brexit local government landscape.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is set to rethink the role of England’s 10,000 community councils at their annual conference this Autumn.

The parish council body said they would use the issues of Brexit, devolution, and the Government’s austerity agenda as an opportunity for a ‘stock take.’

‘The time is right for us to revisit what grassroots, community councils are for and start a big, radical conversation about our future and potential,’ said Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC.

‘It is NALC’s contention that community councils can do more, and do more consistently.

‘And it is vital that they do so to help the country emerge from the Brexit changes and build a new local democracy putting communities in control.’

Cllr Baxter said the conclusions of this ‘stock take’ would inform the NALC’s strategic plan for the future.