The National Association of Local Councils is a powerful body, speaking for some 10,000 Parish and Town Councils in England and Community Councils in Wales. NALC is committed to making this primary level of local government more effective, more democratic and better able to take a leadership role in local communities.

NALC has established 5 key commitments to local communities:

• Working with Government to develop real community involvement in local government
• Responding to community needs
• Providing a strong voice for local communities
• Best Value in service delivery
• Working in partnership with the voluntary and business sectors

The National Association of Local Councils is the only body in the country specialising full-time in the work of local councils. The Association's advice and guidance to member councils is based on more than 50 years experience acting solely in the interests of its member councils.

NALC takes an enthusiastic role in protecting and advancing the rights and interests of member councils in Parliament, in the local and national press, and in liaison with other bodies such as the LGA and IDeA.

There has been a tendency for Parish, Town and Community Councils to be misrepresented as anachronistic and parochial. With the advent of the Government's 'Modernising Local Government' agenda local councils have the opportunity to re-assert the important role they play in community life in England and Wales and demonstrate the suitability of Local Councils as an ideal model for Local Government.

NALC is committed to developing this role for the new millennium and promoting local councils at the forefront of community leadership.

© Suffolk Association of Local Councils