Joining the CCIN: Start Where You Are

The CCIN is the “fastest-growing cross-party network in local government”, and its membership accurately reflects the diversity of councils, geographies, and political contexts you are currently navigating.

You do not need to have all the answers to join. You need to share the values.

Associate Membership – Your Groups, Towns & Parishes

Associate Membership is open to Groups in Opposition, Town, Parish, and Community Councils across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and it is the natural starting point for any council or group in transition.

As an Associate Member, you will:

• Access the full CCIN resource library, case studies, Policy Lab outputs, publications, and practitioner guides
• Be invited to cooperative conferences and peer networks across the country
• Connect with a cadre of ambitious political leaders who are actively reshaping local democracy
• Gain a seat in CCIN governance: Associate Members hold five representative positions on the Values & Principles Board
• Join a network that funds innovation Policy Lab projects, offering up to £20,000 for Full Council Members, with a clear pathway for Associate Members to progress towards full status.

Associate Membership is not a waiting room. It is a genuine community of practice with its own voice, its own representation, and its own influence.

The Path to Full Membership

If your council assumes control, or if you are building the case for a cooperative mandate as part of your reorganisation process, Full Council Membership provides you with the complete platform.

Full Members influence the CCIN’s national policy agenda, lead Policy Lab initiatives, and hold the most senior governance roles, including the Chair position currently occupied by Cllr Jim Robbins. The application process is designed to be realistic and practical — recognising that becoming truly cooperative is a journey, and that aspiration and commitment are noble and sufficient initial steps.

The three-stage application process progresses from expressing interest to a supported self-assessment to endorsement by the Executive Oversight Committee. The CCIN team will assist you at each stage.

Explore membership options

Become a Supporter — Start Personally, Lead Collectively

Not every next step needs to start with a formal council resolution. If your authority is still navigating Local Government Reorganisation or you’re building the case for future membership, becoming a Supporter of the CCIN is a meaningful step you can take as an individual. It keeps you connected to a growing movement of councillors and partners dedicated to community power, cooperative leadership, and practical innovation in local government — and it can often be the first step towards wider engagement from your group or council.