Press Release: LOCAL LEADERSHIP MUST BE AT THE HEART OF REWIRING BRITAIN

• 1st Oct 2026
• Governance

CCIN responds to the Prime Minister's Labour Party Conference Speech

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered his first speech to Labour Party Conference, setting out his vision for Britain under his leadership and offering an early indication of what local authorities and communities can expect in the years ahead.

The Cooperative Councils’ Innovation Network (CCIN) welcomes the Prime Minister’s ambition to “rewire Britain” through stronger place‑based leadership, greater community empowerment to let communities shape their own futures and a renewed focus on local decision-making and public service reform.

As a cross‑party network, CCIN recognises that many of the principles underpinning the Prime Minister’s agenda reflect the cooperative values that our member councils have championed for more than a decade. The focus on devolving power, embedding social value, restoring trust in public services and designing services with communities — rather than simply for them — mirrors the approach cooperative councils champion every day.

CCIN’s member councils have long demonstrated that empowering residents, giving them a genuine stake in shaping their future and sharing power can deliver better outcomes for communities. Across the country, our members from different political traditions are showing what can be achieved when councils, residents, businesses and community organisations work together. Our members bring practical experience, proven models, and a strong track record of delivering better outcomes through cooperation, whether tackling inequalities, strengthening local economies, improving public services, or supporting community-led solutions.

The Prime Minister’s experience leading the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, a long‑standing CCIN member, provides a practical example of how cooperation and local leadership can deliver better outcomes for residents, strengthen public services, and support place‑based economic growth.

Cllr Paul Cassidy, Chair of CCIN, said:

“The Prime Minister’s speech recognised something that cooperative councils have understood for many years: the best solutions are often found closest to the communities they serve.

Across the country, CCIN member councils are already demonstrating how cooperation, community power and local leadership can improve lives and strengthen public services. The Prime Minister has seen first-hand in Greater Manchester how local leadership and collaboration can transform places when communities are given the tools and powers to succeed. We welcome the commitment to devolving power and giving communities a greater say over the decisions that affect them.

If Britain is to be genuinely rewired around people and place, local government must be trusted, empowered and properly supported to lead that change.”

Real change will depend not only on national ambition but on empowered local leadership. If communities are to have greater control over the decisions that affect their lives, councils must be trusted with the powers, resources and freedoms necessary to deliver for local people.

As a cross-party network CCIN stands ready to work constructively with Government, our member councils, affiliates, supporters and partners across the political spectrum to help turn that ambition into practical actions. Our network has spent more than a decade demonstrating that when power is shared, communities are stronger and public services are better. We look forward to continuing to champion cooperative approaches that help communities shape a fairer, more resilient and more prosperous future.