PREPRINT The implications of the post-Covid -19 and Brexit worlds for England's town councils -views from the town hall, and beyond PREPRINT (original) (raw)

Parish/Town councils are the third-some would say, first-tier of government in England, hierarchically below central government in London, and county/district/borough councils. Their councillors represent the approximately 11,000,000 people who live in these, mainly smaller, towns; one-fifth of the population of England. These places will be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union ("Brexit"). To what extent is not known, but councillors will have roles to play in determining how their towns respond. Their views about councils' possible future roles were gathered via an online survey and interviews, and are presented and discussed. Clerks, academics, and interested individuals with policy and practical and professional experience of the sector, also contributed. Although participants' views differ (e.g., as to whether councils should have more powers), most want to do more, especially in relation to planning, housing and transport. They are, however, uncertain about how to achieve their aims, given the constraints of time and resources on a mainly volunteer body, their partial dependence on higher authorities, and the need for effective monitoring of standards, performance, transparency, and accountability.