It's no surprise that since the Government published its English Devolution White Paper, much of the debate has focused on local government reorganisation and the abolition of district and county councils. But as local government minister Jim McMahon told Parliament at the time, ‘devolution has to work from the top to the bottom and the right powers have to be in the right places'. But he didn't stop there. ‘At a neighbourhood level, we see town and parish councils playing a critical role in devolution.'

He's completely right, of course. As the tier of government closest to communities, parish and town councils already cover 92% of England and play a unique and indispensable role in the social fabric of our villages, towns and cities. More than simply administrative entities, these grassroots, hyperlocal councils are democratic and accountable bodies embedded in the everyday realities of residents, offering tailored services, local leadership, and a direct line between governance and the governed. In recent years, their responsibilities and contributions have grown considerably, especially as public service delivery continues to evolve at the local level and onward devolution has seen many councils take on services from financially challenged principal local authorities. These include youth services, libraries, parks and green spaces, markets, public toilets, grants to community organisations, and so much more.