Our councils

CCN councils

CCN's 39 members are the backbone of England. The 21 county councils and 18 unitary councils that the network represent almost half of the country's population and are the largest group of upper-tier local authorities in England.

What makes CCN the natural home for county and unitary authorities and what binds our network together, is not only the services our councils provide, but the uniqueness of the places our councillors represent.

‍Counties are not only steeped in history, but they are distinct and diverse places. Our members cover large geographies, encompassing rural areas, coastal communities, market towns, cities - and everything else in between. Not only are they radically different from urban-based metropolitan councils, but the councils serving these areas all have unique challenges and opportunities.

Our network represents more than a type or function of local government – we represent both county and unitary authorities that share common characteristics, challenges and opportunities across their unique geographies, regardless of local authority structures, size or political composition.

Stretching back to the reorganisation of the late 1990s, that is why we at the CCN have become the home for unitary councils that share the same challenges and opportunities and which are located within historic non-metropolitan county areas. Almost half of our members are already unitary councils, and every non-urban unitary council created over the last three decades has joined the CCN.

We remain open to requests to join the network from other existing non-metropolitan unitary local authorities that share the common characteristics of our existing member councils.

Contact the team to find out more.