Other resources

You can find other useful information about local government on the following websites:

  • www.walescandidateguide.co.uk This is a basic guide for newly elected councillors or people who are thinking of standing for election. It contains lots of accessible information about how local government works and what local councillors do.

  • www.wlga.gov.uk This is the website of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) which represents the interests of local government and promotes local democracy in Wales. It contains lots of topic based information on issues that affect local government. It is worth noting that WCVA works closely with WLGA to represent the interests of the third sector to local government.

  • www.idea.gov.uk This is the website of the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) for local government. IDeA is owned by the Local Government Association, of which WLGA is a constituent part, and their website contains plenty of topic based information and good practice examples.

  • www.urbanforum.org.uk In the publications section of this website you will be able to download a copy of a useful booklet called "How your Council Works - a handy guide for community groups". Some of the information is only relevant for England, but it is still worth having because much of the information is applicable to Wales.

  • www.onevoicewales.org.uk This is the website of One Voice Wales who represent and provide support services to community and town councils in Wales. Here you find more information on what town and community councils do, where they are in Wales and how to form one in your area.

  • www.writetothem.com is an extremely useful site for finding out who represents you at your local council, the National Assembly for Wales, UK Parliament and the European Parliament. All you have to do is type in your postcode and it will give you the contact details of your elected representatives (at all levels except for town and community council level).

  • www.wcva-ids.org.uk/wcva/1050 Here you find contact details of all the County Voluntary Councils in Wales. They are a vital link to local politics in your area.