Established in 1997, the County Councils Network is a cross-party special interest group of the Local Government Association, representing England’s county local authorities. In total, the 36 county and unitary authorities that make up the CCN are England’s largest grouping of councils, with their 2,600 councillors representing some 26 million people, and covering 86% of the country’s landmass. Collectively, they are responsible for 38% of England’s GVA, almost half the country’s entire spend on children’s and adult social care, and maintain 70% of local roads.
CCN is one of the most influential organisation in local government, both nationally and within Parliament, with its reports and advocacy influencing debates on the future of local services, with its work securing concessions from national governments. Its small team is based in Westminster.