CCN Launches New Business Plan To Support Councils In County Areas

The County Council’s Network (CNN) has published its new business plan and vision for the organisation, outlining its support to member councils and reinforcing its role as a cross-party national representative body and the voice for England’s counties.

The CCN Business Plan and Work Programme for 2026/27 is launched following local elections in six-member council areas, with all councils changing political control, or going into no overall control ahead of new administrations being formed.

Building on a refreshed corporate strategy and campaigning platform, the CCN’s 2026/27 Business Plan outlines the network’s priorities to April 2027, responding to major reforms facing county and unitary councils as well the network’s growing and evolving membership.

Representing areas that are home to 27 million residents, 12 million businesses, and generating £760bn for England’s economy the network brings these together into a single, powerful voice — championing counties within a policy environment often focused on urban and city-based priorities.

As part of its new business plan, the CCN is launching its Stronger Counties, Stronger Communities campaign. This seeks to act as a counterbalance to urban-focused national policymaking and to highlight the unique challenges faced by counties. It aims to ensure that reforms are fair to county and unitary councils – and recognise their complexity and role they play in the country’s prosperity.

Alongside continued advocacy on the biggest challenges across finance, adult social care, special educational needs, and children’s services the CCN’ work will reflect its growing unitary members: standing up for them and publishing analysis on a wider range of other service areas, from homelessness to leisure centres.

Simon Edwards, Chief Executive of the County Councils Network said:“We would like to congratulate all newly-elected and returning councillors following last week’s county elections. New administrations will enter office at a time when there are significant reforms and changes happening in local government.

“Our priority in the coming weeks is to support councillors as they navigate what can be a challenging first few weeks in office. It is a great privilege to serve England’s counties, and the CCN will ensure members have the support they need to deliver for their residents.

“Our new business plan reinforces a clear message: we are the cross-party voice of England’s counties and non-metropolitan unitary authorities. We will be doubling down on our commitment to support and represent our members on the national stage, while broadening our advocacy across the full range of services they provide.”