The New Local Government Network (NLGN) is a United Kingdom think tank

Think tank

A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...

 which was founded in 1996. Its director is Simon Parker, previously of Demos

Demos (UK think tank)

- History :Demos was founded in 1993 by former Marxism Today editor Martin Jacques, and Geoff Mulgan, who became its first director. It was formed in response to what Mulgan, Jacques and others saw as a crisis in politics in Britain, with voter engagement in decline and political institutions...

, the Institute for Government

Institute for Government

The Institute for Government is an United Kingdom independent charity that aims to improve government effectiveness created in 2008. It was initially funded with about £15 million by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, at the instigation of Lord David Sainsbury.....

 and the Confederation of British Industry

Confederation of British Industry

The Confederation of British Industry is a British not for profit organisation incorporated by Royal charter which promotes the interests of its members, some 200,000 British businesses, a figure which includes some 80% of FTSE 100 companies and around 50% of FTSE 350 companies.-Role:The CBI works...

.

NLGN describes itself as a non-profit making, independent think tank that seeks to transform public services, revitalise local political leadership, and empower local communities. Members of the board include Sir Steve Bullock

Steve Bullock

Sir Steve Bullock is the first directly elected mayor of the London Borough of Lewisham .Born in Redcar, North Yorkshire, Bullock began his career as a van driver for Saltburn and Marske-by-the-Sea Urban District Council in 1972...

, Tony Travers

Tony Travers

Tony Travers is a British academic and journalist, specialising in issues affecting local government. He is the director of the Greater London Group at the London School of Economics and Political Science...

, Ben Lucas

Ben Lucas

Ben Lucas is the name of:* Ben Lucas , Australian rugby union footballer* Ben Lucas , co-owner of the lobbying firm LLM Communications...

, Stewart Jackson

Stewart Jackson

Stewart James Jackson is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he is the Member of Parliament for Peterborough.-Early life:...

 MP and Gerry Stoker

Gerry Stoker

Gerry Stoker is a British political scientist noted for his works on local government and his textbooks.He is also a lecturer at the University of Southampton....

. Former directors include Chris Leslie, former Labour MP for Shipley, between 2005 and his re-election to Parliament for Nottingham East in the General Election of 2010.

It publishes papers on a variety of policy areas, most recently publishing the results of an extended research project on the current UK government's drive for efficiency in local government.

The NLGN is currently overseeing a 'Commission on Next Localism' that will assemble the thinkers and representatives at the forefront of the localism agenda. The Commission will look to formulate a coherent vision for a localist governing and public service settlement for the UK. Key issues being examined include local government finance, the future of local democracy and the reinvention of local economic development.

While NLGN does not have ties to any political party, the think tank has welcomed a number of the Localism policies announced in the first months of Prime Minister David Cameron's government, but called for greater financial freedom for local government bodies.