Established in 1947, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is a membership organization and the only national body representing the interests of local councils. NALC works in partnership with county associations to support, promote and improve local councils. Local councils, also known as community, neighborhood, parish, and town councils, are the first tier of local government and serve electorates.

They are independently elected and raise their own precept, a form of council tax. With over 10,000 local councils in England, covering more than 30% of the country, there are 100,000 councillors who serve in these councils. County associations, on the other hand, are representative bodies for local councils in their respective areas.

They work closely with NALC to provide support and guidance to local councils. NALC strives to advance its mission of enhancing the role, relevance, and recognition of local councils. They actively engage in projects such as the Civility and Respect Project, Climate Change initiatives, Cost-of-Living campaigns, and the Local Council Award Scheme.

Additionally, NALC promotes political engagement, publishes resources, and organizes events. For those interested in joining or seeking further information, NALC's website offers a wealth of resources, including job vacancies and contact information