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# Local authorities should collaborate with communities rather than just consult them, Lichfield District Council leader says
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/local-authorities-should-collaborate-with-communities-rather-than-just-consult-them-lichfield-district-council-leader-says/
- Published: 2022-07-12T06:09:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-07-11T08:41:30.000Z
- Description: Local authorities need to collaborate with communities rather than merely consult them, the leader of Lichfield District Council has said.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:11, News

Local authorities need to collaborate with communities rather than merely consult them, the leader of Lichfield District Council has said.

Cllr Doug Pullen made his comments [in an article written for the Local Government Chronicle](https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/governance-and-structure/doug-pullen-councils-should-have-the-courage-to-back-community-power-05-07-2022/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk).

The Conservative group leader said the move to viewing residents as consumers had seen councils becoming “increasingly detached from the impact their decisions had”.

> “We’ve got an ever-distant decision-making process, misguided budget setting and a largely disengaged electorate at a local level.  
>  
> “We all know there is something far better – and have seen resident-led organisations running services, involving those affected by decisions, targeting resources far more effectively than the state ever could while addressing the real, rather than perceived, needs of our communities.  
>  
> “Grass-roots organisations are, at best, left alone to progress, but are usually hindered by poor processes, fighting over defined budgetary pots, apathy from elected politicians and, crucially, a lack of formal standing when it comes to engaging with local government.  
>  
> “That’s why we need a [Community Power Act](https://www.right-here.org/asks/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) to reverse this trend and put power back where it belongs.”  
>  
> Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council

Cllr Pullen said trust and a change in how councils work with communities was the key for local government going forward, insisting they should “stop consulting communities and start collaborating with them”.

> “Community power is coming – and I very much hope that local authorities will have the humility, the curiosity and the courage to truly let it flourish.”  
>  
> Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council