Andrew Burrell and Francis Hoar set out the key considerations for determining the composition of local government committees in an article for Local Government Lawyer. Decisions are made by those who show up. In few places does that phrase apply more than in town halls across the country. Which houses are built or which nightclubs are licensed depend on the whims of the dozen-odd councillors appointed to that committee who turn up that evening.
Given the current political climate, May 2026 will likely see a huge redrawing of the political map, with local elections across much of urban England, including all 32 London boroughs, plus the yet-to-be-created unitary authorities in the south and east.
With new councillors, come new committees and committee chairs.
For council officers, this brings a logistical headache.
Ahead of the 2026 annual meetings, they must dust off their calculators to work out which parties get which seats on which committees.
Read the article in full: Who can show up