International

Councils benefit from:

• advocacy and improvement underpinned by the latest international learning: data, innovation and best practice
• a single secretariat supporting councillors on international local government bodies
• coordination so that councils speak with one voice on the international stage
• intelligence and advice on funding sources, programmes, policies and legislation from beyond the UK
• links with local government associations across Europe, the Commonwealth, and globally. 

We work through a range of international local government organisations including:

• The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (Congress)
• The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
• The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)
• United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
• The Committee of the Regions (CoR)
• The OECD Centre for Cities

Priorities addressed include trade, economic growth, local government finance, democracy, governance, digital/AI, heath and care services, migration, equalities, housing, waste and climate change.

The work is overseen by the LGA’s Policy Committee on Public Service Reform and Innovation (PSRI). You can find out more information on LGA’s Policy Committees.

LGA membership of international local government bodies

(as at February 2026)

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe 

Full members local chamber:

• Cllr Angie Boyes, Cheltenham Borough Council
• Cllr Abri Brown, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
• Cllr Linda Gillham, Runnymede Borough Council
• Cllr Joanne Laban, London Borough of Enfield
• Cllr Bryony Rudkin, Ipswich Borough Council
• Cllr Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council

Substitutes local chamber:

• Cllr Alex Burnett, Barnsley Council
• Cllr Johnny Denis, Lewes District Council (and East Sussex County Council)
• Cllr Claire Holland, London Borough of Lambeth
• Cllr Jewel Miah, Charnwood Borough Council
• Cllr Linda Robinson, Wychavon District Council (and Worcestershire County Council)
• Cllr Bella Sankey, Brighton and Hove City Council

Full members regional chamber:

• Cllr Rachel Bailey, Cheshire East Council
• Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council
• Cllr John Cotton, Birmingham City Council
• Cllr Nazia Rehman, Wigan Council
• Cllr Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council

Substitutes regional chamber:

• Cllr Helen Belcher, Wiltshire Council
• Cllr Richard Dodd, Northumberland County Council 

Other UK bodies also appoint to the Congress: the local government associations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (WLGA, COSLA, NILGA), the three devolved parliaments, and the London Assembly.

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions 

Full members:

• Cllr Flo Clucas, Cheltenham Borough Council
• Cllr Nicola Day, Peterborough City Council
• Cllr Joanne Laban, London Borough of Enfield
• Cllr Vince Maple, Medway Council

COSLA, WLGA and NILGA also each nominate one full member.

The Committee of the Regions’ UK Contact Group 

Full member: Cllr Jewel Miah, Charnwood Borough Council

Substitutes: Up to four substitutes are also invited to attend for LGA.

WLGA, COSLA and NILGA, the four devolved bodies (Scottish Parliament, Senedd, London Assembly, and Northern Ireland Assembly) and Gibraltar each also nominate one full member. 

The Commonwealth Local Government Forum 

Senior Vice-Chair of the LGA, Cllr Kevin Bentley

United Cities and Local Governments 

Full member: Chair of the LGA, Cllr Louise Gittins

Substitute: Leader of the LGA Labour Group, Cllr Bev Craig

COSLA and NILGA also each nominate one full member

For more information contact [email protected]