Association of County Councils (Great Britain)

The County Councils Association (CCA) was formed in 1890 following the Local Government Act in 1888 which established county councils and raised certain boroughs to county status. The proposal to establish a representative association for county councils (similar to the existing Association of Municipal Corporations) was made in 1889 at a meeting of the Society of Clerks of the Peace. At a subsequent meeting, seven counties resolved to form an association and the Chairmen of Lancashire, Middlesex, and Leicestershire County Councils formally established the CCA.

Local authorities have never dealt individually with central government in which they have a joint interest and have formed associations to represent them collectively. Consequently, the objectives of all local authority associations are similar in that they seek to represent and protect the interests of their members. The activities of the CCA fell into three distinct categories: those in relation to Government Departments; those in relation to Parliament; and those in relation to its members. Its influence in formulating government policy cannot be underestimated, especially post 1945. The vast increase of legislation introduced by central government led to increasing co-operation between the Association and government departments. The CCA was consulted on all changes in policy and was included in discussions of government bills. It was brought into consultation in drafting of circulars and received copies of all those with a bearing on local government before their publication. It was also invited to send representatives to serve on numerous official committees. The parliamentary activities of the Association were also important, although less so after 1945 when more emphasis was placed on pre-legislative discussions. The services the CCA offered to its members included a regular journal containing articles of topical interests, details of the Association's policies, activities and decisions; and other publications including reports and memoranda. In the post 1945 period, the local authority associations joined together in carrying out a number of joint enterprises. For example, they instituted a Local Government Information Office in 1963 and established the Local Government Computer Committee in 1965 out of which developed the Local Authorities Management Services and Computer Committee.

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