Special Interest Groups

The Local Government Association (LGA) Governance Framework allows member authorities with common characteristics to form groupings of authorities to express a sectional interest.

If 10 or more Member Authorities with common features, interests or concerns request by formal notice to the Chief Executive, the LGA - acting through the LGA Board - may establish a Special Interest Group (SIG). Membership shall be open to all Member Authorities with those common features. Political proportionality does not apply.

In any case of doubt as to whether a Member Authority is eligible for membership of a SIG, the LGA Board shall determine the matter. 

SIGs are able to speak for their interests as part of the LGA provided that their policies or statements do not conflict with or undermine LGA policy as a whole or damage the interests of other member authorities.

Detailed information on the process and procedure for setting up and running a SIG is set out in the Statement on Special Interest Groups.

Each SIG shall report annually on its activities to the relevant policy committee:

  • Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (Culture, Tourism & Sport Committee)
  • Association of North East Councils Special Interest Group (Strategic Policy & Oversight Committee)
  • Britain’s Leading Edge (Inclusive Growth Committee)
  • Coastal Issues (Neighbourhoods Committee) 
  • Co-operative Councils Innovation Network (Public Service Reform & Innovation Committee)
  • Councils with ALMOs Group (Inclusive Growth Committee)
  • County Councils Network (Strategic Policy & Oversight Committee)
  • Local Councils Network (Strategic Policy & Oversight Committee)
  • F40 Group of Education Authorities (Children, Young People & Families Committee)
  • Funding Mechanism for Internal Drainage Boards (Neighbourhoods Committee)
  • Key Cities (Strategic Policy & Oversight Committee)
  • Local Authority Pension Funds (Local Government Resources Committee)
  • National Association of British Market Authorities (Culture, Tourism & Sport Committee)
  • National Association of Police, Fire and Crime Panels (Fire & Rescue Services Committee)
  • New Nuclear Local Authorities (Neighbourhoods Committee)
  • NuLeaf - Nuclear Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Management (Neighbourhoods Committee) 
  • Public Transport Consortium (Inclusive Growth Committee)
  • Rural Services Network (Inclusive Growth Committee)
  • Special Interest Group of Metropolitan Authorities (Public Service Reform & Innovation Committee)
  • Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (Inclusive Growth Committee) 
  • World Heritage UK (Culture, Tourism & Sport Committee)  

The LGA Board will review the work of each SIG every five years.

Download an application to form an LGA SIG

Application Form to Create an LGA Special Interest Group (opens in new window)

Special Interest Groups which operate under the umbrella of the LGA: