The Local Governance Research Unit (LGRU) at De Montfort University's Department of Politics and Public Policy and The MJ have launched a Councillor Commission to explore the roles, powers, responsibilities, tasks, functions and experiences of the councillor.

It will also examine how councillors can effectively govern their local communities and shape the decisions, policies and strategies of public and private organisations that impact on the long-term wellbeing of communities, but whose actions come without the democratic mandate of the councillor.