In my first address as District Councils' Network (DCN) chairman at our AGM in Birmingham, I set out my vision in four words: better lives, bigger economies. My job is to ensure we have the tools to deliver on the issues that matter most to our communities.

Districts are integral to the UK's future prosperity. It is through our work that the national economy has grown one local economy at a time by understanding local distinctiveness and working to bring forward opportunities for investment.