County Spotlight: Every Day Services

This County Spotlight report highlights the essential but often overlooked local services delivered by county and unitary authorities, affecting the daily lives of 26 million residents.

While high‑pressure statutory areas such as adult social care, children’s services and SEND dominate public debate, this report shines a light on some of the other services many of which are fundamental to daily routines in 24 case studies.

Our report showcases innovative practice across four themes: improving recycling and waste management; maintaining transport links and supporting public transport; enhancing parks, streetlighting and environmental services; and supporting children, schools and families.

Case studies demonstrate councils rolling out food‑waste reforms, modernising bus networks, improving winter gritting, expanding cycle‑route maintenance, installing smart infrastructure and delivering new school capacity and support for struggling families.  

However, we warn that shrinking budgets, inflation, and rising demand in care services are squeezing the resources available for these everyday services. Care already accounts for 65% of CCN members’ budgets, up from 57% a decade ago and therefore national reform of high‑demand services will be essential to free up future resources to protect and enhance everyday services.