Stephanos Ioannou: Councils have the financial incentive to rubber stamp bad development proposals

Jeopardising local beauty and conservation for the sake of housebuilding is a real problem for councillors. We have to defend our communities.

Kevin Davis: Each London borough should have its own directly elected mayor

This change would mean streamlined decision making. It would also allow greater devolution in areas such as policing and NHS primary care.

What Americans can teach us about local democracy

It should be easier to call local referendums in the UK. Politics is too important to be left to the politicians.

Andrew Wood: The brave citizens who defeated electoral fraud in Tower Hamlets are faced with a huge legal bill

If the Cabinet Office won’t help defend democracy, why should ordinary citizens do it? The wrong signal is being sent out.

Mark Pengelly: Councillors are our local champions – select yours wisely

They can serve as living proof that politicians are public-spirited individuals who wish to drive positive change for their communities.

Andrew Snowden: What I have learnt from my first year as a councillor

Don’t try to please everyone. Focus on results not endless meetings. It doesn’t matter what it says in the minutes – nobody reads them.

Jessica Studdert: Our national politics is broken. Renewal after Brexit needs to be built from the ground up.

“Taking back control” must also allow pioneering solutions to be tried out in local communities. Democracy is a process, not an event.

Joel Charles: The hard left must not be allowed to win the ground war

A clear campaign narrative that balances local and national priorities is crucial. Engage with community groups. Select candidates early. Use social media to complement, not replace, campaigning.

Ian McCord: Bay of Pigs, Challenger Space Shuttle, Northants County Council – groupthink destroyed them all

Too often local government lacks proper scrutiny. There is a closed-mindedness that ignores warnings and fails to consider long-term consequences.

Alex Walker: Why we need more young councillors

Digital is changing the way we live our lives. Councils can’t keep up unless the younger generation are part of the decision making process.

Ryan Jacobsz: To win the next election, the Conservatives must make better use of their activists

CCHQ needs to make our troops recognise that local elections are vital staging posts for Westminster campaigns, and need to be fought just as hard.

Jonathan Werran: We should allow hypothecated Council Tax rises

The cap for triggering referendums must now yield to popular consent to pay more in local charges to improve local services.

Christine Hobson: How on earth can Conservatives in Guisborough select candidates for elections in Middlesbrough?

We can make progress in these local elections next year – but not if we’re frustrated by stupid new rules.

Charley Jarrett: Why all council wards should be multi-member – and how to end one-party councils

A proportional distribution of seats within multi-member wards would achieve greater fairness and more competition.

Multi-member council wards should be abolished

Smaller electoral areas with just one councillor each would make for less confusion, more accountability – and fewer one party states.