- Due to equal opportunity policies, the representation of women in local authorities has shown significant improvement, particularly since the mid-1980s. In 2004, women represented almost 29 percent of the local councillors in England and Wales and comprised 63 percent of the local government workforce (17).

- Community Land Trusts are independent non-profit trusts which own or control land and facilities in perpetuity for the benefit of the community (24).

- Rural Community Councils – also called Community Action or Voluntary Action – are countywide organizations that support sustainable rural community development and improve the quality of life for rural communities. They are partly funded through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (24).