Why LARAC Membership Remains One of the Best-Value Investments for Local Authorities

Reflecting on 17 years of fees, value, and holding the line for our members 

Local authorities have lived through more turbulence in the last decade and a half than most sectors would willingly sign up for with shrinking budgets, rising service pressures, reforms, and every flavour of ‘do more with less.’ Against that backdrop, LARAC has worked hard to remain a constant and reliable support to members, including how we handle our annual membership fee. 

With 2026/27 now confirmed at £445, it’s worth showing the bigger picture behind that number. 

Across 17 years, the membership fee has risen by only £65, from £380 in 2009/10 to £445 today. Spread out, that’s an average increase of just £3.82 per year, with no increase at all since 2020/21.  

Meanwhile, member expectations have grown, policy complexity has accelerated, and demand for sector leadership, training, and representation is higher than ever. 

Keeping Costs Down 

If LARAC’s fee had followed inflation since 2009, the 2026/27 membership would now sit at around £615. By holding the fee at £445, authorities are effectively paying £170 less than that inflation-adjusted level, meaning membership is cheaper in real terms than it was 17 years ago. 

We’ve achieved that by keeping operating costs lean, investing wisely in delivery, and working alongside our partners and sponsors whose support helps us keep membership affordable while expanding our offer: 

As we celebrate 40 years of LARAC, our commitment remains unchanged: value for money, practical support for officers, and a membership fee that works hard for members under real financial pressure.