Districts of Wales facts for kids

In 1974, Wales changed how its local government worked. It was divided into thirty-seven areas called districts. These districts were the second level of local government. They were smaller parts of the eight larger counties that were created at the same time. This system of two levels of local government ended in 1996. It was replaced by the system used today, which has single-level areas called principal areas.

What Were Welsh Districts?

From 1974 to 1996, districts were important parts of how Wales was governed locally. Think of them as smaller regions within the bigger counties. They helped manage local services for people living there.

How Local Government Worked

The idea behind districts was to have two layers of government. The larger counties handled bigger services. The smaller districts managed more local things. This system was set up by a law passed in 1972.

District Councils and Mayors

Each district had its own elected council. This was called a district council. People voted for members to represent them on this council.

Sometimes, a district could ask for a special document called a charter. If they got it, the district would become a borough. Its council would then be called a borough council. A borough council was led by a special person called a mayor.

Also, a district could sometimes be given city status. This was a special honor granted through official documents called Letters Patent. This meant the district was recognized as a city.

The End of Districts

The system of districts in Wales lasted for about 22 years. In 1996, it was changed. The two-tier system was replaced with a single-tier system. Now, Wales has unitary principal areas. These areas handle all local government services themselves.