Local government in England facts for kids
Local government in England is how different parts of the country are run. It's a bit like a team effort, with different councils handling various jobs to make sure local areas work well for the people living there. The rules for local government in England are made by the UK Parliament and Government. This is because England does not have its own separate parliament.
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How Local Government is Set Up
England is divided into different areas, each with its own type of council. These councils work together to provide services and make decisions for their local communities.
Regions and Combined Authorities
England is split into nine large areas called regions. Only London has an elected Mayor and Assembly that make big decisions for the whole city. The other regions used to have more power, but now they mostly have groups of local leaders who meet to talk about important issues.
Sometimes, several local councils in an area decide to work together more closely. They form a "combined authority". These groups can make bigger plans for things like transport and the economy across a wider area. For example, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority helps manage things across the Manchester area.
Main Councils: Unitary and Two-Tier
Most of England has two main ways local government is set up:
- Unitary Authorities: In some areas, there's just one main council. This council handles almost all local services, like schools, rubbish collection, and housing. Think of it as a single team doing all the jobs.
- Two-Tier System: In other areas, there are two levels of councils working together:
* A county council covers a larger area and handles bigger services. These include education, social care, and major roads. * Several smaller district councils operate within the county. They look after things like local planning, waste collection, and housing.
London boroughs are like unitary authorities, handling most services within their part of London. The City of London and the Isles of Scilly have very old and unique ways of being governed.
Local Parish Councils
Below the main councils, some areas have even smaller councils called civil parishes or town councils. These are often found in villages and smaller towns, but not usually in big cities. They look after very local things like parks, public clocks, and community gardens. They also give advice on local planning decisions.
A Quick Look at History
The way local government works in England today has changed a lot over time. Many of the current rules started in the 1800s. Over the years, local government areas have become larger, and councils have taken on new responsibilities. How councils get their money has also changed many times.
The People in Charge
Councillors and Mayors
Local councils are made up of elected people called councillors. These councillors make decisions about how local services are run. In some councils, there is also a mayor. This mayor can be either:
- Chosen by the councillors from among themselves. This is often an honorary role, like a ceremonial leader.
- Directly elected by the public in a special vote. These mayors usually have more power to make decisions and lead the council.
Councils used to make decisions mostly through committees. But since 2000, many councils now have a leader and a small group of councillors (a "cabinet") who make most of the decisions. The other councillors then check their work and ask questions.
How Councillors are Elected
The area a council covers is divided into smaller sections called "wards" or "electoral divisions". People living in these areas vote for the candidates they want to represent them on the council. The candidates with the most votes win.
Councillors are usually elected for four years. Sometimes, all councillors are elected at once every four years. In other places, only a third or half of the councillors are elected each year. Local elections are often watched closely to see what people are thinking before national elections.
Council Staff
Councillors can't do everything themselves! So, councils hire many people, called "officers" or "employees", to do the day-to-day work. There is often a "Chief Executive Officer" who is in charge of all the council staff. Many services that used to be run directly by the council are now sometimes run by private companies.
What Councils Do
Local councils provide many important services that affect your daily life. Here are some of the main things they do:
| Type of Council | What they do (examples) |
|---|---|
| County Councils | Education, libraries, social services (like help for children and older people), major roads, waste management (getting rid of rubbish). |
| District Councils | Housing, waste collection (picking up your bins), local planning (deciding what can be built), licensing (for things like shops and taxis), cemeteries. |
| Unitary Authorities and Metropolitan Boroughs | They do most of the things that both county and district councils do, like education, housing, waste collection, and social services. |
| Greater London Authority and London Boroughs | The Greater London Authority handles big things like transport across London, strategic planning, police, and fire services. London Boroughs do local things like housing, education, and rubbish collection. |
Councils used to only be able to do things that the law specifically allowed them to do. But now, they have a "general power of competence". This means they can do almost anything that a normal person can do, as long as it's legal and benefits their local area. For example, they can plant more trees or tidy up buildings to improve public wellbeing.
How Councils Get Their Money
Local councils need money to pay for all the services they provide. They get money from a few main places:
- Central Government Grants: Money given to them by the national government.
- Council Tax: A tax that people pay based on the value of their homes. This is set by the local council.
- Business Rates: A tax paid by businesses in the area.
- Fees and Charges: Money collected for certain services, like parking fines.
Some of this money is "ring-fenced", meaning it can only be spent on specific things. For example, money for schools must be used for schools. Other money, like the "Revenue Support Grant", can be spent by the council as they choose.
When councils want to raise Council Tax, they sometimes need to ask the public for permission through a local vote if the increase is above a certain limit set by the government.
Who Collects the Money?
The main councils that handle district-level services are called "billing authorities". They collect the Council Tax and Business Rates.
Other councils, like county councils or parish councils, don't collect the money directly. Instead, they tell the billing authority how much money they need. This amount is called a "precept". The billing authority then collects the total amount and passes the precept money to the other councils.
Funding Challenges
Councils often worry about having enough money to provide all the services people need. Sometimes, if the government doesn't increase funding, councils might have to cut back on things like collecting waste, fixing potholes, maintaining parks, or running children's centres and libraries. This can mean that the help children and families get might depend on where they live.
Council Area Sizes and Names
The size of council areas can be very different. Some districts, like Birmingham, have over a million people, while others are much smaller. The names of council areas can also vary. They might be named after:
- The main town in the area (e.g., Canterbury).
- Historical names (e.g., Broxtowe).
- Rivers or geographical features (e.g., Eden).
- A mix of names (e.g., Newark and Sherwood).
The name of a council (like "District Council", "Borough Council", or "City Council") doesn't change what it does or how much power it has. It often comes from old traditions or special status.
In Greater London, the 32 areas are called London boroughs. Each has a London Borough Council. The City of London has its own unique government called the City of London Corporation.
Special Ways of Working
Joint Arrangements
Sometimes, councils work together to provide services that cover a larger area. They might form "joint-boards" or "joint-committees". These groups are made up of councillors from the different councils involved. They are often used for services like:
For example, the West Mercia Police force covers several different counties to provide policing for a wider region. These joint arrangements help councils work more efficiently on services that are better managed across a bigger area.
The City of London Corporation
The City of London is a very small, historic part of London. It has a unique government called the City of London Corporation. This corporation has been around for a very long time and has its own police force. It works differently from other local councils in England.
What Might Change in the Future
Governments often look at ways to improve local government. In recent years, there has been a focus on giving more power to local councils and communities. This means councils might have more freedom to make decisions without too much control from the central government. There are also ideas about making it easier to set up small parish or community councils in more places, even in London. The aim is often to make local government more responsive to the needs of local people.
Images for kids
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Jurisdiction of the West Mercia Police shown within England
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