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Types of council </h1> <div class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak direction-ltr disable-youtube" data-module="govspeak"> <div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice"> <p>This guide relates to councils in England. Find information about councils in <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government">Scotland,</a> <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/http://gov.wales/topics/localgovernment/unitary-authorities/?lang=en">Wales</a> and <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/local-councils">Northern Ireland.</a></p> </div> <p>Many parts of England have 2 tiers of local government:</p> <ul> <li>county councils</li> <li>district, borough or city councils</li> </ul> <p>In some parts of the country, there’s just 1 (unitary) tier of local government providing all the local services. The 3 main types are:</p> <ul> <li>unitary authorities in shire areas</li> <li>London boroughs</li> <li>metropolitan boroughs</li> </ul> <h2 id="county-councils">County councils</h2> <p>These are responsible for services across the whole of a county, like:</p> <ul> <li>education</li> <li>transport</li> <li>planning</li> <li>fire and public safety</li> <li>social care</li> <li>libraries</li> <li>waste management</li> <li>trading standards</li> </ul> <h2 id="district-borough-and-city-councils">District, borough and city councils</h2> <p>These cover a smaller area than county councils. They’re usually responsible for services like:</p> <ul> <li>rubbish collection</li> <li>recycling</li> <li>Council Tax collections</li> <li>housing</li> <li>planning applications</li> </ul> <h2 id="unitary-authorities-and-london-and-metropolitan-boroughs">Unitary authorities and London and metropolitan boroughs</h2> <p>In some parts of the country, 1 tier of local government provides all the local services listed above.</p> <p>In London and metropolitan areas some services, like fire, police and public transport, are provided through ‘joint authorities’ (in London by the Greater London Authority).</p> <h2 id="parish-community-and-town-councils">Parish, community and town councils</h2> <p>These operate at a level below district and borough councils and in some cases, unitary authorities.</p> <p>They’re elected and can help on a number of local issues, like providing:</p> <ul> <li>allotments</li> <li>public clocks</li> <li>bus shelters</li> <li>community centres</li> <li>play areas and 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src="/web/20220926130944js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/application-b0f2e7fd4cc288d247efdb6240b8c7a99b31abfd158f135bb07c26c01a505463.js"></script> <script src="/web/20220926130944js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/application-3cafadb7a7e2b573dec0a5d24fe813cbcedd7f3ca66281600a699c7a944f8dfd.js"></script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/http://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works" }, "name": "Understand how your council works", "datePublished": "2012-01-19T09:27:08.000+00:00", "dateModified": "2017-10-24T15:39:31.000+00:00", "text": "How local councils work in England - types of council, decision-making, council finances, local councillors and making complaints", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-73b5a4056ffe9988d02c728b56fe9fe7f90bb822322a5f6183ccbb92a99b019a.png" } }, "image": [ "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-1x1-bf9e64d759af6dfd93bede8168f3087a329f405b382aff36747db0db4b7b23e9.png", "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-4x3-13093f053c15f613acd827aff27cac83d3fab452947cbcae4c7b706dadf2f7f2.png", "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-16x9-4233cd42671827e266e284c4d5ae68fb600bd9f9e35dda663ccabbc2b6ab7ec3.png" ], "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Government Digital Service", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service" }, "about": [ { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/regional-and-local-government/local-councils" } ], "headLine": "Understand how your council works", "description": "How local councils work in England - types of council, decision-making, council finances, local councillors and making complaints", "articleBody": "\n\u003cdiv role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide relates to councils in England. Find information about councils in \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government\"\u003eScotland,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://gov.wales/topics/localgovernment/unitary-authorities/?lang=en\"\u003eWales\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/local-councils\"\u003eNorthern Ireland.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany parts of England have 2 tiers of local government:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ecounty councils\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003edistrict, borough or city councils\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn some parts of the country, there’s just 1 (unitary) tier of local government providing all the local services. The 3 main types are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eunitary authorities in shire areas\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLondon boroughs\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003emetropolitan boroughs\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"county-councils\"\u003eCounty councils\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are responsible for services across the whole of a county, like:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eeducation\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003etransport\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eplanning\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003efire and public safety\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003esocial care\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003elibraries\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ewaste management\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003etrading standards\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"district-borough-and-city-councils\"\u003eDistrict, borough and city councils\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese cover a smaller area than county councils. They’re usually responsible for services like:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003erubbish collection\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003erecycling\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCouncil Tax collections\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ehousing\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eplanning applications\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"unitary-authorities-and-london-and-metropolitan-boroughs\"\u003eUnitary authorities and London and metropolitan boroughs\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn some parts of the country, 1 tier of local government provides all the local services listed above.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn London and metropolitan areas some services, like fire, police and public transport, are provided through ‘joint authorities’ (in London by the Greater London Authority).\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"parish-community-and-town-councils\"\u003eParish, community and town councils\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese operate at a level below district and borough councils and in some cases, unitary authorities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey’re elected and can help on a number of local issues, like providing:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eallotments\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003epublic clocks\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ebus shelters\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ecommunity centres\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eplay areas and play equipment\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003egrants to help local organisations\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003econsultation on neighbourhood planning\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey also have the power to issue fixed penalty fines for things like:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003elitter\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003egraffiti\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003efly posting\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003edog offences\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n" } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "name": "Home", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "name": "Housing and local services", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "name": "Local councils and services", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services/local-councils" } } ] } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/http://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "headline": "Understand how your council works", "description": "How local councils work in England - types of council, decision-making, council finances, local councillors and making complaints", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-73b5a4056ffe9988d02c728b56fe9fe7f90bb822322a5f6183ccbb92a99b019a.png" } }, "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Types of council", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works", "text": "\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>This guide relates to councils in England. Find information about councils in <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government\">Scotland,</a> <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://gov.wales/topics/localgovernment/unitary-authorities/?lang=en\">Wales</a> and <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/local-councils\">Northern Ireland.</a></p>\n</div>\n\n<p>Many parts of England have 2 tiers of local government:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>county councils</li>\n <li>district, borough or city councils</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>In some parts of the country, there’s just 1 (unitary) tier of local government providing all the local services. The 3 main types are:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>unitary authorities in shire areas</li>\n <li>London boroughs</li>\n <li>metropolitan boroughs</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"county-councils\">County councils</h2>\n<p>These are responsible for services across the whole of a county, like:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>education</li>\n <li>transport</li>\n <li>planning</li>\n <li>fire and public safety</li>\n <li>social care</li>\n <li>libraries</li>\n <li>waste management</li>\n <li>trading standards</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"district-borough-and-city-councils\">District, borough and city councils</h2>\n<p>These cover a smaller area than county councils. They’re usually responsible for services like:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>rubbish collection</li>\n <li>recycling</li>\n <li>Council Tax collections</li>\n <li>housing</li>\n <li>planning applications</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"unitary-authorities-and-london-and-metropolitan-boroughs\">Unitary authorities and London and metropolitan boroughs</h2>\n\n<p>In some parts of the country, 1 tier of local government provides all the local services listed above.</p>\n\n<p>In London and metropolitan areas some services, like fire, police and public transport, are provided through ‘joint authorities’ (in London by the Greater London Authority).</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"parish-community-and-town-councils\">Parish, community and town councils</h2>\n\n<p>These operate at a level below district and borough councils and in some cases, unitary authorities.</p>\n\n<p>They’re elected and can help on a number of local issues, like providing:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>allotments</li>\n <li>public clocks</li>\n <li>bus shelters</li>\n <li>community centres</li>\n <li>play areas and play equipment</li>\n <li>grants to help local organisations</li>\n <li>consultation on neighbourhood planning</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>They also have the power to issue fixed penalty fines for things like:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>litter</li>\n <li>graffiti</li>\n <li>fly posting</li>\n <li>dog offences</li>\n</ul>\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Decision making", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/decision-making", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/decision-making", "text": "<p>The full council (a meeting of all council members) is responsible for all decisions. But in practice, most of the work is given to smaller groups of councillors or council officers (paid staff).</p>\n\n<p>Every council must publish:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>details of when key decisions will be taken</li>\n <li>papers of meetings – at least 5 working days beforehand</li>\n <li>minutes of meetings – showing the decisions that were made</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You can view council meeting agendas, minutes and reports on <a href=\"/find-your-local-council\">your council’s website</a>.</p>\n\n<p>You can also attend most council meetings, although usually you won’t be able to speak at them.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"mayors\">Mayors</h2>\n<p>Many councils have a civic mayor or chairman of the council. They carry out ceremonial duties and chair meetings, but can’t make decisions about council business.</p>\n\n<p>Some councils have an elected mayor. They’re responsible for the day-to-day running of local services.</p>\n\n<p>Councils can have both elected and civic mayors.</p>\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Spending and accounts", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/spending-and-accounts", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/spending-and-accounts", "text": "<p>Many <a href=\"/find-your-local-council\">local councils</a> provide information on their websites to show how they spend their budget.</p>\n\n<p>You can view details of:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>payments for goods and services over £500</li>\n <li>contracts and tenders over £500</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"looking-at-annual-accounts\">Looking at annual accounts</h2>\n<p>Every year councils must open their detailed financial accounts to the public for 30 working days.</p>\n\n<p>This allows you to check any spending under £500 without having to <a href=\"/make-a-freedom-of-information-request\">make a freedom of information request</a>.</p>\n\n<p>Your council must publish on its website and in the local press details of when you can check its accounts.</p>\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Local councillors and elections", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/local-councillors-and-elections", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/local-councillors-and-elections", "text": "<p>Local councillors are elected for 4-year terms by the local community to represent its views.</p>\n\n<p>You can <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.writetothem.com/\">contact your local councillor online</a> or by going to an advice surgery.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"when-local-elections-are-held\">When local elections are held</h2>\n\n<p>Elections to councils are normally held on the first Thursday in May.</p>\n\n<p>Some councils elect all of their councillors at the same time. Other councils elect half or a third of their councillors at each election. Read about the <a href=\"/government/publications/election-timetable-in-england\">election timetable in England</a>.</p>\n\n<p>You can find out more about local council elections from the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.lgbce.org.uk/records-and-resources/local-authorities-in-england\">Local Government Boundary Commission for England.</a></p>\n\n<h2 id=\"declaring-interests\">Declaring interests</h2>\n\n<p>All local councillors have to declare any interests, gifts or hospitality they get that could influence decisions they make.</p>\n\n<p>Your local council must publish details of these. You can usually access them on your council’s website or at the town hall.</p>\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Make a complaint", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/make-a-complaint", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220926130944/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/make-a-complaint", "text": "<p>If you feel that a council service hasn’t been properly delivered, you can make an official complaint.</p>\n\n<ol class=\"steps\">\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"/complain-about-your-council\">Complain to the council service provider</a>.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p>If you’re still not happy, complain to your council’s complaints officer.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p>If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you may be able to get the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.lgo.org.uk/\">Local Government Ombudsman</a> to look into it.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n<p>The Ombudsman considers complaints if you’ve suffered because of:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>the way a council service has been given</li>\n <li>how a decision has been made</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>The Ombudsman usually only considers your complaint once it’s been through your local council’s complaints procedure.</p>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<p><strong>Local Government Ombudsman</strong> <br>\nTelephone: 0300 061 0614<br>\n<a href=\"/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n" } } ] } </script> </body> </html>

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