Local and devolved government

• Government


  A range of structures that operate within a state
• Types of government


  • Central
  • National
  • Devolved
  • Regional
  • Local
• Local government in the UK


  • Has no constitutional right to exist, can be reformed, removed or reshaped at any time by parliament
  • Councils are only able to carry out the functions allocated to them by central government
• Role of local government


  • Provide services sanctioned by central government at a local level
  • Part of the democratic process whereby citizens can voice their opinion and stand for elected public office
  • Provide a grassroots platform for political parties
  • Make decisions regarding the local provision of services, for example, transport, social services, planning, etc.
• Tiers of government in the UK


  • International bodies (UN, WTO, NATO)
  • Central Government (Parliament)
  • Devolved national bodies (Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland)
  • Regional bodies (Greater London Authority)
  • Unitary, County, Borough, District
  • Town/Parish
• In recent years government has encouraged the development of unitary authorities - a single council for a given area, responsible for all local services
• Types of local government structure


  • Single-tier (unitary)
  • Two-tier (county and district councils)
• Services provided by different types of local councils


  • Unitary authorities: Education, Highways, Transport planning, Passenger transport, Social care, Housing, Libraries, Leisure and recreation, Environmental health, Waste collection, Waste disposal, Planning applications, Strategic planning, Local tax collection
  • County councils: Education, Highways, Transport planning, Passenger transport, Social care, Waste disposal, Strategic planning
  • District councils: Housing, Leisure and recreation, Environmental health, Waste collection, Planning applications, Local tax collection
• How councils operate


  • Full council
  • Committees
  • Cabinet
  • Ceremonial mayors
  • Directly elected mayor