Crib sheet 7: Local Government Structure Flashcards
What did tthe 1972 Local Government Act do?
It created two-tier local authorities which still exists in some parts of England.
What does the two tier system consist of?
County (or Shire) councils responsible for:
-Education
-Social Services
-Transport
-Libraries and museums
-Waste disposal
-Strategic, county-wide planning
Smaller district or borough councils are responsible for:
-Housing
-Refuse collection
-Planning
-Collection of council tax and uniform business rates
-Environmental health
Different councillor for each of these councils with their own budgets who run their own affairs.
What are Unitary authorities
A system of metropolitan county councils and smaller districts councils was set up in the main urban areas of england including South Yorkshire. These were abolished in 1986 and replaced with unitary authorities.
They are responsible for all services in urban conurbations. Where they exist alongside two-tier authorities this is a hybrid structure.
In 1990s many cities were encouraged to adopt unitary statues, like York, Bristol, Derby and Nottingham.
What are cities with hybried structure
Cities that have unitary authorities and two-tier authorities like York.
What are Parish Councils
Sometimes called town councils.
They raise money by the parish precept on council taxes.
Responsible for playground equipment, public toilets, park benches, streetlights, footpaths etc.
They have the right to be consulted over major planning applications.
What is the govrrnment structure in London like
Has a directly elected mayor
25 directly elected members of the London Assembly
Together the Mayor and London Assembly form the Greater London Authority, responsible for policing, transport, fire and rescue services and the congestion charge .
Below sit 32 borough councils and City of London Corporation which act as unitary authorities providing services such as education, refuse collection, social services, housing and planning.
What are councillors and officers?
Officers are paid civil service of the local authority and should be politcally neutral.
-Councillor are political figures required to stand for election every four years
Councillor decide on policy and officers implement that policy
-The Leader of the Council is an elected councillor who is the head of the governing party.
-The Chief Executive is the senior officer who leads the entire paid service
-Each department has a lead councilor and a senior officer at its head
-Councillors are unpaid but can claim a Basic Allowance plus a Special Responsibility Allowance if they take on extra duties.
How are decisions taken by local authorities?
-Committee system: this consists of a number of committees and subcommitees of elected councillors covering each main area of policy . Policy proposals are considered by the committee and then if approved passed to a meeting of all the councillors - the Full Councl, for final approval
-Leader and Cabinet system: introduced under Local Government Act 2000 this consists of the Leader of the Council or Directly Elected Mayor who chooses councillors to sit in the Cabinet and act as executive, often taking decisions without consulting the rest of the councillors. Scrutiny Committees can make comments and suggest amendments, but the Full Council only approves key decisions.
What are the pros and cons of the Leader and Cabinet system.
-Pros: Is said to be quicker and more efficient and bypasses the cumbersome committee system
-Cons: Some say it is less democratic and creates two classes of councillor- those in the Cabinet and those who are essentially backbenchers.
What did the Local Government Act 2000 introduce?
Leader and Cabinet system and Directly Elected Mayors.
What are directly elected mayors
The Local Government Act 2000 introduced the idea of directly elected mayors
They are powerful, executive style positions and should not be confused with Lord Mayors who have little real power
In 2012 nine citeis, inc Sheffield rejected the chance to have DEM in a referendum.
What is the Localism Act 2011
-It sets out a series of measures designed to shift power from central government and towards local people. The Act gives new freedoms and powers for local government, communities and individuals. It includes a reform of the planning system to make it more democratic and effective.
-The Act establishes a ‘general power of competence’ for all local authorities, including parish, district, county and unitaty authorities. This means instead of being able to act only where law says they can, local authorities are free to do anything an individual can do- provided they do not break any other laws.
-The idea is to cut red tape and encourage entrepreneurial thinking. It encourages councils to work together to drive down costs and do innovativr things to meet local people’s needs.
What is the Northern Powerhouse?
In 2014, government proposed the Northern Powerhouse to boost economic growth in the North of England championed by Chancellor George Osborne.
-Greater Manchester was the first area to get extra powers over housing, transport, planning, policing, and some health spending.
-In October 2015 the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority beame the second area to sign an agreement with George Osborne.
What is the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority?
Consists of four local authority areas- Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley.
SYMCA get extra powers over transport and strategic planning.
-gets £30m a year over 30 years (900m)
What is the Police?
It is a national service operating under the auspices of the Home Secretary.
-Until 2012 local democratic oversight was provided by Police Authorities, consisting of councillors elected to local authorities covered by the police force plus magistrates and local business leaders.
-In 2012 Police Authorities were replaced by directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) who can appoint and dismiss chief constables, direct local policing priorities through a five year police plan and ensure value for money. Elected at four-year-term.
-PCCs are scrutinised by Police and Crime Panels, consisting of local councillors.
-The Independent Police Complaints Commission handles complaints.
-PCC is funded by a percept on the council tax.
