Local gov structure Flashcards
Local gov spends more money than any branch of gov
2 distinct groups run the local gov:
- Councillors = elected members
- Officers = appointed full-time officers
- Apart from benefits/pensions & NHS
Structure - UNITARY
Single tier, all-purpose authorities found in 6 metro areas, parts of shire and all of Wales
- They provide all the services
Structure - TWO-TIER
Found in rural counties of England & London
1st tier = county council. Provides major area-wide services
2nd tier = several district or borough councils providing more localised services
Issues:
- duplication of services
- lack of public identity
- district councils means closer to the people
Structure - HYBRID
Mixture of two tier & unitary found in parts of shire England only
Issues with local gov structure
- Complicated
- Bureaucratic & expensive
- Difficult to understand for voters
- Duplication/overlapping of services = wasteful
- Some too large & remote for voters
- Some councils are too small to be efficient
County council responsibilities
- Education
- Libraries
- Strategic planning
- Adult & Children’s services
- Highways & Transportation
- Arts & Museums
- Trading Standards
- Waste Disposal
District/Borough council responsibilities
- Planning applications
- Electoral registration
- Street cleaning
- Car parks
- Environmental health
- Rubbish collection
- Housing
- Council tax
Parish or town councils
- Provides localised services
- Responsible for very localised community services
- Footpath, bus shelters, play areas & village greens
Unitary Authorities - services
- Housing
- Trading Standards
- Arts/recreation/leisure
- Highways
- Environmental health/licensing
- Education
- Traffic
- Libraries
- Personal social services
- Refuse collection & disposal
- Planning
Emergency Services
Police = local gov used to oversee police authorities, now elected police & crime commissioners do that
Fire & Rescue = two tier areas, county council fire authorities
Unitary & Hybrid areas = combined fire authorities
London fire & emergency planning authority = 17 members nominated by assembly & major
Issues = Coalitions big society idea emphasised localism
Localism Act 2011
- Introduced general power of competence for councils (increased innovation, drive down costs)
- Local authorities granted general power of competence (anything not illegal)
- Local referendums & right to information
- House waiting lists
- Neighbourhood planning
- Community right to bid to run public/private services under threat
