Local Governemnt Structure Flashcards
What did the Local Government Act 1972 (enacted 74) do?
Created two tier local authorities structure, still exists in some parts of England today
What are County (or shire) Councils responsible for? (7)
Education Social Services Transport Waste Disposal Libraries/Musuems Waste Disposal Strategic council wide planning (mainly waste disposal)
What are inside county councils?
Smaller District or borough councils
What are District or Borough councils responsible for? (5)
Housing Refuse Collection Planning Collection of council tax Environmental health
How do councillors get elected?
Residents in those specific areas will vote for them, they have their own budgets and run their own affairs
What are metropolitan county councils?
They are councils set up in main urban conurbations of England, including SY
When were Metropolitan county councils and smaller district councils abolished?
1986
What were Metropolitan county councils and smaller district councils replaced with?
Unitary authorities which care responsible for all services in the area
So Sheff, Barns, Donny, and Roth are all unitary authorities, no such thing as SY Metropolitan County Council anymore
In 1990s many other cities encouraged to adopt unitary status and did, which cities did?
Nottingham, Derby, York, Bristol
What is it know as when unitary authorities exist alongside two-tier authorities (for ex York unitary, working alongside North Yorkshire county council)
Hybrid Structure
What are Parish or Town Councils?
They are councils responsible for everything in community footpaths, streetlights, roads, playground, public toilets etc
Have right to be consulted over major planning applications
Why is London Gov structure different?
Have directly elected mayor (Sadiq Khan)
25 directly elected members of London Assembly
Together Mayor and London Assembly fork Greater London Authority responsible for policing, transport, fire and rescue and the congestion charge
Below it sit 32 borough councils which act as unitary authorities
What are officers?
Politically neutral and paid civil service if the local authority
What are councillors
Politcial figures required to stand for election every 4 years
What do councillors and officers do
Councillors decide policy
Officers implemented it
Who is leader of council
Elected councillors who is head of the governing party
Who is Chief Executive?
Senior officer who leads entire “paid service”
Do councillors get a wage?
Unpaid but can claim Basic Allowance plus a Special Responsiblity Allowance if they take in extra duties
Decisions taken by local authorities are taken in two ways
What is Old Style Comitee system?
Consists of no of comitties and sub committies of elected councillors covering each main area of policy. Policy proposals are considered by the comitee and then if approved passed to meeting of all councillors - full council for final approval.
What is New Comitee System?
Introduced under Local Gov Act 2000, Leader of Council or Directly Elected Mayor who chooses councillors to sit in cabinet and act as executive, often taking decisions without consulting majority of councillors. Scrutiny Comitee can suggest amendments but full council can only approve
What are pros and cons of New Style Comitee system?
Pros - Quicker and more efficient as it bypasses cumbersome Comitee system
Cons - Less democratic, creates two classes of councillors (one that sit in Cabint and one that are essentially backbenchers with little power)
What did Local Governemnt Act 2000 introduce the idea of
Directly Elected Mayors (DEM)
What are DEMs?
Powerful, Executive style positions
In 2012 what happened in DEM referendum?
Nine cities including Sheff rejected chance to have one
What is Localism Act 2011 and what is it’s purpose
Designed to shift power away form central gov and towards locals. Act gives new freedom and powers for local gov, committee and individuals. More democratic and effective
Cut red tape and encourage more entrepreneurial thinking. Encourages councils to work together to drive down costs and innovate things to meet local peoples needs
What did Localism Act 2011 establish?
General power of competence for all local authorities, including Parish, District, county and unitary authorities
Means instead of being able to act were the law says they can local authorities free to do anything individual can do provided they do not break other laws
What is Northern Powerhouse
Chancellor George Osborn
Boost economic growth in North
Who was first to get extra powers in Northern Powehouse?
Greater Manchester extra powers on housing, transport, policing, health spending, planning
When did Sheff City Reigon combined Authority be second to sign agreement with Osborn
October 2015
Consists of nine Local Authority areas Bassetlaw Barns Sheff Don Roth Bolsover NE Derbyshire Derbyshire Dales Chesterfield
What did Sheff City Reigon get?
Extra powers over transport and strategic planning
30m extra a year for 30 years 900m
Sheff Reigon was supposed to have elections for mayor in?
May 2017
Why was timetable for mayor elections derailed
December 2016, Derbyshire County Council won high court battle, court ruled residents in Chesterfield had not been consulted properly over Sheffield City Reigon Plan
What is rival devolution plan to Northern Powerhouse known as?
One Yorkshire
Barnsley and Doncaster votes for them in dec 2017
