Local Authority
A Local Authority is an organisation that is officially responsible for all public services and faciltities in a particular area. They are multi purpose bodies responsible for delivering a broad range of services in relation to highways, planning, housing, economic and community development, environment, recreation and amenity services, fire services and maintaining a register of electors. Local Authorities can be Waste Collection Authorities and/or Waste Disposal Authorities.
Types of local government
Depending on where you live, local government consists of at least one or two tiers of authorities[1]. Two tiers, with responsibilities of local Waste services divided between them, within England there are:
- 24 County Councils
- 181 district, borough or city councils
One (untiary) tier providing all services. Within England there are[1]:
- 59 unitary councils
- 33 London boroughs
- 36 metropolitan boroughs
Across England, there are also around 9,000 parish and town councils, 10 National Parks responsible for conservation and promotion of scenic areas, as well as local authorities responsible specifically for policing and fire and rescue services[1].
Since the passing of new legislation in 2009, there is an additional type of regional authority, Combined Authorities, where two or more councils collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries[1] e.g. Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Scotland
Within Scotland there are 32 Unitary authorities.
Wales
Within Wales there are 22 Unitary authorities.
Northern Ireland
Within Northern Ireland there are 11 Unitary authorities although they do not carry out the same functions as the rest of the Councils in the United Kingdom for example they have no responsibility for education, road-building or housing (although they do nominate members to the advisory Northern Ireland Housing Council). Their functions include planning, waste and recycling services, leisure and community services, building control and local economic and cultural development. The collection of rates is handled centrally by the Land and Property Services agency of the Northern Ireland Executive[2]
Funding of local government
Local authorities receive funding from a range of sources, including Government grants, council tax and fees and charges. Together, council tax and business rates make up local authorities’ largest source of income[1].
Local authority governance
In England, more than one million people work in local government across a range of different types of authorities, providing more than 800 different services to local communities[1]. Local Authorites are made up of employed officials usually led by a Chief Executive Officer and councillors who are elected by the public in local elections[1].