LOCAL GOVT STRUCTURE

What are the 3 different types of local authority structures in England and Wales?

Two-tier , Unitary , Hybrid

What type of authority do they have in Wales and what did they replace?

They have 22 unitary authorities

replaced counties and districts in the 90s

What is the two-tier system?

Consists of two types of councils: upper tier( country councils) and lower tier ( district councils)

When was the two tier system introduced?

Introduced in the 1972 Local Government Act by Heaths Tory government

What began to replace two tier authorities as the norm in the mid 90s?

Unitary authorities

Examples of two tier authorities

Surrey

Kent

Essex

Lancashire

Hampshire

How do two-tier Councils work?

• The two-tier system is not a hierarchy they are politically independent of each other

• Separately elected, decide their own policies and spending

• Some districts sub-divided into parish / town councils

What can lower tier councils gain with a Royal charter?

Borough / city status

Role of county council’s (SHET)

• Social Services (children and adults)

• Highways (road-building, maintenance, on-street parking)

• Education (schools and further education)

• Refuse disposal (landfill sites)

• Transport (buses, trams)

Role of district councils ( CPLWHC )

• Collection of council tax and non-domestic rates

• Local plans and planning applications

• Licensing

• Housing

• Environmental health (sanitation, drainage, pollution, food hygiene)

• Refuse and recycling collection (waste management)

• Car parks

Pros of a two-tier system

Advantages

• District councils are more localised and therefore closer to ppl

• services can be tailored to meet local needs

• smaller regions can get greater representation through a district council

• can afford to provide specialist services (e.g. for autistic children) and county-wide services

Cons of a two-tier system CRICC

• Can be costly due to overlap and duplication

• multiple councils can create inefficient spread of resources

• small district councils can’t afford to recruit and retain high calibre staff

• complexity of system results in public apathy / low turnouts and lack of accountability of local government

• counties lead to remote decision-making

What is a unitary authority?

System where one set of councillors takes responsibility for all services

When were unitary authorities introduced?

1992 as part of the Local Government Act

What was the aim of introducing unitary authorities

to streamline the system, reduce duplication and slash bureaucracy

Examples of unitary Authorities

• Cornwall

• Buckinghamshire

• Dorset

• Wiltshire

• Leicester

What are the pros of unitary authorities ( TEE)

• Transparent because all services provided by one body

• Efficient because services are not duplicated

• Easier for the public to understand because just one body looking after all services

Cons of unitary authorities

• Some are too small and so don’t have the resources to provide the specialist services, e.g. services for autistic children or a broad library book stock

• Some are too geographically large (eg Cornwall) and so too remote from the people

• Cost of moving to unitary system can be high and process can take a long time

What is a Hybrid structure?

A hybrid system is where both unitary and two tier models exist within different areas of a single county

v confusing for public

What are combined authorities?

Two or more local authorities working together – like a ‘super council’

How do combined authorities work?

Sit above local council and work together in transport, planning, economic development and controlling local police force

Agree a devolution deal w central govt

Examples of Combined Authorities

• Greater Manchester Combined Authority and ex-directly elected mayor Andy Burnham

• West Midlands

• Tees Valley

What is the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill’

‘devolution revolution’

Through this the Labour govt hope to scrap two tier authorities in favour of unitary system

Will increase mayors and their power to change local areas

to increase efficiency and reduce cost

What is a Parish Council?

called town councils in towns

lowest tier of local gov

Smaller subdivisions which deal with minor local issues such as park benches and street lights

Often have Mayors (selected by the other council members)