sinplified local governments

what is the structure of local government in england?

two tier system in some areas:

• county councils

• district councils

unitary authorities

• handle all local services

hybrid areas

• mix of unitary and two tier

what services to county councils provide?

• education

• social services

• transport

• libraries and museums

• waste disposal

• strategic planning

what services do district councils provide?

• housing

• local planning

• rubbish collection

• council tax collection

• environmental health

what is a unitary authority?

a single tier council that combines county and district functions into one

what are parish councils?

• local councils for small areas

• funded by a parish precept

• handle local amenities

• must be consulted on major planning applications

what is the local government structure in london?

greater london authority

• directly elected mayor of london

• 25 member london assembly

32 borough councils and city of london corporation

• provide services like; planning, housing, bins, education

whats the difference between officers and councillors?

officers; paid, politically neutral staff who implement policy

councillors: elected political representatives who set policy

who leads a local authority?

leader of the council: head of the ruling party/ group

chief executive; senior officer leading the councils paid staff

how are local elections organised?

• held every four years

• in some councils, one third of councillors elected each year with one fallow year

who can vote in local elections?

• must be 18+

• on the electoral register

• uk, irish, commonwealth citizens

who can stand as a councillor?

• uk, irish, commonwealth

Must be:

• on the electoral register

• resident/work/ own property in the area for 12 months

what are the two main council decision- making systems?

1. committee system

• policy decided in committees, approved by full council

2. leader and cabinet system

• leader picks a small executive cabinet to make most decisions

pros and cons of the leader and cabinet system?

pro: faster and more efficient

con: seen as less democratic; non-cabinet councillors have less power

what is a directly elected mayor?

• executive mayor voted in by the public

• has real power powers (unlike ceremonial power)

• doncaster voted to keep a DEM

• sheffield rejected it in 2012

what does the localism act 2011 do?

• gives freedom and power to local government

• introduces the general power of competence ( do anything an individual can do unless illegal)

• encourages councils to innovate and collaborate

what is the general power of competence?

councils can act like individuals - do anything not explicitly forbidden by law. encourages innovation and cuts red tape

what is the council constitution?

a document explaining:

• councillor roles and allowances

• meeting access rights

• scrutiny arrangements

• code of conduct

• committee membership

• register of interests

what oversight bodies exist for standards?

monitoring officer: ensures legality and ethics

standards committee: reviews councillor behaviour

local government ombudsman: investigates complaints of maladministration

what are scrutiny committees?

• review and question cabinet or committee decisions

• can suggest amendments

• help ensure accountability

how is sheffield city council structured?

• unitary authority

• 28 wards with 3 councillors each

• 43 seats needed for majority

• currently under no overall control

what is the role of the local government ombudsman?

investigates complaints about council services and maladministration

what powers do councils have over police?

• since 2012, each area has a police and crime commissioner

• sets police priorities, appoints chief constable

• scrutinised by police and crime panels

how is the fire service overseen?

• by combined fire authorities

• councillors from constituent councils sit on it

• funded by a precept on counicl tax

who oversees transport in south yorkshire?

• SYMCA

• in rural areas: county councils

• nationally: highways england manages motorway and major A roads