THE STRUCTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Local Government Act of 1972 created a structure of local authorities for England and Wales which came into operation in 1974 and lasted until 31 March 1986 when the Local Government Act 1985 abolished the Greater London Council and the Metropolitan County Councils. The 1985 Act did not affect the Shire Counties and non-Metropolitan District Councils. Chart 1 indicates the different types of authorities and their inter-relationships. This is only a guide, since it is possible in some circumstances for an authority to arrange for the discharge of certain functions by another authority: for example some District Councils carry out Highways and Traffic work for County Councils.

For five years from 1 April 1986, seven Residual Bodies will be responsible for winding up the affairs of the former GLC and Metropolitan County Councils.

HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS

You may already have used your vote in local elections so you will know that at regular intervals you are called on to elect County Councillors and District Councillors. These elected members constitute the full Council but they also sit on a wide range of committees and sub-committees which are responsible for policy in particular areas such as education, housing, and finance. Council and committees are serviced by the full-time professional officers whose job it is to implement the council's policy. These professional officers are departmental heads but, in some areas, they may combine into a management team under a Chief Executive to plan a corporate strategy, and to advise on priorities for the authority. However, this corporate planning approach is not by any means general, as some authorities have reverted to more traditional methods of management. Chief Executives have in the past tended to be lawyers but increasingly accountants and planners have moved into these positions. Small professional departments are often combined into large directorates so that 'technical services' may well cover engineering, surveying and architecture while the leisure and cultural services department will include libraries, museums, parks and recreation.

Words to remember:

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 1015