How laws are made in local government

Local and devolved government

Devolved government

Since 1997 many areas of government have been devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which have their own parliaments/ assemblies.

In England some areas of government are devolved to

1. County Councils (80% of services, children's services, adult social care)

2. District or Borough Councils (housing, planning, waste collection, leisure services)

3. Parish and town councils (consultees on planning, bus shelters, play areas, traffic calming)

4. Unitary authorities and Metropolitan districts that combine the top two tiers.

5. Combined authorities (Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, North East and West Yorkshire). These receive additional powers and funding relating to transport and economic policy. They are headed by a directly elected mayor.

In Wales there are 22 unitary authorities, in Scotland, 32 and Northern Ireland, 11.

London is governed by the Greater London Assembly headed by a directly elected mayor.

The GLA has a budget of £17 billion.  Much of its work is undertaken by:

• Transport for London
• Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime
• London Fire and Emergency
• Planning Authority

All powers at whatever tier are defined by Parliament. This is unlike the US where powers at each level are defined in the Constitution. The UK has no written constitution.

Parliamentary control is also exercised through control of local government spending. A large part of a local authority's revenue is provided in the form of central government grants.

How a local authority council operates

Councillors are elected for terms of four years. They decide on policy direction. Officers implement policy and deliver services.

All councillors are accountable for their actions. They comply with a code of conduct that requires them to declare any interests that may conflict with their council duties.

Discussion point. Which services should be run by central government and which by local government?