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Local Government in UK | For CSS, PMS, UPSC and Other Competitive Exams

 Local Government Structure 

Local government in England operates under either a one tier system – unitary authorities, or a two-tier system – county and district councils. There are five types of local authority in England: county councils, district councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan districts and London boroughs.

County councils 

County councils cover the whole of the county and provide the majority of public services in their particular area. County councils are responsible for: education, highways, transport planning, passenger transport, social care, libraries, waste disposal and strategic planning.

London boroughs 

Each London borough is a unitary authority. However, the Greater London Authority (GLA) provides London-wide government and shares responsibility for certain services. London boroughs are responsible for: education, highways, transport planning, social care, housing, libraries, leisure and recreation, environmental health, waste collection, waste disposal, planning applications, strategic planning, local taxation collection. The GLA is responsible for highways, transport planning, passenger transport and strategic planning.

District councils 

Each county is divided into several districts. District councils, which may also be called borough councils or city councils if the district has borough or city status, cover a much smaller area and provide more local services.
District Councils are responsible for housing, leisure and recreation, environmental health, waste collection, planning applications and local taxation collections.

Unitary authorities 

Many large towns and cities and some small counties are unitary authorities; i.e., they have only one tier of local government. Unitary authorities can be city councils, borough councils, county councils, or district councils. Unitary authorities are responsible for: education, highways, transport planning, passenger transport, social care, housing, libraries, leisure and recreation, environmental health, waste collection, waste disposal, planning applications, strategic planning and local taxation collection.

Metropolitan districts 

Metropolitan districts are unitary authorities; they can be called metropolitan district councils, metropolitan borough councils or metropolitan city councils. Metropolitan districts are responsible for: education, highways, transport planning, passenger transport, social care, housing, libraries, leisure and recreation, environmental health, waste collection, waste disposal, planning applications, strategic planning and local taxation collection.

Town and parish councils 

Some parts of England have a third tier of local government. Town and parish councils are responsible for smaller local services such as parks, community centers, allotments and war memorials. In both Wales and Scotland there is a single tier system of local government providing all local government services. In Northern Ireland there are elected local borough, city and district councils which provide services such as waste disposal, street cleaning and recreation; however, the majority of services are the responsibility of other organizations. 

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