Structure of local government

Local authorities (LAs) are corporations, created by Parliament as single legal entities. LAs may only do what Parliament said they could do in the statute under which they were established, under statutes adding to their purpose, or using the General Power of Competence, see further Practice Note: General power of competence.

Systems of local authorities

There are two main models of how LAs are organised, one-tier and two-tier systems. There have been several reforms leading to different arrangements in different areas.

Across much of England, there are two-tier systems of LA with responsibility for provision of services split between very broadly as below:

•
a county council responsible for education, highways, social services and waste disposal
•
a district council responsible for more local services such as rubbish collection, housing and planning applications

Its larger towns and cities, however, generally have one tier: a unitary or metropolitan council. A unitary authority will provide all local government services in their area.

Some LAs share services covering a wider area, such as police, fire services or public transport, usually for efficiency reasons or to avoid

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Local Government News

LGSCO proposes expanded powers to enhance public service oversight

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published its Triennial review, outlining four key recommendations to improve public services and enhance its investigative capabilities. The proposals include expanding the LGSCO's remit to investigate education, health and care plan implementation in schools, mandating signposting to the LGSCO by independent adult social care providers, updating its jurisdiction to encompass emerging local government services and establishing a statutory duty to monitor compliance with the forthcoming complaint handling code. These recommendations aim to address accountability gaps and modernise the Ombudsman's service in response to increasing case complexity, particularly in areas such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), adult social care and homelessness.

DHSC opens consultation on tackling modern slavery in NHS procurement

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a consultation on proposed regulations and guidance aimed at combating modern slavery in NHS procurement. The draft National Health Service (Procurement, Slavery and Human Trafficking) Regulations 2024 seek to ensure that NHS supply chains and business activities are free from ethical and labour standards abuses. The consultation invites views from public bodies, suppliers and the public on various aspects, including implementation strategies, impact assessment, risk management in procurement frameworks and support mechanisms for public bodies to fulfil these new duties. This initiative aligns with the government's stance that the NHS has a crucial role in addressing modern slavery through its procurement practices. The consultation closes 13 February 2025.

DLUHC launches consultation on Right to Buy reforms to protect social housing

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has launched an eight week consultation on proposed reforms to the Right to Buy scheme. Key measures under consideration include extending the minimum tenancy period for eligibility, exempting newly built social homes from the scheme and introducing targets for councils to replace sold stock. The government has already reduced maximum Right to Buy discounts to £16,000 - £38,000 and increased the cost floor protection period to 30 years. Councils can now retain all receipts from sales and the scheme will not be extended to housing associations. These reforms aim to create a more sustainable Right to Buy programme while protecting and increasing social housing stock amidst unprecedented housing pressures.

Local Government weekly highlights—21 November 2024

This week's edition of Local Government weekly highlights includes expert analysis of the decisions in Kerr v Poplar HARCA on whether the court had jurisdiction to vary a suspended possession order (SPO) to make an outright order for possession on the grounds of anti-social behaviour, and Smallbrook v BCC where the court examined the tension between proposals seeking to reuse and repurpose buildings and those seeking to demolish and rebuild them. Case reports include the decision in Nottingham CC v Housing 35 Plus Ltd where the court ruled that co-operative society's management structure failed to meet HMO licensing exemption requirements; Cygnet Health Care Limited v CQC on applications to amend judicial review grounds after permission had been granted, in accordance with CPR 54.15, PD 12.1, and PD 12.4; CG Fry & Son Ltd v SSLUHC on an appeal concerning habitats regulations and the discharge of planning conditions and, finally, Wyldecrest Parks Management Ltd v North Northamptonshire on a decision regarding licensing conditions for a residential caravan site. This weekly highlights also includes further updates on Public procurement, Social housing, Children's social care, Social care, Governance and Planning.

View Local Government by content type :

News