Councils work with local people and partners, such as businesses and other organisations, to agree and deliver on local priorities. They provide a wide range of services either directly, in partnership with others or by commissioning them from a third party.
Since the Local Government Act 2000, councils have been responsible for the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their areas. The Localism Act 2011, along with more recent changes to the way that public health, welfare and the police are organised, have given councils and communities more influence over the way their local area is managed.
Councils provide more than 800 services to local communities. Most are mandatory, which means that by law the council must ensure they are delivered (although in most cases the exact nature of that delivery is for the council to determine). Some mandatory functions are tightly controlled by central government, resulting in a similar level of service across the country.
Other services are discretionary, so the council has discretion over the type and level of service it provides. They range from large economic regeneration projects right down to the removal of wasp nests. Councils are allowed to charge for discretionary services, provided it is not prohibited by other legislation and the council does not make a profit.
How is local government organised?
Successive reorganisations of local government have created a complex and often baffling array of arrangements which vary from area to area. Much of England has two tiers of local government – county councils and district councils – with responsibility for services split between the two. Other areas have a single unitary authority responsible for all local services. Recently, the emphasis on greater devolution of powers and funding has led to the creation of combined authorities.
Devolution
Devolution is the transfer of power and funding from national to local government. This process is important because it means decisions are made closer to the people, communities and businesses they affect. This helps councils develop more effective public services and provides residents with better value for money. It also helps to build stronger partnerships with local organisations such as businesses, universities and the NHS.
Since 2014, when the first ‘devolution deal’ was signed, similar deals have been struck around the country, transferring new powers over skills, employment, health and housing to local areas.
The LGA has been involved throughout this process – advocating on behalf of member authorities, working with national government to develop policy, and providing direct support to areas looking to develop and secure further devolution. We have built strong relationships with the elected ‘metro mayors’ and continue to push for devolution outside the framework of a mayoral combined authority.