COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18 THE SYSTEM IN UK UK SUMMARY The of and (known as ‘the UK’) is a union of three countries: , , , and the province of Northern Ireland. There is no written constitution but there are local government acts for each. There are also acts pertaining to the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which have single-tier principal local government. England has no devolved government and there are two-tier authorities, made up of and (or ), and single-tier councils known as unitary authorities. The lower tiers of local government in England are known as civic parishes; in Scotland and Wales there are councils which are overseen by local government but are not a tier of local government; while in Northern Ireland the system changed in 2015, reducing the existing 26 councils to 11 unitary councils. The ministries with responsibility for local government are: the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in England; the Local Government and Communities Directorate in the ; the Department of Local Government and Local Government Business in the ; and the Department of the Environment within the Northern Ireland Assembly. At the latest local elections in 2017 28.4% of councillors were women. In 2016/17 local government expenditure was 22.7% of total government expenditure. Over half of local government revenue comes via transfers from central government and a further quarter comes from a property- based local council . Responsibility for various functions is split in the two-tier system between and district, while unitary authorities have sole responsibility for implementing all local government functions. Parishes and community councils KEY FACTS may manage community facilities such as halls, war memorials, cemeteries, leisure facilities and playgrounds. POPULATION (2016 estimate): 65,648,100 AREA (UN 2006): 1. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 2. LEGAL BASIS FOR 242,900 sq km The United LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL: and Northern Ireland (known as ’the 2.1 Constitutional provisions UK’) is a union of three countries: The UK does not have a written England, Scotland, Wales, and the constitution, and therefore no CURRENCY: (GB£) province of Northern Ireland.50.1a It constitutional provision for local has a central bicameral parliament government.50.2a HEAD OF STATE: based in the capital London and HM Queen Elizabeth II comprises the House of Commons 2.2 Main legislative texts HEAD OF GOVERNMENT: and the . The former, Prime Minister Theresa May known also as the lower house, has 650 2.2.1 England FORM OF GOVERNMENT: nn Local Government Acts 1972, 1992, members elected using the first-past- constitutional monarchy the-post system and each representing 1999, 2000, 2003, 2010 nn Authority Acts 1999, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM: an individual constituency for a fixed bicameral term of five years. The members of nn Regional Assemblies (Preparations) the House of Lords, or upper house, Act 2003 STATE STRUCTURE: unitary are appointed. There is no fixed nn Local Government and Public number of members for the House of Involvement in Health Act 2007 LANGUAGES: Lords, which currently has 753 active English and Welsh (official); Scottish nn Local Democracy, Economic Gaelic, Cornish, Irish, Scots and Ulster Scots members, the majority of whom are Development & Construction Act 2009 (recognised) life peers appointed by the monarch nn on the advice of the prime minister. NATIONAL ELECTIONS: nn last: June 2017, turnout: 68.7%; next: 2022 The House of Lords includes 26 senior Local Government 2012 bishops of the Church of England and nn Care Act 2014 WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT (2017): 92 members elected by the Lords to nn Infrastructure Act 2015 MPs 32.0%, Lords 25.7% represent hereditary peers. Following nn and Local Government LOCAL ELECTIONS: the 2017 national election, 32.0% of Devolution Act 201650.2b England: last and next: various, turnout: na; MPs and 25.7% of members of the Wales: last: May 2017, turnout: na, next: May 2018; last: May 2017, turnout: 46.9%, house of lords were women.50.1b The Scotland: 2.2.2 Wales next: May 2022; head of state is HM Queen Elizabeth II, last: 2014, turnout: 51.3%, nn Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 Northern Ireland: who appoints the head of government, next: May 2019 n the prime minister, who is usually n Government of Wales Acts 1998, 2006 nn WOMEN COUNCILLORS: (2017) the leader of the majority party in the Localism Act 2011 28.4% House of Commons, and has the power nn The Local Government (Wales) to appoint a cabinet from members Measure 2011 LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE as a percentage of total government of either house. There are devolved nn Local Government (Democracy) expenditure 2016/17: governments in Scotland, Wales and (Wales) Act 201350.2c 22.7% Northern Ireland but not England. nn

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2.2.3 Scotland government in the form of unitary In England, the relevant minister has nn Local Government (Scotland) Acts authorities, and powers of intervention under the Local 1973, 1994, 2003 metropolitan district councils; or two-tier Government Act 1999 ‘where there are nn local government with county councils serious failures in the delivery of certain as the upper tier and district or local services’. In extreme cases the nn Scottish Local Government (Elections) councils as the lower tier. In England, minister may direct a local authority to Act 2002 Wales and Scotland there are also take action, including the transfer of nn Local Governance (Scotland) Act 200450.2c smaller units of local representation, responsibilities to another authority or known as parishes in England and third party. A similar range of powers is 2.2.4 Northern Ireland community councils in Wales and also available via their nation-specific nn Local Government (Northern Ireland) Scotland. However, these are not uniform Acts to the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Act 1972 and do not cover the whole population. Irish ministers responsible for local nn Northern Ireland Acts 2000 and 2006 government. nn Local Government (Northern Ireland) 3.2 Ministerial oversight Order 2005 The government departments with 3.3 Council types nn Local Government Finance Act primary policy responsibility for In England, areas outside London either (Northern Ireland) 2011 local government are: the Ministry have a single-tier , or nn Local Government Act (Northern for Housing, Communities and a two-tier system comprising a larger Ireland) 201450.2d Local Government50.3k (MHCLG) for county authority and smaller district England; the Local Government and or borough councils. London has 32 50.3l borough councils and the of London 2.3 Proposed legislative changes Communities Directorate in the Corporation, as well as a further strategic No legislative changes are proposed. Scottish Government; the Department for Local Government and Local authority, the . Government Business50.4m within the In Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, 2.4 National urban policy Welsh Government; and the Department there are single-tier unitary authorities. The UK does not have an explicit national of the Environment50.3n within the urban policy, but since 2011 it has been Northern Ireland Assembly. The ministers 3.3.1 Devolved national government: actively engaged in decentralising urban with local government portfolios are The devolved administrations of policy through its City Deals for English responsible for local government Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland cities and for some cities in the devolved legislation and the monitoring of policy can be considered the uppermost administrations. implementation. Within this framework, level of regional self-governance, even local authorities are independently though they are not referred to as 3. STRUCTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT elected, autonomous bodies largely local governments. The first ministers 3.1 Local government within the state independent of central government. of Scotland and Wales are nominated Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Central government does not have the by their parliament and assembly each have a unitary, single-tier system power to intervene in their day-to-day respectively and appoint their own of local government. England has a affairs except where specific provision cabinets. mixed system of either single-tier local has been made in an Act (see below).

Table 50.1a Distribution of councils and population

Parliament/ County Unitary Total local Parish/ Total Population Population % rural Region assembly councils Districts authorities authorities community councillors (2011 Census) 2016 est. 2011 (members) councils (all levels)

North East 0 1 5 1 12 na na na na 18.4

North West 0 4 33 6 41 na na na na 10.6

Yorkshire and Humber 0 3 16 5 22 na na na na 17.5

East 0 5 36 4 35 na na na na 26.7

West Midlands 0 4 19 4 33 na na na na 15.1

East 0 5 41 6 52 na na na na 28.9

London 0 32 32 na 1,851 na na 0.2

South East 0 6 51 11 74 na na na na 10.4

South West 0 5 28 10 40 na na na na 31.6

England 0 33 201 87 351 ~9,000 18,100 53,012,456 na 17.7

Northern Ireland (108) 1 – – 11 11 – 462 1,810,863 na ~34.0

Scotland (129) 1 – – 32 32 ~1,200 1,227 5,295,403 na 17.7

Wales (60) 1 – – 22 22 735 1,264 3,063,456 na 32.8

TOTAL 3 33 201 145 416 ∼10,930 21,053 63,181,775 65,648,100 20.4

a) excluding City of London Corporation b) excluding c) not including assembly/parliament members. Sources: 2011 Census50.3a compiled by CLGF from communication with the LGA and NILGA, the Governments of Scotland & Wales & references 50.3d-j

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In the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Not all bids were successful but nine councils, the freedom to tailor schemes first minister and deputy first minister new county-wide unitary authorities to the particular circumstances of their and ten further ministers are nominated were created in 2009. There are area. Community councils receive local by the political parties of the Northern additionally 33 London boroughs, authority funding for administrative costs, Ireland Assembly in accordance with including the City of London, and these the level of which is at the discretion their relative numerical representation. are not subordinate to the Greater of the local authority. Community The posts of departmental ministers are London Authority. councils can also obtain grants from allocated to parties based on the d’Hondt other sources for specific initiatives. Local system, by reference to the number of authorities and other bodies consult with 3.3.5 Parishes and community councils: seats each party has in the assembly. community councils on issues affecting are the lowest tier of local government England does not have an exclusive the community. These issues depend to a in England, Wales and Scotland; legislature and is governed directly by the large extent on what is important to each however there are no equivalent UK parliament in London. community. However, local authorities bodies in Northern Ireland. Within the are required to consult community local government system, there are councils on planning applications as well 3.3.2 Regional governance: In England over 10,000 civic parishes in England as new premises licence applications there are nine combined authorities, of (these should be distinguished from or applications to substantially change which six have directly elected mayors, ecclesiastical parishes). Civic parishes the use of premises. Many also choose plus the Greater London Authority. Those cover only approximately one-third of to involve community councils in the combined authorities (CAs) with directly the population of England and there are community planning process. elected mayors are: and currently no parishes in London. The Local CA, Greater Government and Public Involvement in CA, City Region CA, Health Act 2007, however, does allow for 4. ELECTIONS CA, CA, and the West of the establishment of parish councils in 4.1 Recent local elections50.4a England CA; and those without directly London. As a sphere of local government 4.1.1 England: Local elections usually take elected mayors are the North East they are elected bodies with limited place within a four-year cycle. There are CA, West CA and discretionary powers and rights. No part various models which councils use within City Region CA which is due to hold a of England is obliged to have a parish the four-year cycle. Some elect by thirds, mayoral election in 2018. The Greater council. The Local Government Act 1972 which means a third of the councillors London Authority is a regional strategic requires a to take place in are elected in three out of the four years, body headed by the directly elected all parishes. A parish meeting is a distinct and no election occurs in the fourth year. , with an elected legal entity from a parish council. It Some councils elect by halves where half assembly, and is responsible for matters must hold two meetings per year, one of of councillors are elected every two years. such as transport, culture, planning and which must take place between 1 March Other local authorities, such as the London development. and 1 June. A parish with a population boroughs, elect all of their councillors every of over 300 may choose to constitute a four years. The turnout for all local elections 3.3.3 The county and district/borough: separate parish council, but it is under held in England in 2017 was less than 29%. council system is two-tiered and exists no obligation to do so. Where a parish in some parts of England. Counties are council exists, the parish meeting must take place once a year between 1 March 4.1.2 Wales : The last local council elections either metropolitan, ie including a large for all 22 Welsh authorities were held in city such as or , or and 1 June; and the parish council must meet, separately, at least once per year 2017; turnout was unavailable. The next non-metropolitan. There are currently 33 local council elections will be held in 2020. county councils. The number of lower- (Local Government Act 1972, sections tier councils within the county area 9-19). In Wales, there are 735 community varies depending on the size, geography councils which play an administrative 4.1.3 Scotland: In Scotland the last council and specific requirements of the area. role and, as in England, they do not cover elections for all 32 authorities were held Responsibilities for the county-wide area the whole of the Welsh population. In in 2017, with a turnout of 46.9%. The next are shared between county councils Scotland community councils are the elections will take place in 2022. and the lower tiers, known as district lowest tier of statutory representation. or borough councils. County councils Their primary purpose is to ascertain 4.1.4 Northern Ireland: The last local lead on county-wide policy and strategy, the views of the community and government elections in Northern but implementation of some services express them to the local authority and Ireland were held in 2014, with a turnout is shared between the two. District/ other public bodies. Many community of 51.3%. Councillors were elected to borough councils have limited policy councils also involve themselves in a the 11 new councils, which operated in responsibility within their localised wide range of other activities including shadow form until the reformed system functions and manage a discrete set of fundraising, organising community came into operation on 1 April 2015. The services. Councillors are directly elected events, undertaking environmental and next elections are due in 2019. and serve a term of four years. education projects and much more.

4.2 Voting system There are over 1,200 community councils At present all councillors are elected for 3.3.4 Unitary, metropolitan and London in Scotland, all of which are composed of four years in England, Wales and Northern borough councils: operate within a elected volunteers from the community. Ireland, and five years in Scotland, all using unitary structure in all four countries of Community councils were created by the first-past-the-post system, except in the UK, and have the combined areas of the Local Government (Scotland) Act multi-member constituencies in Scotland responsibility of the county and district 1973. The Act required local authorities and Northern Ireland where election is by councils. In 2007, 16 English county to introduce community council single transferable vote. Registered voters councils and their lower tiers, wishing schemes for their area and outlined must be over 18 years, except in Scotland to better align their service provision various arrangements for them including where franchise has been extended to 16 and share back-office functions, made elections, meetings, boundaries and year olds; a resident of the local authority a bid to become unitary authorities as finance. Local authorities have statutory and a citizen of the UK, the European part of a structural review of council oversight of community councils and, Union or a Commonwealth country. demarcations. in consultation with their community

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4.3 Elected representatives 5. SYSTEMS FOR Communities’. To date there is no similar Councillors are elected for four years COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT initiative in Northern Ireland. to represent their constituent wards at 5.1 Legal requirement district or borough level, and divisions at The Local Government Act 1999 requires 6. ORGANISED LOCAL GOVERNMENT county level. The number of councillors councils in England and Wales to carry National local government associations per ward or division is: England: one out consultation with residents for the exist as voluntary membership or two per , three for continuous improvement of service organisations in each of the four countries metropolitan districts, and one to three provision. Local authorities are required of the UK. The Local Government for all other authorities, depending on the to give public notice of all planning Association (LGA) covers all local population; Wales: one to five councillors applications and residents are invited to authorities in England and Wales, per ward or division; Scotland: three comment on planning proposals. The the latter through the Welsh Local or four councillors per ward or division Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 Government Association (WLGA), which for unitary authorities; and in Northern requires that local authorities demonstrate is a constituent part of the LGA but Ireland: five to seven councillors per ward open consultation arrangements and a retains full autonomy in dealing with or division. Any person who is 18 and is responsive ongoing dialogue with their Welsh affairs. In Scotland, the Convention eligible to vote may stand for election. communities. Additionally, in England and of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) Local authorities in England can adopt Wales the Localism Act gives residents represents 28 of the 32 Scottish local one of three systems: a directly elected the power to instigate local referenda authorities; the remaining four councils executive mayor and cabinet; a leader on any local issue and the power to veto are now represented by the Scottish and cabinet; or alternative arrangements excessive increases. Voluntary Local Government Partnership (SLGP). which are only available to small and community groups will also have The Northern Ireland Local Government authorities in two-tier areas. The electorate the right to challenge local authorities Association (NILGA) represents is consulted on which option it wishes over their services. The Local Government local councils in Northern Ireland, to adopt. Any model involving a directly Act (Northern Ireland) requires councils while London Councils represents the 32 elected mayor must be approved in a to undertake community planning to London boroughs and the City of London. binding referendum. The position is similar strengthen community engagement. Among lower-level councils, the National in Wales, except ‘alternative arrangements’ Association of Local Councils (NALC) are no longer an option. A non-statutory 5.2 Implementation represents over 80% of the community, approach has been adopted in Scotland parish and councils in England Councils throughout the UK are resulting in councils adopting one of three and Wales, providing specialist advice experimenting with ways to enhance forms: streamlined committee structures, and dealing with national issues. There citizen participation in the democratic cabinet-style executives or locally-devolved are also 52 affiliated county associations decision-making process. In England structures. In England the Localism Act providing more general support. In Wales and Wales, councils have consulted enables councils to choose whether or most town and community councils are their citizens during the preparation not they wish to return to a committee members of One Voice Wales. system of governance. It also allows certain of their annual budgets using a range of techniques including travelling councils to hold referenda on whether 7. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS they wish to have a directly elected mayor roadshows, referenda, citizen panels and/or business consultation. In England a ‘Central–Local Partnership’ as leader of the council. was established in 1997 between central government and the LGA, 4.4 Women’s representation 5.3 ICT use in citizen engagement aiming to ‘strengthen and sustain local In the 2014-17 election period, 28.4% The Local E-government Programme is a elected government in England’. The (1,511/5,328) of councillors were women, partnership between councils in England partnership agreement establishes down from approximately 31% in 2007- and Wales and the MHCLG which has working arrangements and commits 11. In the 2017 local council elections in brought about major changes in the both partners to consulting one another England, 28.6% (681/2,385) of elected quality and accessibility of services. The on issues of common concern. Wales has councillors were women. This includes range of online services now available established a statutory Partnership Council 28.6% (511/1,787) county councillors, 28.2% includes submitting a planning application, comprising the Welsh Government and (153/543) unitary authority councillors and renewing library books, calculating benefit local government representatives. In 30.9% (17/55) metropolitan councillors. entitlements, checking your council tax Scotland, the Scottish Government and Whilst in Wales in the 2017 local elections, balance, reporting anti-social behaviour COSLA work in partnership around shared 28.6% (359/1,254) of councillors were and applying for a school place. Many policy priorities and outcomes. NILGA has women. Following the most recent local councils are also using various online been given recognition from the Northern elections in Northern Ireland in 2014, 25.1% tools and solutions to help them engage Ireland Assembly. of councillors were women. The council better with residents and local businesses with the highest proportion of women including: online participatory budget 8. MONITORING SYSTEMS councillors was Belfast with exercises; online consultations; online Financial supervision, including 31.7% (19/60). In 2010, 31% of local authority blogs, articles and news items; use of the examination of local authority councillors in England were women. The social media channels to seek out views procurement practices, is coordinated by proportion of female councillors was and issues; and use of social media to the following authorities: the Accounts greatest in London boroughs (36.4%) and promote events to engage residence Commission for Scotland; the Wales Audit metropolitan districts (32.8%), and lowest in and drive up voter registration. In 2012, Office; and the Local Government Auditor 50.4c shire counties (24.6%) . In Scotland, the the Scottish Government, in partnership in Northern Ireland. In England, the percentage of female councillors elected with the public sector in Scotland, which system is different. The UK government in 2012 was 23.9%, and of the 32 council includes local government, published a has reduced the extent of monitoring and leaders in Scotland three are female. After vision document entitled ’Scotland’s Digital inspection for councils in England. Until elections in 2012, women held 28% of the Future: Delivery of Public Services’. This sets 31 March 2015 the Audit Commission council seats in Wales and 5% of council out its ambitions for digital public services was responsible for the monitoring and leaders were women. In Northern Ireland in Scotland and is supported by the local inspection of councils in England. Under in 2014, 25% (116) of councillors and 36.4% government ICT strategy as outlined in the the Local Audit and Accountability Act (4/11) of mayors were women. document ’Delivering Better Services for 2014 it was closed in order to empower

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Table 50.1b Women councillors elected in the last three election periods UK 2007–2017

Election 2007–11 2012–15 2014–17

All Councillors in the UK # % # % # %

All female councillors in the UK na ~31 na na 1,511 28.4

All male councillors in the UK na na na na 3,817 71.6

Total councillors in the UK na 100.0 na 100.0 5,328 100.0

Total councillors in England* # % # % # %

Female councillors in England 5,545 30.6 5,748 31.7 681 28.6

Male councillors in England 12,584 69.4 12,363 68.3 1,704 71.4

Total councillors in England* 18,129 100.0 18,111 100.0 2,385 100.0

Councillors in Wales* # % # % # %

Female councillors in Wales na na na ~28 359 28.6

Male councillors in Wales na na na ~72 895 71.4

Total councillors in Wales* na 100.0 na 100.0 1,254 100.0

Councillors in Scotland # % # % # %

Female councillors in Scotland na 21.8 ~297 24.3 355 28.9

Male councillors in Scotland na 78.2 ~923 75.7 872 71.1

Total councillors in Scotland 1,222 100.0 1,223 100.0 1,227 100.0

Councillors in Northern Ireland # % # % # %

Female councillors in Northern Ireland na na na na 116 25.1

Male councillors in Northern Ireland na na na na 346 74.1

Total councillors in Northern Ireland na 100.0 na 100.0 462 100.0

All mayors/council leaders in the UK # % # % # %

Female mayors/council leaders in the UK na na na na na ~17

Male mayors/council leaders in the UK na na na na na ∼87

Total mayors/council leaders in the UK na 100.0 na 100.0 na 100.0

Mayors/council leaders in England # % # % # %

Female mayors/council leaders in England na na na na na na

Male mayors/council leaders in England na na na na na na

Total mayors/council leaders in England na 100.0 na 100.0 na 100.0

Mayors/council leaders in Wales # % # % # %

Female mayors/council leaders in Wales na na na ~5 4 18.1

Male mayors/council leaders in Wales na na na ~95 18 81.8

Total mayors/council leaders in Wales na 100.0 na 100.0 22 100.0

Council leaders in Scotland # % # % # %

Female council leaders in Scotland 4 6.3 6 18.2 7 20.6

Male council leaders in Scotland 60 93.8 27 81.8 27 79.4

Total council leaders in Scotland 64 100.0 33 100.0 **34 100.0

Mayors/ council leaders in Northern Ireland # % # % # %

Female mayors/council leaders Northern Ireland na na na na na na

Male mayors/council leaders Northern Ireland na na na na na na

Total mayors/council leaders Northern Ireland na 100.0 na 100.0 na 100.0

Source: Compiled by CLGF from communication with the Govts of Wales and Scotland, the LGA and NILGA and the Fawcett Society/LGiU 2016 * For England and Wales, the figures are the number of councillors elected that year (2017) **two councils in Scotland have 2 co-leaders

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councils to appoint their own auditors ‘excessive’ increases, which, if breached, The new system provides incentives to and for local government to be primarily would trigger a local referendum to councils to grow their local economies, accountable for its performance to its validate any increase. Although the same but at the same time it has resulted in electorate. The LGA has set up a new power to cap excessive expenditure exists greater risk and uncertainty. In Northern independent company to oversee a in Scotland, local authorities there have Ireland there are two business rates: number of key transitional responsibilities, not been subject to specific spending the regional rate set by the Northern as well as managing contracts with limits, and voluntarily agreed with the Ireland Assembly, and the district private sector audit firms for the external Scottish Government to freeze council rate set by each of the 11 councils. The audits of councils until 2017. Where a tax rates over the period 2008 to 2016. RSG is a grant distributed by central service user feels s/he has suffered from The district councils, unitary authorities, government to local authorities each local government maladministration, s/ metropolitan districts and London year to provide financial support to he may seek an administrative review of boroughs collect including the taxes carry out their functions. The RSG is the relevant decisions through one of the set by county councils, parish councils, unconditional and may be used for following bodies: the Local Government police authorities and fire authorities. In any purpose within the competence of Ombudsman in England and Northern Northern Ireland there is no council tax, the authority. Hypothecated or specific Ireland; the Public Service Ombudsman but instead a system of rates which is grants are also made to enable local of Wales; or the Scottish Public Services property-based. Community councils in authorities to fulfil central government Ombudsman. Further the Commissioner Scotland receive local authority funding policy objectives. From 2017/18 five areas - for Ethical Standards in Public Life in for running costs only; they can however , Liverpool City Scotland considers complaints about obtain grants for specific initiatives. Region, West Midlands, councillors. The Commissioner can report and are piloting 100% business the outcome of an investigation to the 9.3 Transfers rates retention. Standards Commission for Scotland which The national non-domestic rate (called can apply sanctions.. the uniform poundage rate in Scotland) 9.4 Loans is a tax for businesses set centrally. In Councils have the power to borrow 9. FINANCE, STAFFING AND RESOURCES Scotland, the rate income is pooled funds and in 2015 the LGA created a 9.1 Local government expenditure centrally for redistribution on the basis municipal bonds agency (the Local Over the last five years, local government of where the income is generated. In Capital Finance Company) to reduce expenditure has steadily declined 2013 a new system of business rate long-term capital costs for councils by as a proportion of total government retention began in England. Instead of introducing competition and diversity expenditure from a high of 23.5% in the business rates collected by councils in the marketplace and giving councils 2012/13 to 22.7% in 2016/17. being pooled and distributed by more control over the interest rates they government through a formula grant, pay. Councils in England currently source councils now have the right to keep half 75% of their borrowing from the Public 9.2 Locally raised revenue of the business rates collected in their Works Loan Board (PWLB), leaving them Local authorities in England and area (’the local share’), whilst the other vulnerable to interest rates set to deliver Wales set council tax rates but central half (’the central share’) is redistributed to the government’s public borrowing plans. government can cap increases it councils in the form of a revenue support considers excessive. For England, central grant (RSG). The local tax-base growth is government can set a threshold for retained within local government.

Table 50.2a Summary of consolidated local government income and expenditure for 2015/16

Income England Wales Scotland Northern Total Expenditure England Wales Scotland Northern Total GB£m Ireland* GB£m Ireland*

Centre–local Service expenditure transfers

Police grant 7,423 222 – – 7,805 Central services 12,239 306 686 79 13,641

Specific grants and 49,668 6,305 9,948 56 73,439 Education 38,494 2,576 4,946 – 47,681 general revenue grants

Highways and transport 7,394 271 622 – 7,576

Locally raised Social care/social 29,165 1,667 4,044 – 32,418 revenue services

Council taxb 24,734 1,323 2,055 532 27,063 Housing 2,937 1,152 3,058 – 6,578

Retained income from: Public health 3,336 – – 38 2,706

Business rates 11,855 – – – 10,719 Culture, environment, 13,023 686 1,932 552 16,091 economic development and planning

Sales, fees and 11,666 – 2,423 152 14,248 Police, fire and rescue 14,040 825 – – 14,920 charges

Other locally-raised 18,757 – 2,807 – 19,744 Other 427 361 47 80 3,498 revenue

TOTAL 124,103 7,850 17,233 740 153,017 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 121,055 7,844 15,335 749 145,109

* Northern Ireland 2014/15 Source: Compiled by CLGF from communications with the Governments of Wales and Scotland, the LGA and NILGA

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9.5 Local authority staff District or borough councils, the lower- 10.1.1.2 Devolution deals: are agreements Local authorities determine their own tier councils of the county system in between central government, local staffing structure and accordingly England, provide many local services and government and other partners on the employees are recruited, managed and have responsibility for some distinct areas new arrangements that will be made in dismissed at the discretion of the local outside the remit of the county such as an area to deliver better public services authority. The head official is normally housing, cemeteries and crematoria and and encourage growth. Before a deal Is the chief executive. There are a few the electoral register. They also deliver agreed, a council or group of councils statutory roles, including a named officer services that are managed and determined will negotiate with government on responsible for the proper administration by the county council: for example, they what they need to deliver better local of the council’s financial affairs, known collect waste and the county manages it, outcomes, as well as what governance as the S151 officer (S95 in Scotland), they collect taxes at a level determined arrangements would be appropriate, who is usually but not necessarily the by the county, and they work to develop such as a and chief financial officer or director of businesses within the framework of an directly elected mayor. Once these finance. This individual has the power LED policy set by the county council. proposals are agreed, they are signed in exceptional cases to immediately Local authorities in Northern Ireland are by the partners to the agreement and suspend all business of the council if s/he responsible for a restricted number of each individual council will then ratify suspects serious financial misconduct. services: street cleaning; refuse collection the agreement. A number of devolution All local authority members of staff have and disposal; recreational, social and deals have been agreed across the the opportunity to join public sector cultural facilities; promotion of economic country covering metropolitan and non- employment unions and a national local development; tourism development; and metropolitan areas, and many further government pension scheme. burial grounds and crematoria. They also proposals have been put forward.10a have a number of regulatory functions. 10. DISTRIBUTION OF SERVICE Parishes and community councils across 10.1.1.3 Alternative statutory governance DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITY England, Wales and Northern Ireland frameworks: In recent years councils in manage community facilities such as 10.1 Overview of local government England have increasingly been working village halls, war memorials, cemeteries, service delivery responsibility together to find more efficient ways to leisure facilities and playgrounds. The services a council provides vary deliver public services, save money and The Scottish government’s National according to the type of council it is and promote economic growth. This has Performance Framework provides a its location in the UK. Single-tier or unitary been given extra momentum by the single framework to which all public authorities, including metropolitan recent austerity measures and cuts in services in Scotland are aligned. The councils and London boroughs, are funding to local authorities. Joint working entire public sector, including all 32 local responsible for the provision of all approaches seek to provide economies authorities, is working in partnership to local government functions within of scale, simplify funding streams and deliver 16 ‘national outcomes’, which will their area. They have responsibility for enable councils to plan and deliver improve the quality of life and wellbeing fire and civil defence, waste disposal, services for a workable geography. The for all of Scotland in terms of economic, local economic development, and four main governance frameworks are: social and environmental factors. Single transport, especially within cities; and joint committees (JCs) of two or more Outcome Agreements between the these are often provided through joint councils, which are relatively quick to Scottish government and local authorities, authorities. In two-tier local authorities, set up but have no legal status and are working as part of a community planning responsibilities are split between the therefore restricted in what they can do; partnership, set out how each will work at county councils and the district or combined authorities (CAs), are legal a local level towards delivering the national borough councils. County councils in bodies set up using national legislation outcomes. England are responsible for managing that enables a group of two or more statutory services and strategic-level councils to collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries; functions. The main statutory services are 10.1.1 Recent developments in economic prosperity boards (EPBs), which social services for vulnerable and elderly delivery of services in England are subject to the same conditions as CAs, adults and for children in the care of the 10.1.1.1 Community Budgets: is a but cannot take on transport functions; state (‘looked-after children’), fostering, programme allowing public services, and, directly elected mayors with powers adoption and schools. Other statutory business and the voluntary sector to across more than one council. services include the management of work together to develop new responses waste, the maintenance of roads, public to local challenges. Beginning with the health, environmental management and citizen experience, the budgets are 10.1.1.4 Police and crime commissioners: emergency and disaster planning. More designed to look at the whole system Elections for police and crime strategic services such as local economic rather than discrete services; and, rooted commissioners (PCCs) take place every development (LED) and community in evidence, they demand new models four years with the first in November 2012, development or wellbeing are considered of investment to set up and sustain the then 2016 when the turnout was 27.3%, up discretionary services. most effective intervention. from 15.1% . Their mandate is to: represent and engage with the public; set local policing priorities; agree a local strategic Table 50.2b Local government expenditure plan; hold the local chief constable to as a percentage of total government expenditure 2012–17 account; set the local police budget and 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 tax rate; and appoint, the chief constable. (GB£m) (GB£m) (GB£m) (GB£m) (GB£m) Elections were held in all police force areas in England and Wales, except in London, Total government expenditure 731,993 736,886 751,988 753,916 770,576 where the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Total local government expenditure 171,901 172,502 173,170 173,464 174,703 Crime has taken on the powers of a PCC. PCCs are also held to account by a police Local government expenditure as a and crime panel composed of locally 23.5% 23.4% 23.0% 23.0% 22.7% as a % of total government expenditure elected councillors and independent members. Source: Compiled by CLGF from table 7.1 and table 1.1 of the UK Treasury Public Expenditure, Statistical Report 201750.9 www.clgf.org.uk/uk 271 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN UK COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18

10.1.2 Recent developments in delivery 50.2d Local Governance (Scotland) Act 50.4c National Census of Local of services in Northern Ireland 2004 www.legislation.gov.uk/ Authority Councillors 2010 Recent reforms have seen key services asp/2004/9/contents www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page. such as planning, urban regeneration, local 50.2e Local Government Act (Northern do?pageId=15003600 economic development and local tourism Ireland) 2014 www.legislation.gov. 50.5 No reference for this section regrouped to promote local development, uk/nia/2014/8/contents 50.6a Local Government Association, and this will be reinforced by a more 50.3a 2011 Census England and England and Wales www.lga.gov.uk responsive and participatory community Wales www.ons.gov.uk/ons/ 50.6b Welsh Local Government planning process. Local councils have a dcp171778_292378.pdf Association www.wlga.gov.uk strengthened role in ensuring the local 50.3b 2011 Census Scotland 50.6c Convention of Scottish Local investment climate fits the needs of new www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ Authorities www.cosla.gov.uk business and supports the needs of small population-households 50.6d Northern Ireland Local and medium-sized enterprises. 50.3c 2011 Census Northern Ireland Government Association www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/ www.nilga.org 10.2 ICT use in service delivery Theme.aspx?themeNumber=136& 50.6e National Association of Local A National ICT Category Management themeName=Census 2011 Councils www.nalc.gov.uk 50.10b Programme (NICTMP) was launched 50.3d Combined authorities 50.7 No reference for this section in 2012 aimed at supporting councils https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/ 50.8 No reference for this section to procure the technology systems and devolution/combined-authorities 50.9 Based on the total of GB£171.9bn tools they need more cost-effectively, 50.3e Local government in England: in table 7.1 and GB£732.0m from to enable them to deliver local public structures UK Parliament 2017 table 1.1 for the UK Treasury’s Public services that provide value for money. http://researchbriefings.files. Expenditure, Statistical Report 2017 parliament.uk/documents/ www.gov.uk/government/uploads/ SN07104/SN07104.pdf 10.3 The role of local government system/uploads/attachment_data/ in achieving the UN Sustainable 50.3f Census of Local Authority file/630570/60243_PESA_ Development Goals (SDGs) Councillors 2013 LGA Accessible.pdf www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/ The House of Commons Environmental 50.10a National ICT Category LGCL01/LGCL01.pdf Audit Committee March 2017 report Management Programme 50.10b on SDGs in the UK laments that 50.3g Parish and town councils: recent www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/ ’despite adopting the Sustainable issues UK Parliament 2015 files/documents/national-ict- Development Goals and committing http://researchbriefings.files. commercial-c-cc8.pdf itself to working “tirelessly for the full parliament.uk/documents/ 50.10b House of Commons implementation of [the Goals] by SN04827/SN04827.pdf Environmental Audit Committee 2030”, the Government has shown 50.3h Local Government Facts and report Sustainable Development little interest in, or enthusiasm for, Figures - LGiU 2017 www.lgiu.org. Goals in the UK March 2017 implementing the Goals in the UK’ (page uk/local-government-facts-and- https://publications.parliament. 25). The report recommends that the figures/#how-many-councillors- uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/ government needs to clearly define the are-there cmenvaud/596/596.pdf responsibilities of local government for 50.3i Open Council Data UK 50.10c England – revenue outturn contributing to the SDGs. Clarifying the http://opencouncildata.co.uk statistical release Tables position of local authorities would enable 50.3j County councils RS and RSX www.gov.uk/ them to develop a level of ‘ownership’ www.localgovernmentexecutive. government/statistics/ over their sustainable development co.uk/councils local-authority-revenue- programmes. The report noted the 50.3k Department of Communities and expenditure-and-financing- benefits of metropolitan mayors playing Local Government, England and england-2015-to-2016-individual- a greater role in the development Wales www.communities.gov.uk local-authority-data-outturn agenda for their area, highlighting the success ’s mayor has had in 50.3l Director General Communities, 50.10d Wales – revenue outturn environmental policies” (p.36–37). Scotland www.gov.scot/Topics/ statistical release table 1 http:// Government/local-government gov.wales/statistics-and-research/ REFERENCES AND USEFUL WEBSITES 50.3m Department for Local local-authority-revenue-capital- = 50.1a National government portal Government and Local outturn-expenditure/?lang en www.direct.gov.uk Government Business, Wales 50.10e DoE report on district council 50.1b Women in national parliaments. http://gov.wales/topics/ (Northern Ireland) rate www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm localgovernment statistics 2014/15 www.doeni. gov.uk/circular_lg_20_14_-_ 50.2a The UK has no written 50.3n Department of the Environment, district_council__ni__rate_ constitution though some Northern Ireland statistics_2014_2015.pdf founding legislation including the www.nidirect.gov.uk/department- 1215, Bill of Rights of-the-environment 50.11a UN statistics surface area (1689), and the Act of Union 1707 50.4a Electoral Commission http://unstats.un.org/unsd/ www.bl.uk/magna-carta/articles/ www.electoralcommission.org.uk demographic/products/dyb/ britains-unwritten-constitution 50.4b Does local government work dyb2006/Table03.pdf 50.2b Cities and Local Government for women? Final report - 50.11b Commonwealth Local Devolution Act 2016 Fawcett Society and Local Government knowledge hub www.legislation.gov.uk/ Government Information Unit www.clgf.org.uk/resource-centre/ ukpga/2016/1/contents/enacted www.lgiu.org.uk/report/does- knowledge-hub 50.2c Local Government (Democracy) local-government-work-for- 50.11c UNDP HDR UK country profile (Wales) Act 2013 www.legislation.gov. women-final-report-of-the-local- http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/ uk/anaw/2013/4/contents/enacted government-commission profiles/GBR

272 www.clgf.org.uk/uk COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN UK

Annex 50a Summary of service provision in different spheres of government in the UK

Delivering authority

Lower tier Parishes/ Central Devolved Unitary Upper tier (districts/ community Services government administrations authorities (counties) boroughs) councils Remarks GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Police n n Fire protection n n Civil protection n n n Criminal justice n n Devolved in Scotland Civil status register n n n District England only Statistical office n n Electoral register n n EDUCATION Pre-school (kindergarten and nursery) n n Primary n n Secondary n n Vocational and technical n n Higher education n Adult education n n SOCIAL WELFARE Family welfare services n n Welfare homes n n Social security n n Partly devolved in Scotland PUBLIC HEALTH Primary care n n Local delivery Hospitals n n England only Health protection n n n HOUSING AND TOWN PLANNING Housing n n n District England only Town planning n n n n County England only Regional planning n n n TRANSPORT Roads n n n Transport n n n Urban roads n Urban rail n n Ports n n n Airports n ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SANITATION Water and sanitation n n n Refuse collection and disposal n n n In two-tier areas, n n n Cemeteries and crematoria districts are responsible Slaughterhouses n for waste collection and counties for disposal Environmental protection n n Consumer protection n n n n CULTURE, LEISURE AND SPORTS Theatres and concerts n n n n Museums and libraries n n n n n Libraries responsibility of Parks and open spaces n n n n counties Sports and leisure facilities n n n n Religious facilities UTILITIES Gas services n District heating n Water supply n n Electricity n n ECONOMIC Agriculture, forests and fisheries n n n Local economic development/promotion n n n n n Trade and industry n n n n n Tourism n n n n

n sole responsibility service n joint responsibility service n discretionary service

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