How local government works
Local government is the collective term for local councils. You may also sometimes hear them referred to as local authorities. Local councils are made up of councillors (members) who are voted for by the public in local elections and paid council staff (officers) who deliver services.
Councillors from different political parties make up the full council. The council is divided down into individual groups called committees and an executive. The full council is the central decision-maker and debates and decides upon policy, based on reports from the committees.
After decisions have been made by the elected members of the council, officers who work to deliver services on a daily basis, implement the policies. They also provide information for council committees recommending possible future policy.
Find out more about how local councils work at:
Local Government Association website www.lga.gov.uk
Local Government Information Unit website www.lgiu.gov.uk
Find out more about the role of councillors and becoming a councillor at:
Be a councillor www.beacouncillor.org.uk
Translation
by