A guide to local government

This guide will help you find out who to speak to in your local government authority.

Most people like to call their local government authority their local council.

Local government is in charge of lots of services for people and businesses in their area.

Services are things like housing, schools, waste collection and social care .

In England, more than one million people work in local government.

Local councils are made up of councillors who are elected by local people in local elections.

Councillors work with local people and others to agree and deliver services.

Local government is different in each area of the country.

There are different types of local government in England:

County Councils provide most of the services in their area.

District Councils cover a smaller area and may provide more local services like housing and planning.

Unitary Authorities (like London Boroughs) provide all the services in a certain area.

Metropolitan districts are also unitary authorities and can be called Metropolitan Boroughs or City Councils.

Councillors are elected every four years to speak up for local people.

Councillors represent an area called a ward or a district.

Councillors are involved in decision making and attend different meetings.

Councillors are community leaders and work with others to help the local community.

Council officers and staff work for the council and carry out duties on their behalf.

Elected councillors will speak to voters about their plans for the coming year.

Councillors attend different meetings in their communities to listen to local people and offer support.

Ward/District meetings are held for people to share concerns with their local councillors.

Council officers are there to also help local people with any issues they want to talk about.

Councillors, officers and staff may ask you questions to find out what you think.

Sometimes things are decided that you may not feel happy about.

This may include the results of an assessment or care plan.

You may feel that you are not getting the right support.

Something may be happening in your area that you feel is not good for you.

You can challenge decisions made by the council.

If you are not happy you can contact your local councillor and ask them to support you through the process.

Sometimes you may need to take your challenge further.

You can complain to your local council in writing.

You can get advice from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

If you are still not happy you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman who can help you.

You can ask a solicitor to help you too.

You can write to your Member of Parliament and ask them to help you.

You can find your local council at: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Find a Local Government Ombudsman at: https://www.lgo.org.uk/