Structure of local government

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:

1. •

   a county council responsible for education, highways, social services and waste disposal

2. •

   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