Structure of local government

Local authorities (LAs) are corporations, created by Parliament as single legal entities. LAs may only do what Parliament said they could do in the statute under which they were established, under statutes adding to their purpose, or using the General Power of Competence, see further Practice Note: General power of competence.

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:

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

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Local Government News

Key planning provisions in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

Planning analysis: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 10 July 2025 and is awaiting a second reading. The Bill gives legislative effect to the government’s ambitions to reintroduce strategic planning across England and create a consistent framework for devolved powers. This analysis looks at the key planning provisions of the Bill, alongside the background to its introduction and the potential implications for the planning and development sector.

Post adoption contact—where are we now? (Re S (Placement Order Contact))

Family analysis: The Court of Appeal judgment in Re S (Placement Order Contact) carefully considers the court’s approach to contact between siblings at the placement for adoption stage. There has been a shift in recent years with a great deal of research as to the potential advantages to adopted children of maintaining some sort of direct contact with their birth family. That being said, on the ground it remains unusual for orders to be made under section 26 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (ACA 2002) for direct contact, with proposals in final care plans often being for indirect or letterbox contact. The Court of Appeal makes clear that in each case where placement orders are made, there needs to be a bespoke analysis of the future contact arrangements, in order to meet the complex and life-long needs of children who are to be placed for adoption. Written by Gemma Adams, associate solicitor at Dawson Cornwell LLP.

High Court refuses permission to review Government’s export decision on combat aircraft components—R (Al-Haq v Secretary of State for Business)

Public Law analysis: Judicial review—the High Court refused permission to bring judicial review proceedings in respect of the government’s decision to exclude licences for the export of components for F-35 combat aircraft which could not be identified as destined for Israel (the F-35 exclusion). On 2 September 2024, the defendant, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade (the SSBT), decided to suspend licences authorising the export of items that might be used in carrying out or facilitating Israeli military operations in the conflict in Gaza. The SSBT did so explicitly because the government had formed the view that Israel was not committed to compliance with international humanitarian law in the conflict in Gaza and that there was therefore a clear risk that such items might be used in that conflict to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law. The claimant, supported by the interveners, challenged the lawfulness of the F-35 exclusion, which was referred to in the judgment as the ‘F-35 Carve Out’. Written by Rowena Wisniewska Sethi, barrister at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square Chambers.

MHCLG confirms six regions for Devolution Priority Programme implementation

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed six regions for the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP), following the introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to Parliament , which aims to decentralise power and ignite regional growth, helping local people take back control of their regions. The programme will establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities in Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton and Hampshire and the Solent. Inaugural elections are scheduled for May 2026, while Cumbria and Cheshire and Warrington will hold elections in May 2027. MHCLG confirms thirty-year investment funds will remain part of the devolution package. Funding will also be standardised to increase transparency and fairness.

View Local Government by content type :

News