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about local government
England
In England, local government is organized into several types of councils, each with different responsibilities and geographic scopes. These councils are democratically elected and are accountable to the public through regular elections. They vary in size, structure, and the services they provide, depending on the needs and characteristics of their local areas.
These councils cover larger areas known as counties and are responsible for services like education, transport, strategic planning, fire and public safety, social care, libraries, and waste management.
Operating within county council areas, district councils handle a smaller area and focus on services such as rubbish collection, recycling, Council Tax collections, housing, and planning applications.
These are single-tier councils that provide all local services within their areas, which can include cities, urban areas, and larger towns. Some shire counties also operate as unitary authorities without district councils beneath them.
Found in large urban areas like Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, metropolitan districts are responsible for all local services. However, certain services like fire, police, and public transport may be provided through joint authorities.
The 32 London boroughs manage nearly all local services in their areas. The Greater London Authority (GLA) provides London-wide governance, with special responsibilities for police, fire, strategic planning, and transport.
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