Local Government - where to find your job!

Page 3 of 6

What councils do - and therefore what job opportunities exist - varies widely from place to place. Through a series of directed reorganisations, historical accidents and local policy inititatives, Councils each tackle a differing range of public service tasks.

Below is a summary of what different types of councils do. It is not an exhaustive list, rather an outline indicator.

Metropolitan Councils (large cities or conurbations such as Birmingham, Glasgow, London Boroughs) - are unitary (all-purpose) authorities. They control all council services, e.g. education, housing (including housing benefit and council tax collection) social services, environmental services, waste disposal, highways, consumer services, leisure services, libraries and arts and planning. Unitary authorities (such as Thurrock, Herefordshire and Milton Keynes) cover the same responsibilities in a smaller or less populous area.

County Councils - are part of the two-tier system which comprises counties and districts. They cover education, social services, highways, some planning matters, environmental services (but not environmental health), consumer services (but not some aspects of premises licensing) and libraries and arts.

District Councils - are part of the two-tier system. Their responsibilities cover housing, including housing benefits and council tax collections, some planning matters, waste disposal, licensing, environmental health and leisure.

Parish and Town Councils - are the smallest local authorities and may only have a handful of paid staff. Their responsibilities include some local planning and highways matters, allotments, bus shelters, tourism and some aspects of economic development.

Overall, it's a confusing picture. Most public surveys show that ordinary council tax payers have little idea of what their local council does. Many think they also have responsibility for the police, hospitals and the courts or prisons (they don't).