Local authority
In 1974, a two-tier administrative structure was established for local government in England and Wales with functions allocated at the level at which they could be practised most efficiently.
The two tiers are:
- County councils, responsible for services across an entire county, such as; education, transport, planning policy, fire, public safety, social care, libraries, waste management, trading standards, and so on.
- District, borough or city councils, covering a smaller area and responsible for local services such as; rubbish collection and recycling, council tax collections, housing and planning applications.
However, a local government reorganisation in the 1990s, introduced unitary authorities. These are single-tier administrations with responsibility for all aspects of local government in their area. Between 1995 and 1998 unitary authorities were established in a number of areas, in particular in medium-sized urban areas, with further reorganisation taking place in 2009.
In London and some metropolitan areas some services are provided through ‘joint authorities’.
Parish, community and town councils operate at a level below district and borough councils and in some cases, unitary authorities. They can provide help on issues such as; allotments, bus shelters, community centres, play areas, grants, neighbourhood planning and so on. They can also issue fixed penalty fines for issues such as littering and graffiti.
Gov.uk provides a search tool to help find local authorities.
Local councillors are elected for a 4-year term and are responsible for all decisions. Some councils have a civic mayor or chairman of the council to carry out ceremonial duties and chair meetings. Some councils have an elected mayor responsible for the day-to-day running of services.
The local planning authority is usually the planning department of the district or borough council. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) defines a local planning authority as:
'...the public authority whose duty it is to carry out specific planning functions for a particular area. All references to local planning authority apply to the district council, London borough council, county council, Broads Authority, National Park Authority and the Greater London Authority, to the extent appropriate to their responsibilities.'
Building Regulations approvals can be sought either from the building control department of the local authority or from an approved inspector.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Approved inspector.
- Building control body.
- Community planning.
- Composition of UK construction industry 2013.
- Construction industry institutes and associations.
- Environmental regulators.
- Government departments responsibility for construction.
- Local government.
- Local needs analysis.
- Local planning authority.
- Local resident.
- Localism act.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Planning authority.
- Planning permission.
- Public authority.
- Public body.
- Public building.
- Public Health Act 1984.
- Town council.
- UK.
- Unitary authority.
Featured articles and news
Soil moisture content, construction and landscaping
The effects, of low and high rainfall on soil and buidlings.
Sustainability or sentimentality in the refurbishment sector.
Has the pendulum now swung too far ?
Negative impacts of political instability on projects
Expected by 64% of the respondents in nationwide survey.
BSRIA Market Intelligence Reports
World Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) 2022
Statement of health and early intervention.
The importance of regular check-ups
And related links on DB.
Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS
Rooflights, skylights, roof windows and Part L
Shedding some light on the new Building Regulations.
Interview with historic built environment surveyor.
Upgraded membership category now requires assessment.
The average kinetic energy of molecules
Temperature in buildings, explained on DB
Women and unequal pay in project management
Main barrier to entering the profession, new study reveals.
IHBC’s response to Parliamentary Committee
On Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill.
Finalists for 2022 CIOB Awards revealed
Over 70 managers and organisations shortlisted for the 14 awards.
Types of building sensors on BD
From biometric to electrical current, chemical and more.
Government mandates detectors in rented homes
Changes are due to come into force on 1st October 2022.
80% of major government projects are rated red or amber
Heed advice and insight of this report IPA tells the government.
The end of the games but continued calls for action
From the Commonwealth Association of Architects.
Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS