local gov

Question 1

what are the local gov key points

Answer 1

• they have no constitutional right to exist and can be reformed, removed or reshaped at any time by parliament
• they are only able to carry out allocated functions by the central gov. If they exceed this they become ‘ultra vires’, where any spending is individually charged to supporting councillors

Question 2

role of local gov

Answer 2

• provide services sanctioned by central gov at a local level
• democratic processes, citizens can voice opinions, they can stand for elected public office
• provide funding/advocacy platform for political parties
• decide on local provision of services eg planning or transports
• there are new elected roles such as direcly elected mayors and p+c commissioners
• england and wales are similar, scotland and northern ireland are different

Question 3

what is the tier system

Answer 3

replace with a singular council

community, parish, town, city, county etc

Question 4

meaning of full council

Answer 4

elected councillors that debate and decide policy from reports

Question 5

what are committees (local)

Answer 5

councillors that monitor council’s performance and decision making process, they hold them to account

Question 6

what is cabinet like locally

Answer 6

like central gov

the majority party/group appoints a leader of the council who works with a small group of councillors who are responsible for a service area

Question 7

what are ceremonial mayors

Answer 7

leader of the council

1 year

Question 8

what are directly elected mayors

Answer 8

responsible for running all local services
power to make own senior appointments
held to account by councillors

Question 9

what kinds of services do the local gov provide

Answer 9

education
housing
transport
planning
waste
highways

Question 10

what are local councillors

Answer 10

• represent interests of community
• represent their political party
• campaign in best interests of the community
• hold surgeries and deal with issues
• serve on community bodies, represent council on outside bodies
• attend civic and community functions
• serve on council committees and help decide council policy eg spending plans or council tax
• hold the council to account

Question 11

how are local councillors held accountable

Answer 11

• ballot box, they face electorate when standing for re-election
• local media, reports on work
• code of conduct they must adhere to
• political party
• annual external audit, all subject to
• publication of financial expenses and allowances claimed by councillors