Local government structure

Question 1

What are the two tiers of local authorities created by the 1972 Local Government Act (and still existing in some parts of England)?

Answer 1

County (or Shire) councils
District or borough councils

Question 2

Name three responsibilities of County (or Shire) councils.

Answer 2

Education
Social services (e.g., child protection and care for the elderly)
Transport
Libraries and museums
Waste disposal
Strategic, county-wide planning (mainly waste disposal and mineral extraction)

Question 3

Name three responsibilities of district or borough councils.

Answer 3

Housing
Refuse collection
Planning (housing estates, house extensions, new supermarkets etc.)
Collection of council tax and uniform business rates (UBR)
Environmental health (inspection of food premises etc.)

Question 4

What happened to the Metropolitan County Councils in England, such as the one in South Yorkshire, in 1986? What replaced them?

Answer 4

They were abolished and replaced with unitary authorities responsible for all services in the area.

Question 5

Give an example of a unitary authority in South Yorkshire.

Answer 5

Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, or Doncaster.

Question 6

What is the role of a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)? Who is the current PCC for South Yorkshire?

Answer 6

PCCs are elected individuals with a mandate to hold the police to account on behalf of the public. They aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service. Mayor Oliver Coppard is also the PCC for South Yorkshire.

Question 7

What body scrutinizes the Police and Crime Commissioners? What power do they have?

Answer 7

Police and Crime Panels, consisting of local councillors. They can veto the PCC proposals for the police precept and the appointment of chief constables.

Question 8

How are Police and Crime Commissioners funded?

Answer 8

By a precept on the council tax.

Question 9

What are Combined Fire Authorities responsible for? Give an example.

Answer 9

Providing democratic oversight of the fire service. South Yorkshire Fire Authority oversees the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Question 10

How is the Fire Authority funded?

Answer 10

By a precept on the council tax.

Question 11

What body oversees transport in South Yorkshire? Who are its members?

Answer 11

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, including the elected heads from the four unitary authorities in South Yorkshire.

Question 12

Who is usually the transport authority in rural areas? Give an example.

Answer 12

The county or shire council. For example, North Yorkshire County Council is the transport authority for North Yorkshire.

Question 13

What is the role of Highways England?

Answer 13

It operates, maintains, and improves England’s motorways and major A roads.

Question 14

What act created the two-tier local authority system in England?

Answer 14

The 1972 Local Government Act.

Question 15

What is a ‘hybrid structure’ in local government?

Answer 15

A system where unitary authorities exist alongside two-tier authorities.

Question 16

What are parish councils also called?

Answer 16

Town councils.

Question 17

How do parish councils raise money?

Answer 17

Through the parish precept on council taxes.

Question 18

Name three responsibilities of parish councils.

Answer 18

Playground equipment, public toilets, park benches, streetlights, footpaths.

Question 19

What is the Greater London Authority responsible for?

Answer 19

Policing, transport, fire and rescue services, and the congestion charge.

Question 20

What is the role of officers in the local authority?

Answer 20

They are the paid civil service and should be politically neutral; they implement policy.

Question 21

How often are councillors elected?

Answer 21

Every four years.

Question 22

What is the role of the Leader of the Council?

Answer 22

They are an elected councillor who is the head of the governing party.

Question 23

What is the role of the Chief Executive?

Answer 23

They are the senior officer who leads the entire “paid service”.

Question 24

What is the Basic Allowance and the Special Responsibility Allowance for councillors?

Answer 24

Councillors are unpaid but can claim a Basic Allowance, plus a Special Responsibility Allowance if they take on extra duties.

Question 25

Who is eligible to stand for local elections?

Answer 25

UK, Irish, Commonwealth, and EU citizens (if resident before December 31, 2020), resident for 12 months, on the electoral register, or have owned property/worked in the area for 12 months.  

Question 26

Who can vote in local elections?

Answer 26

UK, Irish, EU, and Commonwealth citizens (if resident before December 31, 2020), 18+, and on the electoral register.  

Question 27

What are the two main ways decisions are taken by local authorities?

Answer 27

Committee System and Leader and Cabinet System.  

Question 28

Describe the Committee System.

Answer 28

Policy proposals are considered by committees and subcommittees, then passed to the Full Council for final approval.  

Question 29

Describe the Leader and Cabinet System.

Answer 29

The Leader of the Council or Directly Elected Mayor chooses councillors for the Cabinet, which often makes decisions without consulting the majority of councillors.  

Question 30

What is the role of Scrutiny Committees?

Answer 30

They can make comments and suggest amendments, but the Full Council only approves key decisions.  

Question 31

What are the pros and cons of the Leader and Cabinet System?

Answer 31

Pros: quicker and more efficient. Cons: less democratic, creates two classes of councillor.  

Question 32

What change did Sheffield make to its governance system in 2021?

Answer 32

Voted to abandon the leader and cabinet system for a ‘modern’ committee system.  

Question 33

What is a Directly Elected Mayor (DEM)?

Answer 33

A powerful, executive-style position, not to be confused with ceremonial mayors.  

Question 34

What was the main purpose of the Localism Act 2011?

Answer 34

To shift power away from central government and towards local people.  

Question 35

What is the ‘general power of competence’ given to local authorities by the Localism Act 2011?

Answer 35

Local authorities can do anything an individual can do, provided they do not break other laws.  

Question 36

What was the aim of the Northern Powerhouse initiative?

Answer 36

To boost economic growth in the north of England.  

Question 37

Which areas are part of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)?

Answer 37

Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, and Barnsley.  

Question 38

What powers does SYMCA have?

Answer 38

Extra powers over transport and strategic planning.  

Question 39

How is SYMCA funded?

Answer 39

£30m extra a year for 30 years from central government.  

Question 40

Who is the current leader of Sheffield City Council?

Answer 40

Tom Hunt.  

Question 41

How many wards is Sheffield divided into, and how many councillors are there in total?

Answer 41

28 wards, 84 councillors.  

Question 42

What is the term of office for Sheffield councillors?

Answer 42

Four years.  

Question 43

How often are elections held for Sheffield City Council?

Answer 43

One third of councillors are up for election each year, with one “fallow year” without elections.  

Question 44

Who provides national oversight of the police service?

Answer 44

The Home Secretary.  

Question 45

What provided local democratic oversight of the police until 2012?

Answer 45

Police Authorities, consisting of councillors, magistrates, and local business leaders.  

Question 46

What replaced Police Authorities in 2012?

Answer 46

Directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).  

Question 47

What are the responsibilities of PCCs?

Answer 47

Appoint and dismiss chief constables, direct local policing priorities, and ensure value for money.  

Question 48

How are PCCs held accountable?

Answer 48

They are scrutinised by Police and Crime Panels, consisting of local councillors.