Local Authority
A Local Authority is an organisation that is officially responsible for all public services and faciltities in a particular area. They are multi purpose bodies responsible for delivering a broad range of services in relation to highways, planning, housing, economic and community development, environment, recreation and amenity services, fire services and maintaining a register of electors. Local Authorities can be Waste Collection Authorities and/or Waste Disposal Authorities.
Types of local government
Depending on where you live, local government consists of at least one or two tiers of authorities[1]. Two tiers, with responsibilities of local Waste services divided between them, within England there are:
- 24 County Councils
- 181 district, borough or city councils
One (untiaru) tier providing all services. Within England there are[1]:
- 59 unitary councils
- 33 London boroughs
- 36 metropolitan boroughs
Across England, there are also around 9,000 parish and town councils, 10 National Parks responsible for conservation and promotion of scenic areas, as well as local authorities responsible specifically for policing and fire and rescue services[1].
Since the passing of new legislation in 2009, there is an additional type of regional authority, Combined Authorities, where two or more councils collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries[1] e.g. Greater Manchester Combined Authority