Contents

Summary 5

1 Local government structures 6

1.1 Local authorities in England 6

1.2 Fire and rescue authorities / Police and Crime Commissioners 7

1.3 Other authorities 8

2 Functions of local government 9

3 Elections to principal local authorities 10

3.1 Electoral systems and wards 10

3.2 Elections by halves and thirds 11

3.3 The franchise 12

3.4 Turnout 12

4 Boundary changes and restructuring 13

4.1 Creating a unitary authority 13

4.2 District council mergers 13

4.3 Structural changes 2010-2025 14

4.4 Small area boundary reviews 15

4.5 Government guidance 16

5 Local government finance 18

5.1 Sources of finance 18

Council tax 18

Business rates 18

Central government grants 19

Local fees and charges 19

5.2 The Local Government Finance Settlement 19

Funding included 19

Annual practice 20

6 Local government accountability 22

6.1 The Local Government Accountability Framework 22

6.2 Statutory guidance and codes of practice 25

6.3 Best Value 26

6.4 Local Outcomes Framework 26

6.5 OFLOG 29

7 Intervention in local government 32

7.1 Powers of intervention 32

7.2 Interventions 32

Table 2: local authority interventions 33

7.3 When do interventions take place? 34

7.4 Directions 35

8 Structures: history 36

8.1 Pre-1972 36

8.2 The 1972-74 reforms 36

8.3 Structural changes since 1972 37

Appendix: functions of local authorities in England 38