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Origins and structures of Local Government

Origins and structures of Local Government. History of local government Reorganisation Parish Councils Emergency Services. Brief History. 19 th century - local government was hit and miss. Bodies, which did exist, were unelected and patchy in their performance and coverage.

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Origins and structures of Local Government

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  1. Origins and structures of Local Government History of local government Reorganisation Parish Councils Emergency Services

  2. Brief History • 19thcentury - local government was hit and miss. Bodies, which did exist, were unelected and patchy in their performance and coverage. • First reform of local government - 1835 • Local Government Act 1888 • 1894 - Urban and District Councils

  3. County and District Councils • Boroughs with more than 50,000 became County Boroughs (independent from CC) • Boroughs with less than 50,000 became Municipal Boroughs (tied to CC) • LGA 1894 renamed Urban and Sanitary Districts

  4. 1974 Reorganisation • More than 1000 existing local authorities should be replaced by 61 new local authority areas. • Called for two tier metropolitan councils in some areas, ie Merseyside, Grt Manchester • Elsewhere two tier county/district systems • Saw the end of many counties like Cumberland, Westmorland. Lincolnshire was carved up.

  5. 1986 Reorganisation • LGA 1985 • Greater London Council swept away • Metropolitan County Councils swept away • Set up police authorities

  6. 1992 Reorganisation • 8 County Councils 37 District Councils were replaced 1 April 1996 • Created new Unitary Authorities (principal) - combined work of County and Borough • Some remained the same with no change • Others were hybrid • Designed to offer transparency

  7. Functions of Parish/Community • Lowest tier of local government • Set up under LGA 1894 to oversee social welfare and provide a collective voice • Parishes with more than 150 inhabitants can have their own PC • Set a budget – parish precept • Advisory role – planning matters

  8. Emergency ServicesPolice • 43 local forces in England and Wales • Cover a county, or some cover more than one • Police Authority comprised of a mixed membership of business, community and councillors • Role is to ensure their area has an effective force • Publish annual report • Have objectives • Appoint Chief Constable

  9. Police – Chief Constables • Deliver policies agreed by Police Authority • Produce annual report • Appoint all officer below Asst Chief Constable • Discipline officers for misconduct • Manage force’s budget • Hire and fire officers • Ensure enough personnel to patrol force’s area

  10. Semi-trained police • Special Constables (part-time volunteers) • Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) • PCSOs have enhanced powers • Neighbourhood wardens

  11. Police Complaints • Chief Constable investigates complaint • May appoint an officer to head inquiry from own force or another OR if complaint is too complex then passed to Police Authority • Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) handles serious allegations • If there is a case then referred to Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

  12. Fire & Rescue Authorities • Managed by a separate authority – in two tier government the County Council is the authority but in an unitary authority it is a combined fire authority • Combined Fire Authorities manage own budget while CC one is managed by CC committee • Answerable to SoS for Communities and Local Government

  13. Fire Service • Equip and train firefighting force • Deal with calls for help • Gather information about ‘at risk’ buildings • Advise on fire protection to the community • Make sure water companies maintain an adequate supply of water • Pool resources with neighbouring forces to deal with major fire • Humanitarian aid – floods, road accidents

  14. Emergency Planning • Civil Defence – council plan to protect community against attack or in an emergency • Emergency Planning Officer appointed for each authority to co-ordinate in the event of an attack • Regional Resilience Board – police, fire, council to oversee emergency plan for region • COBRA – national level – Cabinet Office Briefing Room A

  15. Local Govt Associations • Set up in 1997 to give a collective voice • Voluntary lobbying organisation • Represents local councils, fire authorities, police authorities, national parks, passenger transport authorities • 13 local government associations

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