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County and district councils

In most of the country there are two tiers of local government: county councils and district councils. Larger towns and cities have just one council providing all the functions of the two. 

Parish and town councils

In addition, all of the country, except larger town and cities, have parish or town councils. These are also elected and can help on a number of local issues. Many town and parish councils also run local services such as sports grounds and community halls.

Council decision making

Every council must publish a 'forward work plan' listing when key decisions will be taken. They also publish meeting papers at least five working days beforehand. The minutes of the meeting summarising decisions made must also be published. You can attend most meetings of the council, although usually you will not be able to speak at them.

While the full council (a meeting of all members of the council) is theoretically responsible for all the decisions made -  in practice most of the work is delegated to smaller groups of councillors or council officers (paid employees).

Councils have different ways of making decisions. Since 2000 most councils in England have had a small executive group that is responsible for the overall business of the council. Its decisions are subject to scrutiny by a different group of councillors meeting in overview and scrutiny panels.

Most smaller councils have a committee structure dealing with separate aspects of the council's business, rather than having executive and scrutiny panels.

The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Find out about local council meetings Opens new window
• Search council minutes, agendas and reports Opens new window

Mayors and ceremonial duties

A few councils have elected mayors who take greater responsibility for decision making. Councils without elected mayors will also have a mayor or chairman of the council to undertake civic ceremonial duties.

Getting involved with your local council

As well as being able to attend some council meetings and having access to meeting papers and notes, you can also contact your local councillor about relevant issues.

A councillor is elected by the local community and is there to represent its views, so remember to use your vote at the local elections. Your council website will have a list of councillors' names and contact addresses.

You might also consider becoming a local councillor or working for your local council. You can contact your local council for more details.

• Find out about your local councillors Opens new window

Your local councillor

If you want to voice any issues with your local councillor, you can contact them via your local authority or attend a councillor advice surgery. Advice surgeries are available to everyone seeking information and advice, to make a complaint or enquire about local authority services.

The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Find out about councillor advice surgeries Opens new window

All local councillors abide by a code of conduct, part of which requires them to declare any interests, gifts or hospitality which they receive which could influence any decisions making. Your local authority are required to publish these declarations and you can usually access this information via the authorities website or at the town hall.

The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Find out about councillors' declaration of interest Opens new window