Local governments may take one of a number of different forms (such as a county council, a borough council, a city council or a unitary council), depending on exactly where you live in the country. However, they all perform very similar functions. So, for the sake of this article, it doesn’t really matter whether you live in a large city in the North, a market town in the Midlands or a small hamlet in the South West: the answer to the question “What is local government?” will be much the same. Read on to find out what your local government is all about and discover why it might be a good idea to take a closer interest in their regular activities.

What Is Local Government and What Does It Do That Is So Important?

Whether your local government is a county council, metropolitan borough or some other flavour of local authority, it will be responsible for all of the following key services in your part of the country:

• Education – Local councils and city boroughs are responsible for the creation, implementation and enforcement of local educational policies. As such they have a vital role to play in the management of local schools, tertiary colleges and universities.
• Social Care – Your local government is responsible for the organisation of social services and assistance to those in need. This includes services to help the elderly, the infirm and the young, as well as any other potentially vulnerable groups. A well-run local council will identify the community’s most pressing needs and allocate their social welfare budget accordingly.
• Government Housing – Council housing, along with hostels that cater to various different demographics, are managed by your local government. It is responsible for determining what the demand for government housing in the area is and for satisfying that need (as far as is possible with the available funds).
• Local Planning – When many people ask “What is local government and what do they do?” they are primarily interested in the role their local authority plays as far as local planning decisions are concerned. Depending on the type of area in which you live, your local government may be responsible for town planning, affordable housing planning and various other types of planning.
• Waste Collection – All waste collection services are managed by the local government in your area, be that a city council, town council or any other type of local authority. In addition to ensuring the efficient collection of domestic and commercial waste, they manage all local tips in the area under their control.
• Pest Control – Local governments are responsible for pest control in public buildings and spaces. They also have the power to compel local residents and commercial organisations to deal with infestations in a timely manner.

In short, your local authority has many vital roles to play in your community, which is why you should take an active interest in who is elected to the local council and whether they deliver on their election promises or not.

Apply Now at Triumph Consultants Ltd

If you are interested in working for local government, contact the team at Triumph Consultants Ltd. We have plenty of experience placing contract, interim, specialist and permanent personnel into rewarding council job positions throughout the UK.