Website of the UK government

County and district councils

In most of England, there are two levels: a county council and a district council. These parts of the country are known as shire areas.

County councils cover large areas and provide most of the public services, including education, social services, public transport and libraries. They are divided into several districts.

District councils cover smaller areas and provide more local services, like council housing, leisure facilities, local planning and waste collection. District councils with borough or city status are called Borough Council or City Council instead of District Council, but this doesn't change their role.

Unitary authorities

In the larger towns and cities of England, and in some small counties, there is just one level called a unitary authority or a metropolitan district council. They are responsible for all local services. Some towns also have their own directly elected mayor.

In London, each borough is a unitary authority, but the Greater London Authority (the Mayor and Assembly) provides London-wide government with responsibility for certain services like transport and police.

In Scotland and Wales, there is a unitary system with one level of local government. In Northern Ireland, there are local councils, but most services are carried out by other organisations.

Unitary authorities may be called Borough Council, City Council, County Council, District Council, or just Council.

Town and parish councils

In some parts of England there are also town and parish councils, covering a smaller area. In Wales, they are called community councils.

They're responsible for services like allotments, public toilets, parks and ponds, war memorials, and local halls and community centres. They are sometimes described as the third tier of local government.

In Scotland there are community councils with fewer powers. There is no equivalent in Northern Ireland.

Joint services

Some local authorities share services covering a wider area, like police, fire services and public transport. This may be done to avoid splitting up services when council structures are changed, or because some councils are too small to run an effective service on their own.

Every part of the UK is covered by a local authority fire and rescue service. Each of the 59 fire authorities must by law provide a firefighting service and must maintain a brigade to meet all normal requirements. Each fire authority appoints a Chief Fire Officer, or Firemaster in Scotland, who has day-to-day control of operations.

• The UK Fire and Rescue Service (home and community section)

Local government workers

More than two million people are employed by local authorities. These include school teachers, social services, the police, firefighters and many other office and manual workers. Education is the largest locally provided service.

If you're interested in working in local government services, you can find out about jobs at your local council and neighbouring councils using the link below.

• Apply for a job at your local council Opens new window
• Public sector jobs (employment section)

Find your local council

You can find out more about your local authorities, and the services they provide, from their websites.

• Find your local council (directories section)
• A-Z of Local Directgov services (do it online section)