A Quick Guide to Local Goverment Terminology for Health Professionals

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Edith Higgins
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1 A Quick Guide to Local Goverment Terminology for Health Professionals August 2011

2 Local Goverment Terminology for Health Professionals

3 This quick guide provides an a-z of local government terminology. Cabinet Member - an executive member appointed by the leader of the council (or by an elected mayor) who is responsible for a particular portfolio such as finance or children s services. County Councils - one of the five types of local authority in England, county councils cover the whole county and provide 80% of services in these areas, including children s services and adult social care. Directly Elected Mayor - a council leader elected by the general electorate of a council area. Elected mayors have powers similar to those of the executive committee in a leader and cabinet model of local government. District Councils - one of the five types of local authorities in England, district councils cover a smaller area and provide more local services such as housing, local planning, waste and leisure. (They do not cover children s services or adult social care). They can be called district, borough or city councils. Fire and Rescue Authorities - cover every part of the UK. There are three types, each with a relationship with the local authority: county fire authorities - effectively departments of the county council; combined fire authorities and fire and civil defence authorities - constitutionally separate authorities covering more than one local area; London fire and emergency planning authority linked to Greater London Authority (GLA). Page 2

Local Goverment Terminology for Health Professionals Leader - elected by the majority of the council, the leader of the council is responsible for setting the vision and direction of the authority.

4 Local Goverment Terminology for Health Professionals Leader - elected by the majority of the council, the leader of the council is responsible for setting the vision and direction of the authority. London Borough - one of the five types of local authority in England, each London borough is a unitary authority. Responsibility for police, fire, strategic planning and transport is however provided by the Greater London Authority (GLA). Mayor - the position of mayor in most authorities is purely ceremonial, usually held by a senior councillor for a year to represent the council at civic and council events. Metropolitan Districts - one of the five types of local authority in England, metropolitan districts are effectively unitary authorities (the name is a relic from past organisational arrangements). Somewhat confusingly, they can be called metropolitan borough or city councils. Page 3

Neighbourhood Assemblies, Community Forums and Area Committees - local arrangements for devolving decision-making to neighbourhoods and smaller areas.

5 Neighbourhood Assemblies, Community Forums and Area Committees - local arrangements for devolving decision-making to neighbourhoods and smaller areas. They provide the opportunity for citizens to have greater involvement in local decision-making. Overview and Scrutiny Committees - the principle means by which decisions made by the council are held to account. Overview and scrutiny committees also provide a vital means of ensuring that all councillors can take part in the development of council policy. Parish and Town Councils - the third tier of local government which covers part of England. Parish and town councils are responsible for small areas known as civil parishes. They have limited powers, such as the responsibility for maintaining burial grounds and public baths for example. Unitary Authorities - one of the five types of local authority in England, unitary authorities are responsible for all local services. They can be called a council, a city council or a borough council. Page 4

Local Goverment Terminology for Health Professionals Useful Links Local Government Association: www.lga.gov.

6 Local Goverment Terminology for Health Professionals Useful Links Local Government Association: Local Government Improvement and Development (formerly IDeA): Improvement and innovation in local government: Local Government Information Unit: Local Government Leadership: National Association of Local Councils: Page 5

8 Talk to us For general enquiries about this Quick Guide or for more information on North West Employers : Tom Goodwin E: tomg@nwemployers.org.uk T: For more information on the work going on in Central Lancashire : Gulab Singh Assistant Director Healthy Communities & Preston Healthy City Coordinator, NHS Central Lancashire E: Gulab.singh@centrallancashire.nhs.uk T: Talk to each other Register and start using the regions new virtual communication platform North West Connex - Guides in this series: A Councillors Role in Public Health Health Terminology Workplace Health Local Goverment Terminology Health Inequalities Health Literacy Health Reform

LGIU Local Government Information Unit

Page 1 of 5 LGIU Local Government Information Unit Independent Intelligent Information A wider conversation: Effective scrutiny of Local Strategic Partnerships (LGIUandSTEER) 7/3/2007 Author: Jo Dungey