UK Local Government: Main cultural responsibilities only

Non-Metropolitan England (ie. counties outside the seven English Metropolitan regions: Greater London, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, West Yorkshire)

County Councils

Up to 1995 county councils were the principal level of local government, responsible for most major local authorities services, such as education, social services, police, fire and public protection, and libraries in England and Wales, outside London and the six other major English conurbations listed above. On 1 April 1996 all Welsh county councils were abolished, along with those of Avon, Cleveland, Humberside and the Isle of Wight in England due to the phased progress of the current local government reorganisation, and the future of some other English county councils is in doubt, while others are to lose significant areas of their territory: see the note on Unitary Authorities below.

Archive Service (Compulsory)
Museum, Arts and Entertainment Services (Optional) eg. Hampshire County Council Museums Service and Arts Service
Strategic planning and development control (Compulsory)
Archaeological Service (Optional)
Preservation and management of historic monuments owned by the authority itself
Primary and secondary education (Compulsory; though the provision of, or grant-aid to, museum education services is optional)
Countryside and tourism development and support(Optional)

"Shire" Districts (Boroughs and Cities)

In the non-metropolitan English and Welsh counties the district councils (many of which have been granted the honorary title of 'borough', while a few have been granted the title of 'city') have relatively limited compulsory powers - mainly local planning control, public health and housing (though at the practical level housing powers have been greatly reduced in recent years.

Museum, Arts and Entertainment Services (Optional)
Local planning and development control (Compulsory)
Archaeological Service (Optional)
Preservation and management of historic monuments owned by the authority itself
Tourism development (Optional)

"Unitary" Authorities

Under a phased review of local government across the non-metropolitan counties of England a third option was introduced in many places: the "unitary" council, which exercises either solely or (in a few cases) jointly with neighbouring authorities) the functions, powers and responsibilities of both a County Council and a District Council as detailed in the above notes. In such cases one or more new unitary authorities was established within the boundaries of the shire counties, and in several (e.g. Avon, Buckinghamshire, Hereford & Worcester) the whole of the county has been divided up between new unitary councils and the County Council has been abolished, though in such cases the shire counties continue to exist for as geographical areas and for ceremonial purposes (particularly the Sovereign's personal representation in the county through the Lord-Lieutenancy)

London and Metropolitan Boroughs in England
(ie. in the former counties of Greater London, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and West Yorkshire)

Archive Service (Compulsory)
Museum, Arts, and Entertainment Services (Optional)
Planning and development control, both strategic and local (Compulsory)
Archaeological Service (Optional)
Preservation and management of historic monuments owned by the authority itself
Public Education (Compulsory; provision of or grant-aid to museum education services - optional)
Tourism development (Optional)

Scotland and Wales

The previous systems of local government in Scotland and Wales were completely replaced in 1996 on the basis of "unitary"councils - though the present-day title may vary according to historical tradition. (The titles District Council, Island Council, Burgh, Royal Burgh and City are all in use in Scotland, and District Council, Borough and City are used in Wales, though the powers of each council are the same, regardless of their title.)

The powers of Scottish and Welsh Councils relevant to the cultural sector include:

Library Service (compulsory)
Archive Service (Compulsory)
Museums, Arts and Entertainment Services (optional)
Strategic and local planning and development control (Compulsory)
Archaeological Service (Optional)
Preservation and management of historic monuments owned by the authority itself
Public Education (Compulsory; provision of or grant-aid to museum education services - optional)
Tourism development (Optional)

Northern Ireland

Following the long period of Direct Rule many major local government functions, such as education and libraries, are currently still run by Area Boards.

The District Councils have the power to establish and manage museums, arts and leisure services.

© 2007. City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom. Last updated by Patrick Boylan 11th November 2007