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How local councils work in England - types of council, decision-making, council finances, local councillors and making complaints

• Types of council

  This guide relates to councils in England. Find information about councils…

• Decision making

  The full council (a meeting of all council members) is responsible for all…

• Spending and accounts

  Many local councils provide information on their websites to show how they…

• Local councillors and elections

  Local councillors are elected for 4-year terms by the local community to…

• Make a complaint

  If you feel that a council service has not been properly delivered, you…

Information on the different types of council and their electoral arrangements.

• Updated: 1 April 2023

Find and access local services

• Updated: 31 July 2023

Guidance for local authorities in England who are considering adopting a 4-day working week.

• Updated: 26 October 2023

ELLA is the Evidence and Lessons from Latin America Programme

• Updated: 1 January 2012

The Office for Local Government (Oflog) will help make local government even better. We will increase understanding about the performance of local authorities, warn when authorities are at risk of serious failure, and support local government to improve itself. Oflog...

• Updated: 31 July 2024

This collection brings together information for local councils on climate change and the environment.

• Updated: 22 February 2022

Lyons Inquiry into Local Government explored the future role, function and funding of local government - Place-shaping: a shared ambition for the future of local government.

• Updated: 15 April 2021

Guidance to help local councils adapt to new rules now that the UK has left the EU and the transition period has ended.

• Updated: 12 September 2023

All local government finance forms to be completed by local authorities for use in Official and National Statistics, along with accompanying guidance notes.

• Updated: 7 February 2023