Learn more

Your local council is responsible for providing, implementing and maintaining a number of key services in local life, from education and housing to local planning. Your council or your councillor should be your first point of contact, if you wish to find out more details about a service, influence council decisions or complain about services.

My council FAQ

Check the answers below to some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQ)

• I want to complain about a council service. What do I do?
• What is the single tier system of local government?
• What is the two tier system of local government?
• What services is my council responsible for?

I want to complain about a council service. What do I do?

Firstly, contact the council using the numbers we provide. The council employees run the council on a day to day basis and will be able to deal with your enquiry. If you’re unhappy with the service you receive or if the issue is not resolved, you can contact your councillors

What is the single tier system of local government?

The single-tier system operates in Scotland, Wales and parts of England. It means that one council has responsibility for all local authority services. Examples include unitary councils, such as York City Council, metropolitan councils, such as Birmingham City Council, and London boroughs, such as the London Borough of Southwark.

What is the two tier system of local government?

Certain areas of England have a two-tier system with responsibilities divided between county and district councils. There are 34 county councils, such as Northamptonshire County Council and under each County council will be a number of district or borough councils, such as East Northamptonshire council.

What services is my council responsible for?

Here is a guide to the main areas of responsibility for each type of council. Please note this is not a definitive list and you should contact your council for more details.

• Unitary councils
• Social services
• Education
• Housing
• Planning applications and development
• Roads
• Waste collection
• County councils
• Social services
• Education
• Highways
• District councils
• Housing
• Planning applications and development
• Waste collection
• Council tax

If you’ve any comments or require further information on your council, please contact us.

Back to top