Local Authorities

Some, for example education, must be made available under UK law; others are provided at the discretion of individual authorities. A typical list of local authority services would include:

• trading standards
• libraries, leisure and tourism
• environmental health, refuse and recycling
• transport and highways
• housing
• social work.

While the history of local government in Wales stretches back at least to the 16th Century, the existing 22 Welsh unitary authorities date from 1996. These are not divided into county and district councils, as in much of England. On a more local level, Wales’ community and town councils provide services in their immediate areas.

All local authorities are democratically accountable through elections every four years.  Local authorities have a cabinet-style executive with the dominant political group making decisions under the scrutiny of the Council as a whole. They have extensive staff structures headed by a chief executive, who works with other senior officers on day-to-day business and decision-making.

Local authority funding and policy

Welsh local authorities spend around £4 billion a year on their services. The sums making up this total vary considerably between larger authorities such as Cardiff and smaller ones like Anglesey. The Welsh Assembly Government supplies 80% of local authority funding, council tax the remaining 20%.

The Assembly Government sets the broad policy agenda for local authorities in Wales, but avoids using its powers to control how they operate. Our work with local authorities is firmly on the basis of partnership. Local authorities also work in close partnership with other bodies, such as the NHS and the police.

All unitary authorities in Wales are members of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). The WLGA represents their views and interests and advises and supports individual authorities. The Welsh Assembly Government funds some WLGA projects, such as its work on equality and service improvement.

From here, you can access information on local authority funding and on the 22 unitary authorities in Wales.

Working in Partnership provides information about the working relationship between the Assembly Government and local authorities.

Welsh Local Government Association (External website) provides information on the WLGA.