There are some things local governments have to do, such as clean the streets, and other things that they do if they want to or have enough money, like put on fireworks displays or promote the arts.
Local Government looks after the following:
Roads and Transport
Local councils look after 96% of roads in the country - that means trying to make sure traffic runs smoothly and safety. Councils have introduced cycle networks, and are responsible for more than one thousand Safe Routes to School Schemes to reduce school run congestion.
Education
Local government provides education for under fives, primary, secondary and adult education.
Housing
Local governments have a duty to make sure local people have somewhere to live if they are made homeless (though not if they are homeless on purpose, such as if a teenager leaves his or her parents' home voluntarily). Councils spend £12 billion a year on housing in England and Wales. People with low incomes are housed by the local council. Some houses belong to the council; others to private owners.
Waste Disposal/Street Cleaning
Households, industry and commerce produce 170-210m tonnes of waste/year in the United Kingdom. The amount of waste we produce is increasing. The government wants us to reduce the amount of rubbish we produce, reuse things rather than throw them away and recycle as much as possible.
What happens to your Rubbish?
Back to Main Basics Page
|
