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What is the council for? Many people would say "they collect the bins" or "they look after the streets" (or crack a witticism). But councils do a lot more than most realise.
Read this thread for a short history of councils, what they're for & what they actually do #CouncilsCan
Read this thread for a short history of councils, what they're for & what they actually do #CouncilsCan
700-1066 AD. Anglo-Saxon England had a complex system of local government, with a hierarchy of courts in shires and boroughs. Each shire was under the authority of an earl. The courts dealt with legal cases and disputes, collected taxes & more.
(Image does not show ChelmsCouncil)
(Image does not show ChelmsCouncil)
Formal local government didn't exist as we know it until 1888. The Local Government Act created 66 county councils, plus London. They were run by elected councillors, with officers to help them carry out tasks as they decided. The aim was to let local people make local decisions.
The county councils were given things to look after for their areas: like roads, bridges and county buildings; setting rates; appointing officers; and organising parliamentary elections. It's got a lot more complicated since then!
In 1894, elected parish councils were added in to look after rural areas. Urban and rural district councils were also added (like us)
Over the years, more and more types of councils popped up as the system evolved. By the 1970s, it had got really complicated. There were rural districts, urban districts, county boroughs, municipal boroughs...
Reforms were brought in during the late 20th century to simplify things. There are now 3 'tiers' of local government:
County (like @Essex_CC)
District (like @ChelmsCouncil)
Parishes and towns
In some areas, districts and counties have combined to make 'unitary authorities'.
County (like @Essex_CC)
District (like @ChelmsCouncil)
Parishes and towns
In some areas, districts and counties have combined to make 'unitary authorities'.
The county and district councils do different things. Some jobs, like looking after roads and streetlights, are done at a countywide level. Others, like collecting bins and helping people who are at risk of becoming homeless, are done by the city council.
Essex County Council's jobs include...
Social care
Adoption & fostering
Schools & learning
Registry office
Libraries
Roads
Transport
Recycling centres ('tips)
Trading standards
Essex Record Office
Essex Country Parks
Lead authority on flooding
Planning relating to minerals&waste
Social care
Adoption & fostering
Schools & learning
Registry office
Libraries
Roads
Transport
Recycling centres ('tips)
Trading standards
Essex Record Office
Essex Country Parks
Lead authority on flooding
Planning relating to minerals&waste
Chelmsford City Council's jobs include...
Bins & recycling collection
Benefits
Business support
Cemetery & Crematorium
Public health
Nuisance & noise
Community safety
Housing
Leisure, theatres & museums
Licensing
Parks
Parking
Planning & building control
Elections
Environment
Bins & recycling collection
Benefits
Business support
Cemetery & Crematorium
Public health
Nuisance & noise
Community safety
Housing
Leisure, theatres & museums
Licensing
Parks
Parking
Planning & building control
Elections
Environment
Local authorities aren't funded completely by the state. In fact, in many cases that's just a small part of their income.
In Chelmsford, 72% of your council tax goes to Essex County Council. 11% goes to us. 2% to parish councils and the rest goes to the police & fire services.
In Chelmsford, 72% of your council tax goes to Essex County Council. 11% goes to us. 2% to parish councils and the rest goes to the police & fire services.
A lot of councils' funding these days comes from income like leisure centres, parking, events, theatres and so on. Without these, we wouldn't be able to provide essential services. (Here's a video from earlier this year with more info on funding - )
People are sometimes confused about who to contact when they need to speak to their council. If you want to use a council service, the best thing to do is to go to the Council website and contact officers: http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk
If you would like something to change - maybe you have an idea or a suggestion for doing things differently - then the best thing to do is to speak to your City or County Councillor. They make political decisions and represent you. You can find them here: https://www.writetothem.com/
If you have a question or would like to tell us something, you can also tweet us here. This account is run by some officers of the Council (alongside other jobs). We aren't allowed to get involved in political discussions, but we are happy to help if you need info or assistance.
