Local government: councils and councillors

Bins, libraries, parks and potholes: many services you use every day are run by your local council.

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What councils do

Local councils (local authorities) run many local services.
ServiceExamples
EducationPlanning school places, support for pupils with special needs
EnvironmentBin collections, recycling, parks
TransportMost local roads, street lights
CareSocial care for older and disabled people, children's services
CommunityLibraries, leisure centres, planning permission for buildings

Councillors

Councils are run by elected councillors. Each represents an area called a ward.
Councillors are usually elected for four years. Some councils elect all their councillors at once; others elect a half or a third of them at a time.
Councillors make decisions, listen to residents and help with local problems. Many councillors also have other jobs. Some areas also have an elected mayor.

How councils are paid for

Councils get money from:
council tax, paid by households based on the value of their home;
business rates, paid by businesses;
grants from central government;
and fees and charges, such as parking.
Councils must balance their budgets, so they often face hard choices about which services to fund.
Worked example

The streetlight outside your house is broken. Who should you contact, and why?

  1. Street lights on most local roads are a council service.
  2. So the council is responsible for fixing them.
  3. You could report it to the council, or contact your local councillor if it is not fixed.

Answer: Your local council (or your ward councillor), because it runs street lighting on local roads.

Key idea

Local councils run services such as bins, libraries, local roads and social care. They are led by elected councillors, each representing a ward. Councils are funded by council tax, business rates, government grants and charges.

Key words
Ward
The area a local councillor represents.
Council tax
A tax paid by households to their local council, based on the value of their home.

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Common mistakes
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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. Who is elected to represent a ward on the local council?

    1. An MP
    2. A councillor
    3. A judge
    4. A police officer
    Show the answer

    Answer: A councillor

    Councillors represent wards on local councils.

  2. What is the area that an MP represents called?

    1. A ward
    2. A parish
    3. A constituency
    4. A county court
    Show the answer

    Answer: A constituency

    An MP represents a constituency. A councillor represents a ward.

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Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 16 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.