Local Authorities And Their Responsibilities

The local administrative apparatus plays a significant role in the governance of the country at the micro level. In United Kingdom the system is functioning effectively for many centuries. Each city, borough, municipality and at county level such administrative setups are established which are having constitutional authority to govern the areas under their jurisdiction. As a unitary state the central government controls the administration of the country. But the local self-government or local authorities administer the various parts of the country from close proximity of the people. The local administrators are elected by the people of the respective localities under the provisions of the constitution. These local authorities are responsible for the day-to-day administrative of the areas and to render service to the tax payers. All emergency services like Police, Fire Service, Paramedical services, public water and sewerage systems, local environmental health and garbage disposal are some of the portfolios handled by the local administrative machinery.

The local administrative machinery will be the planning authority for the development of the area under its jurisdiction. Maintenance of the local highways and public transportation are also the responsibility of the local self-government. Apart from the above mentioned subjects many records pertaining to the citizens are to be maintained by the authorities. Details of birth, death and marriages occurring in the areas are to be collected. It is obligatory for the citizens to register such events with the local authorities. Certificates issued by them are the only valid documents for future use or reference. Failure to register such events is considered as an offence on the part of the citizens for which they can be penalized. Further the citizens have to face hardships when they seek any assistance from the government on the basis of their inherent rights as a citizen, in the absence of such certificates. Insurance or pension benefits, school admissions for children, age proof of individuals are some of other requirements for which certificates are required. Registrations of properties or business also come under the jurisdiction of the local authority. Public burial sites, cemeteries, public parks and other public places are maintained and managed by the local administration.

These administrative bodies collect taxes to finance various programmes or services they offer to the society. They have the authority to fix rates of taxes, fees or charges for the services they are rendering to the people. All the actions of the local administration are subjected to the scrutiny of the central government as well as the judiciary. The local administration has to bear the expenses of maintaining the institutional structures. Payment of salaries and other benefits to the employees are also their responsibility. They have to administer the local government pension scheme which is considered as the largest public sector pension fund in UK.