The Local Government Key

Datasheets are currently being updated - latest counts and details can be seen at -
http://www.oscar-research.co.uk/localgovernment.html

22,903 Local Government Officers covering all

local authorities in the UK

Local Government - an overview

Local Government provides a wide range of local services, from Children's Services, Housing and Adult Services to Sport, Recreation, Highways and Transport, and a portfolio of regulatory services under Environmental Health and Trading Standards. It is also a major employer, often the largest within the area. To the outsider, used to the ways in which commercial organisations run their business, local authorities can appear somewhat complex and daunting. Decision-making in local government is spread over a number of departments. For example, the Housing Officer may see an advertisement for a product which he or she likes, mention it to the Architect, who then specifies it and passes the information on to the Direct Services Officer or Head of Procurement, who actually places the order. In small Authorities it is usually the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer who are responsible for allocating the budget.

How the data is organised

Job Function - in view of the variety of job titles among the Authorities, we categorise our addresses primarily by job function. This makes it easier to identify different responsibilities. The names and functions are confirmed for us by the local authorities themselves so you can be sure you will be contacting the right person. These functions also provide an excellent guide to the goods and services which are likely to be bought by local government.

Type of Authority - these are primarily (a) Unitary Councils - single local authorities providing all local services, in Scotland, Wales and many parts of England (London Boroughs and Metropolitan Districts are specific types of Unitary Council) , and (b) County & District Councils - a two-tier system in parts of England outside the major urban areas, with County Councils providing strategic services and Non-Metropolitan District Councils providing more local services.

Population served by the Authority - provides an indication of the size of the Authority and its spending power.

Numbers below are for the whole UK but you may also select addresses by Location or by postcode area at no extra cost.

The Councillors Key

The Councillors Key covers every County, Unitary and District Council in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Greater London Authority. Councillors are politicians elected to take policy decisions and are not usually involved in technical decisions or matters of detail. The most influential members of the Council are the Council and Group Leaders , Cabinet Members and/or the Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees responsible for overseeing the major functions of the Council.

Councils are usually controlled by the political group with the majority of councillors but some are in no overall control (NOC) of a single party. In these cases, two or more parties may share power (e.g. a Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition). A small number of councils are “non-political” and whilst individuals may identify themselves with political parties or call themselves “Independent”, there will be no official groups and committee chairs or cabinet posts will be shared. In these councils the Chairman of the Council will carry much influence. Otherwise the Chairman of the Council or the Mayor is more likely to perform more of a figurehead role, representing the Council on ceremonial occasions . A handful of councils are led by directly elected or “Executive” Mayors, whose role is to provide much more “hands-on” political direction to the council's work.

Contact Addresses - Councillors' home addresses and telephone numbers are normally provided, except where either the individual or the Local Authority has asked that all mail should be sent to an official address - this often happens with Council and Group Leaders and Cabinet members, who spend a lot of time at their town hall.

Type of Authority - Includes London Boroughs, Metropolitan Districts , County and District Councils in England, along with Unitary councils in England, Scotland and Wales. The term “ District ” is used to embrace District, Borough and City Councils, the latter being in effect “courtesy” titles. Parish and Town councils have very limited influence and spending power. We have a separate database of these.

Political Affiliation/Council Control - Each individual is categorised both by his or her political affiliation and that of the council on which he or she sits (so that it is possible to identify, for example, all Conservative councillors on Labour controlled councils).

Tenure in Office - retirement/re-election dates and date when first elected (if after 1993) are given. Retirement dates are subject to change following boundary commission reviews.

Cabinet Role/Committee Function - identifies either the Cabinet or Executive member or the Chairman of the committee responsible for a wide range of functions. If you would like full membership details for other committee functions, please call us.

Numbers below are for the whole UK, but addresses can be selected by location or by postcode at no extra cost.