Local government in Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For local government purposes, Wales is divided into 22 unitary authorities, which are responsible for the provision of all local government services, including education, social work, environment and roads services. Below these in some areas there are community councils, which cover specific areas within a council area. There are nine counties, five cities, and ten county boroughs, although all have equal powers. Collectively these are known as the principal areas of Wales. They came into being on April 1, 1996 by virtue of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (1994 c. 19).
The Queen appoints a Lord Lieutenant to represent her in the eight Preserved counties of Wales — which are combinations of council areas. However other subdivisions occur when dividing Wales into separate regions in the provisions of fire, and police services. For example there is a South Wales Police force, rather than the Glamorgan Police Force.
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[edit] Cities
There are five cities in total in Wales - in addition to the three unitary authorities with City status, the communities of Bangor and St David's also have the status. City status in the United Kingdom is determined by Letters patent.
(St. Asaph historically had city status. The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica refers to it as a city, but it is no longer considered as such. Applications for restoration of city status in the 2000 and 2002 competitions were unsuccessful).
[edit] Principal areas of Wales
Areas are Counties, unless marked * (for Cities) or † (for County Boroughs). Welsh language forms are given in parentheses, where they differ from the English.
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[edit] Name changes
The current names of certain principal areas are different from those specified in the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994. The following changes took place, all with effect from April 2, 1996 : [1]
- Conwy from Aberconwy and Colwyn
- Isle of Anglesey from Anglesey
- Gwynedd from Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire
- Ceredigion from Cardiganshire
- Neath Port Talbot from Neath and Port Talbot
[edit] Communities
The lowest level of subdivision below principal areas are Communities. Each Welsh principal area is subdivided into communities. They have elected community councils (CCs) which perform a number of roles, such as providing local facilities, and representing their communities to larger local government bodies. Community councils are the equivalent of English parish councils. A community council may call itself a 'town council' if it wishes to do so. Two Welsh communities Bangor and St David's have city status and are therefore called 'City Councils'. Communities which are too small to have a council have a community meeting instead, an example of direct democracy.
See also List of communities in Wales
[edit] Police and fire services
[edit] Police forces
There are four police forces in Wales. These are:
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[edit] Fire and rescue services
There are three fire and rescue services in Wales. The present Welsh fire services date from 1996. Each covers a number of principal areas. These are:
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[edit] History
[edit] See also
- List of Welsh principal areas by population
- List of Welsh principal areas by area
- List of Welsh principal areas by percentage Welsh language
- Welsh Assembly Government
- Geography of Wales
- List of communities in Wales
- LocalGov.co.uk - News updates on UK local government, including reorganisation
[edit] References
- CIA World Factbook 2002
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