Wielka Brytania

Abstract

The article presents the traditions of British local government, starting from the Anglo- Saxon period. Special attention is paid to the nineteenth century reforms: establishment of ad hoc boards and elected councils in boroughs, counties and districts. Proceedings of local government commissions of 1960s are analyzed, as well as main settlements of the 1972 Local Government Act. Political and legal conditions of local administration activities are described, among them the basics of British constitutional system – omnipotence of the Parliament, the Westminster model of government and the two-party system. The nature of ultra vires doctrine is explained; a variety of legal regulations referring to local government are presented. Changes in local government structure in the fall of the 20th century are characterized, as well as recent modifications in a number of local authorities. Tasks and competencies of local administration are categorized and named. Considerable changes in their scope and nature took place in the 1980s, during the Conservative government. The roots of Prime Minister M. Thatcher’s politics towards local authorities, their functions and finances are explained, as well as elements of continuity and change in the politics of the New Labour. The sources of local finances are enumerated. The transformation from domestic rate through community charge to council tax is clarified. Financial control of Audit Commission is also mentioned. Principles of local elections and reasons of low turn-out are explained. The committee system of local councils is described, as well as the reforms undertaken by the Labour government. Principles of the Local Government Act from 2000 are presented, as well as their adoption among local authorities. A picture of Greater London Authorities is given. In the conclusion, a question of devolution and its results on the local government is mentioned.