ABSTRACT
The chapter explores the tensions that exist between local government as a political institution and a local authority as a body that manages and administers local services. It concentrates more closely on the political role of local government, because given the importance of public services it is easy to forget that councils are elected bodies with their own political and policy agenda. The chapter also concentrates on the politics of local government and the role councillors play as elected representatives. It also explores the development and structure of local government, and the relationships between local and central government and considers the Coalition Government's policies on localism and the new power of general competence given to councils. The chapter also considers the policy environment of local government; and examines the development of party politics at the local level. It analyses the introduction of directly elected mayors by the last Labour Government's and how Coalition Government has sought to increase the number of elected mayors.
