Year 11 - Citizenship
What are local councils and what do they do?
Where does power reside in the UK?
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils look at the role of local and national government and identify reserved and devolved powers in the UK.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the key services a local council provides and how these are funded.
Key Notes
- Local councils provide many services including education, healthcare, transport, housing and waste management.
- Local councils are given a budget through government funding, council tax and business rates.
- Local councils have the power to make decisions on planning, local laws and public services.
- Community members can get their voice heard by voting in elections or attending council meetings.
Vocabulary To Learn
- local council: a system of government that operates at local level providing services to its community
- council tax: a local, direct tax calculated on the basis of the value of a property and the number of people living there
- grants: a sum of money gifted by an organisation or person that does not need to be repaid
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Local councils have full control of their spending so can make all decisions themselves.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Local councils provide many services including education, healthcare, transport, housing and waste management. Local councils are given a budget through government funding, council tax and business rates.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'local council'
a system of government that operates at local level providing services to its community.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Local councils have full control of their spending so can make all decisions themselves. Correction: Part of their funding comes from national government so they sometimes have to priorities government led initiatives over local need.
More Lessons In This Unit
- How do elections in the UK work? Study Guide
- How does devolved government operate in the UK? Study Guide
- How is local democracy different to national government? Study Guide
- How is local government structured? Study Guide
- What roles do NGOs, charities and civil society play in local communities? Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Citizenship guide library.