Your Council and You

Most of us pay our council tax without giving much thought to what our local authority provides in return. Different levels of authority within the local government structure provide a range of services, from the arts to zoo licensing.

Knowing which part of a local authority to approach can speed up any contact you have to have. Check your phone directory for direct line numbers for different departments, or look on the Internet for your local authority's Web site, which will also have news of issues in your area.

In this section, you'll find a guide to the areas of responsibility overseen by each level of government and the services that they provide. There's also an in-depth look at the council tax you'll have to pay each year to receive these services.