Council and Democracy
Local government in the Lancaster district is made up of three tiers:
The council submitted a bid for unitary local government status in January 2007, but this was turned down by the Secretary Of State in March 2007.
What does Lancaster City Council do?
Lancaster City Council is responsible for making many important decisions on behalf of local people. Strategic decisions, budget setting and performance monitoring are the responsibility of the elected councillors.
Councillors are elected to represent divisions of the borough called wards:
The council is responsible, amongst other things, for:
- Local planning and development control
- Street cleaning, domestic waste removal (bins)
- Administering council tax and housing benefit locally
- Providing council housing and generally promoting good quality housing provision
- Environmental health and safety
- Parking enforcement
- Licensing
- Promoting economic development and tourism in the area
- Providing parks and leisure facilities
What do our partner agencies do?
Lancashire County Council is responsible for primary and secondary education, libraries, museums, highways and social services in the Lancaster district.
Parish Councils have a wide range of powers essentially relating to local matters, such as looking after community buildings, open spaces, allotments, play areas, street lighting, bus shelters, etc.
Public health care services, including doctors, dentists and opticians, are provided by North Lancashire Primary Care Trust.
Policing is provided by Lancashire Constabulary (Northern Division). Northern Division polices both the Lancaster and Wyre districts.
Fire and rescue services, including free home safety visits, are provided by Lancashire Fire and Rescue.