About the council

Top Tasks

• Your councillors - who they are, what they do and how to contact them
• What is the political structure of the council (election results from 5 May 2011)
• Who are the elected cabinet members of the council and what are their responsibilities?
• Council officers - who are they and what do they do?
• View the council's constitution
• View the council's corporate plan

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What does Lancaster City Council do?

Local government in the Lancaster district is made up of three tiers:

• Lancashire County Council
• Lancaster City Council
• Parish (and Town) Councils

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.

The council's responsibilities include:

• 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

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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, including looking after community buildings, open spaces, allotments, play areas, street lighting and bus shelters.

Public health and wellbeing services are provided by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Policing is provided by Lancashire Constabulary.

Fire and rescue services, including free home safety visits, are provided by Lancashire Fire and Rescue.

For other local councils see our neighbouring councils page.

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