local authorities

European Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions (COR) is the European Union’s assembly for representatives of regional and local authorities across the EU member states. It advises on new EU legislation concerning cities and regions. The COR website provides details of plenary sessions, a list of current members, a collection of studies published from 1999 onwards, information about current and closed consultations. There is also a link to the COR’s Electronic Document Register (under Engage – Resources – Access to Documents).

Communities and Local Government

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was created in 2006 from the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). Its website has sections for the following areas of departmental responsibility: housing; local government; communties and neighbourhoods; fire and emergencies; regeneration and economic growth; planning, building and the environment. Documents available on the site include consultation papers, research papers, reports, legislation, statistics and press releases.

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

The Local Government Ombudsman investigates complaints of injustice and misadministration by local authorities and all adult social care providers (including care homes and home care agencies) in England. It includes such areas as housing, education, consumer services, social services and council tax. Its website describes the role of the ombudsman and provides information for the public on how to file a complaint. Annual reports from 1995/96 onwards are available along with a digest of cases considered.

Sénat: Liens

The Links ('Liens') page on the website of the French Senate offers links to French legislation, the courts of France and jurisprudence, French local authorities, European law, political parties represented in the Senate, and international institutions. Among the legislation links are the full-text of the Constitution, the Journal Officiel and the consolidated texts of major legislation. The courts links include the Cour de Cassation, le Conseil d'Etat and the Cour des Comptes.

New Zealand Government

Website of the New Zealand Government portal which provides access to government and local government information and services. Links to government agencies and services are arranged alphabetically and by a range of subject headings which include business, education, employment, farming, housing, law, social welfare, sport and taxation. These subject headings provide links to documents, forms, legislation and statistics made available on different government websites.

Bar Association for Local Government and the Public Service

Website of the Bar Association for Local Government and the Public Service (BALGPS) a membership organisation for barristers employed in local government and the public sector. The site has information about the Association including details of the Executive Committee and BALGPS newsletters which are produced on an occasional basis. There is advice on the work available for barristers looking for a career in local government and articles and briefing notes written by the Chairman of BALGPS. The site includes a page of related web links.

Valuation Tribunal Service

Website of the Valuation Tribunal Service (VTS). There are 56 Valuation Tribunals in England and 4 in Wales whose role is to hear appeals relating to Non-Domestic Rates and Council Tax. The website includes full text decisions and appeals listed for hearing back to October 1999. Decisions can be searched by appeal number, postcode or using a free text search option. Guidance documents give advice on making an appeal along with a selection of FAQs. Newsletters focusing on changes in the valuation law are aimed at staff within the tribunal service and can be viewed on the site.

Direction Générale des Collectivités Locales

The Direction Générale des Collectivités Locales is the French general directorate of local authorities. It defines the rules for the operation and organisation of local authorities in France, distributes state funds to local authorities, and collects and disseminates local authority financial and statistical data. Its website offers a number of official documents relevant to local administration. The DGCL aims and objectives are available and an organisational chart. The site publishes maps and tables of statistical and financial data.

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