Constituencies (a.k.a. parliamentary constituencies): each electing one Member of Parliament (MP) every 5 years to the House of Commons (Parliament). There are 650 constituencies in the UK.
Wards (a.k.a. electoral
divisions or electoral wards) is the primary unit of English electoral
geography for borough and district councils, county councils or city councils. Each ward
elects either one or two councillors to be members of the local council. There were 9,456 electoral wards/divisions in the UK and each ward has
an average electorate of about 5,500 people, but ward population can vary
substantially.
Local council is
made up of a number of Councillors (Cllr) who meet regularly to make decisions about
the direction of the council and the work it does for the community. As elected
bodies local councils are responsible to their
local community. Attending a council meeting is the best way to find out what
they do and how they make decisions. Members of public can attend public council
meetings. Councillors are not paid jobs, though they receive an annual
allowance usually above £10k.
Officers are
employees of the council. They implement the policies agreed by Councillors, organise
and deliver services, and provide unbiased, professional advice and support to Councillors. Officers are managed by a number of Directors. Their head is
called Chief Executive or Head of Paid Service, who leads and takes
responsibility for the work of the paid staff of the council.
This booklet explains the relationships between Councillors (the council cabinet) and senior officers (council directors).
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