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Available to LG Inform Plus subscribers, it provides information on what current legislation gives English and Welsh councils the power to do and what it requires them to do in law. Advanced searching and filtering options make it easy to find specific powers and duties based on legislation, business function and keyword, and results are easily exported in commonly used formats.
Internal services list
Corporate - assets (1662) Service
Assets owned by the council for which records are maintained from acquisition until disposal.
Corporate - audit and inspection (1621) Service
Is this still carried out now that the Audit Commission no longer exists?
Corporate - business planning and strategy (1622) Service
Production of a corporate business plan which defines the overall framework within which the organisation works to achieve the corporate objectives.
Corporate - business process improvement (1151) Service
Business Process Improvement (BPI) is the discipline of improving council services using techniques such as Business Process Mapping (BPM) and Activity Based Costing (ABC).
Corporate - communications (1640) Service
Communications with staff, public and other organisations to publicise corporate policy, procedures and marketing
Corporate - education (1667) Service
Management and organisation of education services between the education authority and schools/colleges
Corporate - equalities and diversity (1623) Service
In a context of 'lighter touch' regulation and inspection, as set out in the public sector Equality Duty, using the EFLG allows Local authorities to use Self-assessment templates to move through the 3 levels of performance: Developing, Achieving, Excellent.
Corporate - health and safety (1624) Service
A Health and Safety Service Plan dedicated to the health and safety enforcement function. It covers all elements of safety relating to premises and functions falling within a local authority remit for health and safety enforcement.
Corporate - Information management (990) Service
Strategic development and implementation of ICT and information management systems for use by council staff.
Corporate - insurance (1657) Service
Administration of insurance policies taken out by the council to cover all risks to property or individuals both internally and public facing
Corporate - meeting governance (1784) Service
Organisation of meetings including attendance, scheduling, religious observance and recording of proceedings
Corporate - organisation structure (1626) Service
The structure and naming of the organisation including the name by which the organisation and each working area within the organisation is known and the job roles associated with each working area.
Corporate - partnership working (1627) Service
Agreement to work jointly with another authority or with other public, voluntary or private organisations.
Corporate - policies and procedures (1664) Service
Development, maintenance and implementation of corporate policies and procedures
Corporate - procurement (1629) Service
Procurement of resources, assets and facilities for council business and services. Administration of the procurement process and associated contracts.
Corporate - project management (1628) Service
Details of how projects are organised, skilled, prioritised and funded within a council
Corporate - records management (1305) Service
The practice of maintaining the records of an organisation from the time they are created up to their eventual disposal.
Corporate - reporting (1630) Service
The council's approach to reporting performance and where relevant publishing reports.
Corporate - research (1668) Service
Research carried out by or on behalf of the organisation
Corporate - resource planning (1631) Service
From 2013, local councils are able to decide how most of their grants from central government should be spent in their area. This Plan sets out the strategy for a local authority.
Corporate - retention schedules (996) Service
Development of policies and procedures for the retention of documents or records and their disposal
Corporate - service management (1632) Service
Management of internal procedures and facilities involved in the delivery of services
Corporate - workforce plan (1625) Service
A Workforce Plan sets out future requirements and policies in order to deliver what public sector services are essential to Local Authority customers, what delivery structures are most appropriate, what skills, behaviours, attitudes and performance is needed from employees and how recruitment should be handled to devlop the workforce it requires
Facilities - accessible buildings (952) Service
Design or adaptations intended to ensure access to and use of public buildings by people with disabilities
Facilities - air handling units (953) Service
Management of air handling units in council offices
Facilities - asbestos (954) Service
Management of asbestos on council run public buildings
Facilities - catering services (955) Service
Provision and management of catering services to staff or for meetings
Facilities - consumables (1633) Service
Sets out a transparent framework for the provision and payment of items most commonly used within a local authority to keep its offices stocked.
Facilities - council property (956) Service
Provision, management and maintenance of office space and other buildings provided by the council for use by council officers and local citizens.
Facilities - energy and fuel (957) Service
Procurement and efficient use of energy and fuel
Facilities - equipment (1301) Service
Provision & management of equipment/stationary within council offices
Facilities - graphic design (958) Service
Provision or use of graphic design services (internally or externally provided and often rechargeable)
Facilities - hazardous substances (959) Service
Dealing with hazardous substances in any council owned property in accordance with relevant legislation .
Facilities - internal mail (1299) Service
Provision & management of internal mail systems within council offices
Facilities - internal room bookings (951) Service
Provision and management of meeting rooms, including the provision of catering and equipment and procurement of externally hosted meeting space, if required
Facilities - management (1658) Service
Management of council offices to ensure the safety and security of staff and visitors
Facilities - noise (960) Service
Dealing with any reported or identified noise nuisances on council owned land or property.
Facilities - planned maintenance (961) Service
Planned programme of repairs and maintenance to premises and facilities equipment.
Facilities - printing and copying (962) Service
Provision of printing and copying services to staff, including self operated equipment or centrally controlled print services
Facilities - reactive repairs (963) Service
Unplanned repairs to premises or facilities equipment, from initial report to completion
Facilities - reception (1300) Service
Provision & management of reception services within council offices.
Facilities - risk assessments (1347) Service
The determination of the level of risk in a particular course of action. Risk assessments are an important tool in areas such as health and safety management and environmental management.
Facilities - staff/visitor car parking (964) Service
Provision and maintenance of car parking facilities for staff and visitors at council offices.
Facilities - water (966) Service
Provision and maintenance of water supplies in council offices.
Facilities -fleet ownership and maintenance (965) Service
Management and maintenance of council owned vehicles
Finance - accounting (967) Service
Standard accounting procedures including carry forward, balance sheet, reserves, cash flow, certification of accounts, financial statements and accounting policies
Finance - financial management (968) Service
Processing of funds and grants (inwards and outwards) and write-off of debts.
Finance - financial planning (969) Service
Process of developing, implementing and monitoring financial plans, including reviews. Preparing budgets and managing cash flow and reserves.
Finance - fund management (970) Service
Management of pension fund, trust funds and passporting (The transfer, without reduction, of funds from central government to identified services)
Finance - indemnification for members and officers (1700) Service
The council should indemnify each member and officer of the council against any claim, liability, loss and/or damage in relation to any action of, or failure to act by a member or officer when acting on behalf of the council in carrying out their duties.
Finance - inter-organisational charging (1620) Service
Charging of staff time and/or use of equipment between departments within the organisation
Finance - management and control (971) Service
Adoption and development of policies and procedures for accounting practice
Finance - revenue and customs (972) Service
Calculation of income tax, national insurance, VAT and stamp duties
Health support groups and organisations (1807) Service
Local groups and organisations which can offer advice and support to those suffering from long term health conditions such as autism, diabetes, osteoporosis and many others. Some groups or organisations may work with specified conditions while others may be more general.
ICT - business continuity (985) Service
Preparing a business continuity plan for the LA such that they would be able to carry on their business in the event of a major emergency incident
ICT - data management (986) Service
Internal advice on how data should be shared and handled across the organisation and with partners. Reference to ICO is advised as if personal information is dealt with registration with the ICO as a data controller is required. Notification is a statutory requirement and every organisation that processes personal information must notify the ICO, unless they are exempt. Failure to notify is a criminal offence.
ICT - hardware (987) Service
Policy, purchase and installation of hardware for use by LA personnel
ICT - help desk (988) Service
Provision of first line support to users of ICT equipment and systems, form initial request to resolution
ICT - maintenance (1634) Service
Repair and routine visits to keep hardware equipment and systems online.
ICT - manuals (1660) Service
Manuals on operation of ICT facilities - hardware and software
ICT - networks (991) Service
Implementation and management of computer networks used by council officers.
ICT - peripherals (989) Service
Purchase and installation of peripheral IT equipment
ICT - resource management (1635) Service
A strategy, cost plan and future forecast of ICT needs
ICT - security (1659) Service
Policy and procedures for maintaining the security of information held by the council including user access.
ICT - software (992) Service
Research, recommendation, purchase and installation of software for use by LA employees
ICT - Web site (993) Service
Creation and maintenance of the LA website
Legal - advice (994) Service
Provision of legal advice to the council in respect of service and organisational issues, including the procurement of specialist advice
Legal - case management (1671) Service
Proceedings of any legal cases in which the authority is involved
Legal - contracts (1669) Service
Legal procedures related to any contracts awarded or taken out by the authority
Legal - judicial review (1670) Service
Proceedings of any judicial review on actions carried out by or authorised by a public sector body
Legal - land and property (1663) Service
Legal procedures relating to the purchase, administration or sale of any public land and property
Legal - litigation (995) Service
Provision of litigation support to the council in respect of service or organisational issues, including the procurement of specialist litigation support
Members - allowances (1028) Service
Payment of allowances and expenses to members
Members - committee membership (997) Service
A committee is a group of councillors chosen by the Council to make decisions about an area of service such as Planning or Licensing and Appeals. Councillors appointed to serve on Committees reflect the overall political make-up of the Council. The Council decides the size of committees and appoints the Chair. Committees set the objectives and policy for their service and oversee their implementation by the officers.
Members - communications (1026) Service
The council should have a clear policy on communication with members which should include what information is provided, what support is provided, how the information is provided and who is responsible.
Members - democratic services - advice (998) Service
Professional advice to members and the public on democratic services and functions, including advice on the design of the committee structures
Members - elections - polling stations (999) Service
Provision, manning and publicity for polling stations, including the payment of staff (exclude manning and payment)
Members - elections - results (1000) Service
Appointment of a returning officer, the arrangements for the count (including recruitment and payment of staff) and the declaration of results as well as the publication.
Members - electoral cycle (1675) Service
The frequency with which elections for council members are held which is determined by the council. Options are whole council (all councillors elected at one time), by halves (half the councillors elected every 2 years) or by thirds (one third of the councillors elected every year with no election each fourth year.
Members - executive forward plan (1024) Service
Each council is required to provide a forward plan of key decisions to be made by the executive. The plan is required to cover a period of four months and to be updated every month.
Members - honours and awards (1025) Service
Nominations for honours and awards from the council for staff, members and the community
Members - induction and training (1029) Service
Provision of induction and training for new members and ongoing development support to existing
Members - minutes, agendas and reports (1030) Service
By law, the Council must produce an accurate record of all decisions taken and recommendations made by the Council and its Committees and Panels. Where these contain matters of a personal or confidential nature such documents need not be made available to the public but should be circulated to relevant members using appropriate communication channels.
Members - overview and scrutiny (1031) Service
Each council should set up overview and scrutiny committees whose job is to Look back at decisions that have been taken, look forward to future decisions, making reports and recommendations on things that the executive does, as well as other aspects of the council's work, Measure performance and how effective previously implemented decisions have been and scrutinise how well council policies, strategies and services work and suggest improvements.
Members - political offices (1032) Service
Offices staffed by non-political officers to enable the authority's elected members (councillors) go about their business in the most effective and efficient way. The group offices are there to provide a full secretarial and administrative support service to the elected politicians.
Members - secretariat (1027) Service
Provision of member support services, including diary management, secretarial support etc
Staff - accommodation (1718) Service
Provision of housing for employees
Staff - annual leave (1302) Service
An employee has the right to take annual leave, subject to the right of the supervisor to schedule the time at which annual leave may be taken.
Staff - appraisal (973) Service
formal process of assessing staff performance against targets and for setting future expectations
Staff - apprenticeships (1298) Service
Paid work based training combined with post-secondary education.
Staff - benefits (1661) Service
A range of benefits may be provided to staff working for the council. Benefits may be subject to eligibility criteria such as length of service.
Staff - business travel (1656) Service
Policies and procedures for staff travelling for business purposes. This covers use of public transport, leased vehicles and use of staff members own vehicles.
Staff - continuing professional development (1128) Service
Providing staff in all service areas with information, tools and training to support their ongoing professional development.
Staff - disciplinary procedures (974) Service
Publication and implementation of disciplinary procedures relating to employment matters.
Staff - disclosure of interests (1665) Service
Disclosure of financial and non-financial officer interests that could conflict with the Council's interest
Staff - employment tribunals (1297) Service
Tribunal non-departmental public bodies which have statutory jurisdiction to hear many kinds of disputes between employers and employees.
Staff - equal pay (975) Service
The council has a responsibility to ensure that staff are not discriminated against and that equal pay is awarded to all staff performing the same role. This involves reviewing the councils pay policy for all staff and associated employment terms.
Staff - expenses (1727) Service
Payment of legitimately incurred business expenses to officers and others working for of the organisation.
Staff - grievance (1290) Service
Investigation of any grievances raised by LA staff. This may include a formal hearing with all involved parties to investigate the complaint and decide on any further action.
Staff - job analysis (976) Service
Job Evaluation or analysis requires councils to review their local pay arrangements. It is a method used to establish a fair and equal pay and grading structure, and to ensure that all jobs are evaluated in the same way by looking at factors for jobs rather than at individual members of staff.
Staff - occupational health (977) Service
provision of occupational health services and checks for staff, including periodic medical assessments
Staff - outplacement (978) Service
Placing a staff member either temporarily or permanently with another council or organisation
Staff - payroll (979) Service
Pay policy and payment, including performance related pay
Staff - pension scheme (1770) Service
A local authority or fire and rescue authority operates a public service pension scheme providing pension benefits for local government workers, teachers, health service workers, fire and rescue workers and anyone employed by the authority. Such a scheme must be operated in accordance with any published code of practice.
Staff - procedures (1304) Service
Provision & maintenance of procedures within council offices.
Staff - public holidays (980) Service
Each council should publish a policy on public holidays each year and ensure that the policy covers part-time workers and alternative arrangements for staff who are required to work on public holidays.
Staff - recognition (1666) Service
Recognition of staff achievement and/or recommendation of staff for honours
Staff - redeployment (981) Service
Each council should have a policy on redeployment of staff (including additional training where appropriate) in situations where staff are displaced or faced with significant change to their job as a result of internal restructuring.
Staff - reorganisations (982) Service
Reorganisation of the internal workforce of the council
Staff - sickness management (1143) Service
Procedures and strategies for dealing with staff sickness, to reduce the number of working days lost by work related injury and ill health.
Staff - telephone charges (1303) Service
The charges accrued by staff who make personal calls from work.
Staff - victimisation (983) Service
Preparing a policy, implementing the policy and dealing with reports of victimisation in the workplace for council employees
Staff - workplace bullying (984) Service
Preparing a policy, implementing the policy and dealing with reports of bullying in the workplace for council employees