Did you know we have a dedicated powers and duties tool?
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.
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Common land and village greens (649) Service
The local authority is responsible for maintaining a register of common land and village greens within its boundaries.
Countryside conservation (745) Service
Advice, education and volunteer opportunities related to the protection and enhancement of the local natural environment and wildlife. Grants may also be provided to develop areas of the countryside for public use and education.
Countryside education (467) Service
The aim of countryside education is to foster an understanding of the ways in which living things, both plant and animal work together to shape the environment we live in. To achieve this outdoor classroom sessions in and around our visitor centres, in your local countryside, or in schools may be provided. Educational packs containing useful projects and worksheets may be provided.
Countryside events (468) Service
Provision of information on countryside events that have or will take place in the local area. Events may be run by the local authority, local volunteer groups or other organisations (e.g. national trust, national parks).
Countryside facilities (466) Service
Providing information about the facilities available in the local countryside and how to enjoy them
Countryside management (702) Service
Countryside Management Projects care for the countryside through practical action. They rely on the active involvement of local communities - enabling people to play a vital part in looking after their local environment. Countryside Management focuses on nature conservation, access and informal recreation issues.
Countryside rangers (749) Service
The countryside ranger service manages the countryside sites. The rangers carry out practical conservation work and environmental education in addition to organising events and activities.
Countryside surveys (470) Service
The local authority in conjunction with partner organisations (wildlife trusts etc.) or volunteer groups may carry out surveys of the local countryside in order to determine the diversity and density of flora and fauna within the local environment.
Countryside visitor centres (469) Service
Countryside visitor centres may provide facilities for the public to learn about the local area by means of exhibitions, talks and guided walks etc. Visitor centres may also provide refreshments and toilet facilities.
Countryside volunteers (750) Service
Volunteers may help to look after the local countryside in a variety of ways. These can include practical work such as repairing footpaths, helping at events, helping visitors to enjoy the area and carrying out visitor surveys.
Ecology and geology (596) Service
Working in partnership with other local organisations to support the conservation and enhancement of the wildlife and natural environment of the local area.
Field study centres (751) Service
Educational Study Centres or Field Centres which provide courses for schools and/or members of the public on topics related to the local environment, countryside and wildlife. Some Study Centres may provide residential accommodation for the duration of a course.
Forest and woodland management (748) Service
Advice and information on trees, woodland and tree-related issues to local organisations and the public. Where woodland/forests are on council owned land the local authority has a responsibility to maintain them in a way which is beneficial to the local environment and ensures public safety.
Grazing land (464) Service
Open land owned by the local authority which may be used by the public for grazing animals. The precise use of the land (e.g. for horses, cattle etc.) may differ according to location and the local authority may issue grazing permits to limit the number of animals on the land.
Historic sites maintenance (841) Service
Maintenance and preservation of sites of historical or cultural interest and ancient monuments within the local authority area. In many cases this may be undertaken jointly or wholly by third party organisations. Local authorities are obliged to maintain a list of all monuments in their area, which is available for public inspection.
Land use proposals (594) Service
The local authority decides on the use to which local land can be put in accordance with their economic, planning and environmental strategies. Any proposals for change in use of land have to be approved by the local planning department.
Nature reserves (1540) Service
Local nature reserves where wildlife is protected. Nature reserves are usually open to the public but may have restrictions at certain times or under other conditions (no bicycles, dogs etc.) to protect the wildlife
Open access land (1118) Service
Some areas of the countryside, whether publicly or privately owned, may be designated as 'access land' which is open to the public for leisure activities. In England and Wales access authorities have been appointed to manage the opening-up of Access Land to the public. The Access Authority is responsible for identifying potential areas of Access Land and enforcing the opening of these areas; it is also responsible for improving and maintaining access to Access Land, e.g. by installing new gates or causing obstructions to be removed. In National Parks, the Access Authority is the relevant National Park Authority; elsewhere, it is the local highway authority. The Countryside Agency is responsible for maintaining the definitive map of Access Land.
Smallholdings (1724) Service
Provision of land which may be used for agriculture or to keep livestock providing opportunities for persons with sufficient experience to be farmers on their own account. There are restrictions on the number of people who can be employed on a smallholding.