What are the powers of local and devolved government and how can citizens participate?

Powers of Local and Devolved Governments

Roles and Responsibilities of Local Governments

Local governments in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have various responsibilities, including: education, housing, local transport, and social services.
They’re responsible for local planning and development, which includes the construction and maintenance of houses and public buildings.
Local governments manage environmental health and regulate trading standards, ensuring businesses adhere to safety and fair trading laws.
They take charge of cultural and recreational services such as libraries, sporting facilities, and organising local events.
Waste management is another major responsibility of local governments, overseeing rubbish collection, recycling and disposal.

Roles and Responsibilities of Devolved Governments

The Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, and Northern Ireland Assembly are responsible for various areas of policy including health, education, transport, environment, and some aspects of tax.
They have the power to make laws and decisions on these devolved matters that are specific to their respective nations.
Importantly, however, devolved governments do not have power over reserved matters like defence, foreign policy, and constitutional matters–these are retained by the UK Parliament.

Citizen Participation in Local and Devolved Governance

Voting

One of the most direct ways for citizens to participate is by voting in local and devolved elections to choose their representatives.
In local elections, citizens vote for their local councillor who will represent them in the local council.
In devolved elections, citizens vote for their Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs), Members of the Senedd (MS), or Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLAs).

Petitions

Citizens can start or sign petitions on issues they care about. If a petition receives a certain number of signatures, it may be debated in the devolved legislatures.
In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, there are official petition systems that give citizens the power to bring issues directly to the attention of their elected representatives.

Community Councils and Meetings

Community councils provide a means for local people to engage with their local government, allowing residents a voice in decision-making on local issues.
Similarly, attending public meetings held by local councils can be a way for citizens to voice their concerns and influence local policy-making.

Standing for Election

If citizens wish to have a direct impact on decision-making, they can stand for election as a local councillor, or as a member of a devolved legislatures. This empowers them to effect change from within the system.

Remember, active participation at all levels of government is a critical part of a healthy democracy. By understanding the powers of your local and devolved governments, and the ways in which you can participate in them, you can become a more engaged and effective citizen.