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The organization of local government in the United Kingdom varies from region to region.Traditionally，most parts of the country had a two⁃tier system consisting of county，shire，or borough councils;and district councils.In the 1990s，extensive changes took place in the organization of local governments.Scotland and Wales established unitary local governments called authorities in 1996.Now，Scotland is divided into 29 authorities and Wales into 22.In 1997，Scotland and Wales also created their own legislatures，known as Parliament in Scotland and Assembly in Wales.Through a process known as devolution，the Parliament of the United Kingdom transferred its power over local government to the Scottish and Welsh legislatures，although it continues to control policy for the entire United Kingdom in such matters as national defense and security，national economic policy，employment legislation and social security.Northern Ireland is divided into 26 districts，and also formed its own Assembly in 1998 which has power over a wide range of local affairs.

In England，most areas have retained the two⁃tier system.However，some areas have formed unitary local governments.For example，the London area created the Greater London Authority in 2000，with an elected mayor and 25⁃member Assembly.

Local councils are responsible for setting policies in their areas.The councils are regulated by laws and policies established by the national government，particularly concerning budgets and spending.However，the legislatures of Northern Ireland，Scotland and Wales have extensive authority over local affairs in their regions，especially since 1998 because of the devolution of powers undertaken by the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair.Local authorities are responsible for matters such as police and fire services，building regulations，roads and traffic，housing，libraries，environmental issues and schools.They are often subsidized by the national government in the performance of their responsibilities.

Local government councilors are all elected，and typically represent a ward of about 1，200 people.Councilors are not paid and do not handle the day⁃to⁃day work of running the local government，which is usually managed by paid civil servants called clerks.