Public Affairs 1 - Controlling Power
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- Created by: nat_goodlad
- Created on: 06-10-24 17:22
What was the given reason for introducing unitary structures?
To improve the efficiency and transparency of local administration by reducing service duplication, slashing bureaucracy, and establishing a simplified, uniform council structure.
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What is the definition of a unitary authority?
Any authority which is the sole principal council for its local government area.
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What is a hybrid structure?
Counties in which both unitary and two-tier systems coexist. An example would be East Sussex, in which Brighton and Hove City Council (unitary) neighbours a two-tier structure topped by East Sussex County Council, beneath which sit authorities including E
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Give some examples of unitary structures which cover entire counties.
Isle of Wight, Rutland, County Durham, Cornwall
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What is the full definition of a hybrid structure?
A type of local government structure in some English and Welsh counties in which the two-tier structure remains in certain areas while others have adopted the newer unitary structure.
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What is the full definition of a two-tier structure?
Areas where there are two levels of council operating in the same area; district councils and.or borough councils responsible for services such as waste collection, housing, and environmental health and an overarching county council providing countywide s
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What is the full definition of a unitary structure?
A single unitary local authority is responsible for all local services from waste collection to education and social care.
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Define devolution.
The statutory transfer of power from central government to the separate nations that make up the UK.
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What are combined authorities?
Super councils covering large conurbations and other areas encompassing two or more smaller neighbouring authorities. They are run by elected mayors, with sweeping devolved powers over strategic planning, policing, and potentially local NHS services. The
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Give an example of a combined authority mayor.
Andy Burnham, mayor of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
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Explain the decision-making process in local government.
- Full council, which is made up of all council members, is responsible for all decisions
- Cabinet - the cabinet is made up of the council leader and other councillors, and they use their executive power to make decisions on services functions, and corp
- Cabinet - the cabinet is made up of the council leader and other councillors, and they use their executive power to make decisions on services functions, and corp
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Briefly explain parish councils.
There are around 9,000 parish/town councils in England. They were created to perform basic civil duties in villages and small towns. Parishes have a statutory right to be formally consulted and represented on public enquiries into major planning applicati
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What is the role of a monitoring officer?
To ensure the council acts within the law and does not overreach its powers.
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What is the role of standards committees?
- To promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members
- Assist members and co-opted members of the authority to observe its Code of Conduct
- Advise an authority on the adoption or revision of its Code of Conduct
- Monitor th
- Assist members and co-opted members of the authority to observe its Code of Conduct
- Advise an authority on the adoption or revision of its Code of Conduct
- Monitor th
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What are the two main types of allowance?
- Basic allowance - a flat-rate annual payment for all councillors
Special responsibility allowance - an additional payment received by councillors with greater responsibilities, the size of which varies according to their seniorority
Special responsibility allowance - an additional payment received by councillors with greater responsibilities, the size of which varies according to their seniorority
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How are allowances published?
- On council websites
- Statements of allowances
- Transparency on spend pages
- Statements of allowances
- Transparency on spend pages
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Define a constitution.
The notion of shared membership, of collective rights and responsibilities. All constitutions comprise elements that are written in a literal sense, e.g. their laws are recorded in documentary form. But this doesn't make them 'written constitutions - that
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What constitution does the UK have and what are its sources?
The UK has an unwritten constitution derived from multiple sources including statute (acts of Parliament), precedent, treaties, and works of legal authority (treatises). The UK's constitution is a story of gradual unification of different kingdoms under a
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What are the main sources of the UK constitution?
- Statute - individual laws or acts of Parliament
- Common law - sometimes known as 'case law' or 'legal precedent'
- Conventions - customs, traditions, and long-standing practices
- Treatises - historical works of legal and/or constitutional authority
-
- Common law - sometimes known as 'case law' or 'legal precedent'
- Conventions - customs, traditions, and long-standing practices
- Treatises - historical works of legal and/or constitutional authority
-
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What is the Magna Carta?
Signed by King John in 1215, it's often cited as the foundation of Britain's constitution because it invoked the rule of law principle, upholding the rights of any citizen accused of a crime to a free and fair trial.
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Briefly explain the monarchy.
Britian's reigning sovereign is head of a 'constitutional' monarchy, meaning that while they remain head of state, most day-to-day policy decisions are taken by the government.
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What are the constitutional positions of the monarchy?
- Head of state
- Head of the executive
- Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
- Head of the Commonwealth
- The authority from which the Royal Mint derives its authority to coin and print money in the monarch's image
- Head of the executive
- Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
- Head of the Commonwealth
- The authority from which the Royal Mint derives its authority to coin and print money in the monarch's image
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What are the roles of the monarch?
- Read the King's speech
- Formally approve senior Church of England appointments
- Create peers and confer knighthoods and honours
- Meet the PM weekly to discuss Cabinet business
- Entertain visiting heads of state
- Touring other nations on official st
- Formally approve senior Church of England appointments
- Create peers and confer knighthoods and honours
- Meet the PM weekly to discuss Cabinet business
- Entertain visiting heads of state
- Touring other nations on official st
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How is the monarchy funded?
Sovereign Grant Act 2011 introduced a streamlined funding regime for the monarch and their immediate family. Also, the Privy Purse derives from income generated by the Duchy of Lancaster. Also, senior royal family members can generate their own income pro
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What are the powers of the Prime Minister?
- To appoint fellow ministers
- Chair weekly cabinet meetings
- Appoint cabinet committee members
- Keep the King informed of government business
- Declare war
- Recommend passage of bills to royal assent
- Recommend dissolution of parliament for general
- Chair weekly cabinet meetings
- Appoint cabinet committee members
- Keep the King informed of government business
- Declare war
- Recommend passage of bills to royal assent
- Recommend dissolution of parliament for general
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Who is the senior decision-making body of the government?
The cabinet. The members are appointed by the PM e.g. Secretary of State for Transport. Non-cabinet members are part of the same government but do not hold one of the special roles.
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What is a backbencher?
A term referring to the majority of MPs in the House of Commons who have no additional job titles or responsibilities or opposition, and therefore sit on back-benches behind the front row e.g. not part of the cabinet
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What is a civil servant?
A government employee who works for a central government department and helps to deliver public services
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What do MPs do?
When in London, they work in the House of Commons, raising issues and attending debates. Back in their constituencies, they can hold surgeries, attend functions, visit schools and businesses, and generally try to meet as many people as possible, giving th
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What are whips?
Individuals charged with 'whipping into line' backbenchers when important debates or votes are looming. Led by a chief whip, their job is to persuade MPs who are known to differ from those of their leadership to attend debates and vote with their party as
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How is MP behaviour governed?
- A code of conduct
- The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
- A commons select committee which oversees the commissioner and decides sanctions in more serious cases
- An independent complaints scheme
- The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
- A commons select committee which oversees the commissioner and decides sanctions in more serious cases
- An independent complaints scheme
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Who is the regulator for MPs?
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) - also pays MP's salaries
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What is a green/white paper?
Before being introduced in parliament, prospective legislation is 'opinion-tested' in two early forms - a Green paper and at least one White paper. The former is a document which outlines the broad spirit of the proposed bill and is open to redefinition o
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What is the passage of a bill?
- First reading - reading of the full title in the commons
- Second reading - general principles read out, debated, and voted on
- Committee stage - public or private bill committee consider main clauses in detail
- Report stage - Recommendations referred
- Second reading - general principles read out, debated, and voted on
- Committee stage - public or private bill committee consider main clauses in detail
- Report stage - Recommendations referred
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What is the composition of the House of Lords?
26 Lords spiritual
596 Lords temporal, comprising 27 Law Lords, two non-selected hereditary peers, 90 selected hereditary peers, and 477 life peers.
596 Lords temporal, comprising 27 Law Lords, two non-selected hereditary peers, 90 selected hereditary peers, and 477 life peers.
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What is the House of Lords?
The second chamber of UK parliament. It plays a crucial role in examining bills, questioning government action, and investigating public policy. It has many similar functions to the house of commons in that it scrutinises legislation, holds the government
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What are the main powers of the House of Lords?
- Making laws
- In-depth consideration of public policy
- Holding government to account
- In-depth consideration of public policy
- Holding government to account
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What is the definition of a unitary authority?
Back
Any authority which is the sole principal council for its local government area.
Card 3
Front
What is a hybrid structure?
Back

Card 4
Front
Give some examples of unitary structures which cover entire counties.
Back

Card 5
Front
What is the full definition of a hybrid structure?
Back

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