Who carries out decision making for local government organisations?

• A. Elected councillors, while day-to-day running is done by managers and council employees
• B. Private shareholders
• C. A board of trustees
• D. Volunteers

Answer: (A)

Governance in local government is carried out by elected councillors who set policy, approve budgets, and determine priorities, then hold the administration to account. The day-to-day running of services is carried out by professional managers and council employees who implement those policies and manage resources under the council’s direction. Private shareholders aren’t involved in local authorities, since they are public bodies funded by taxes and grants rather than investors seeking profit. A board of trustees is typical in charities; local government isn’t governed by trustees. Volunteers can assist and support services, but they don’t have formal decision-making authority for council policy.