Local authority functions and posts subject to regulation: local authority

Consultant author: Laurie Anstis

Summary

• Every local authority is required to designate one of its officers as its head of paid service and one as monitoring officer, and to make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs. (See Head of paid service, Monitoring officer and Financial administration)
• The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/202) regulate the appointment of the head of paid service, chief officers, political assistants and mayors' assistants where a post is to be advertised externally. (See Appointments to posts advertised externally)
• The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3384) regulate the involvement of councillors in decisions relating to the appointment of staff. (See Involvement of councillors in appointment decisions)
• Special appointment provisions apply to authorities operating leader and cabinet executive or mayor and cabinet executive constitutions. (See Appointments under leader and cabinet executive/mayor and cabinet executive constitutions)
• A local authority may appoint up to three assistants for political groups. (See Assistants for political groups)
• There are special provisions in relation to the recruitment of mayors' assistants. (See Mayors' assistants)
• Relevant local authorities have power to appoint a director of children's services and a director of adult social services. (See Directors of children's and adults' social services)
• There are restrictions on appointing present or recent councillors as employees.