What is Local government in England?
{{update|date=January 2024}} [[File:England administrative divisions since 1995.svg|thumb|300px|Structure of administrative divisions of England]] [[File:English administrative divisions by type 2009.svg|thumb|300px|A map of England with:<br />{{Colorsample|#f07568}} [[metropolitan borough]]s<br /> {{Colorsample|#f8a20c}} [[London borough]]s<br /> {{Colorsample|#3ce67b}} [[unitary authority|unitary authorities]]<br /> {{Colorsample|#ffd0d0}} two-tier [[non-metropolitan county|non-metropolitan counties]]]] For the purposes of [[local government]], [[England]] has been divided into different levels. In some places there are four levels of [[administrative division]]s. Different laws have created alternative types of administrative division. The pattern is different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. == Regional level == {{main|Regions of England}} At the top level, England is divided into nine regions. Each one containing one or more county-level areas. The regions were created in 1994 and since the [[European Parliament election, 1999 (UK)|1999 Euro-elections]] have been used as England's [[European Parliament]] constituencies. [[Greater London|London]] was the first region with any [[devolved power]] in the form of an [[Mayor of London|elected mayor]] and the [[Greater London Authority]]. Other regions now have elected mayors, but their powers are not all the same. The regions also vary greatly in their areas and their populations. == County level == England is divided by the [[Lieutenancies Act 1997]] into areas for the appointment of [[Lord Lieutenant]]s, who are historically the Crown's representative in a [[county]]. Although not actually defined as such, these areas have become known as [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial counties]]. These counties are often used by people when describing where they live in England. However, many are not used as local government areas themselves, as many are too large or include large urban areas. They are taken into consideration though when drawing up Pa