[1] As the structure of local government in England is not uniform, there are currently four principal types of district-level subdivision.

All boroughs and cities (and a few districts) are led by a mayor who in most cases is a ceremonial figure elected by the district council, but—after local government reform—is occasionally a directly elected mayor who makes most of the policy decisions instead of the council.

Parishes were the successors of the manorial system and historically had been grouped into hundreds, which had exercised some supervising administrative function.

At the same time, parish-level local government administration was transferred to civil parishes.

Most of the powers of the county councils were devolved to the districts but some services are run by joint boards and organisations.

They were first created in the mid-1990s, and often cover large towns and cities as this is deemed more efficient than a two-tier structure.

In addition, some of the smaller counties such as Rutland, Herefordshire and the Isle of Wight are unitary authorities.

In 2000 the Greater London Authority was established and a two-tier structure was restored, albeit with a change to the balance of powers and responsibilities.