Each district is contained within one ceremonial county, except Stockton-on-Tees, which is split for this purpose.
The districts are divided into several categories which determine the powers and functions of the local authority.
Under section 74 of the Local Government Act 1972, the council of a district, county or London borough (or county borough in Wales) may change its name, providing the resolution to do so gains two-thirds of the votes at a special meeting.
Several English districts have done this, whilst others have been renamed under the 1990s UK local government reform.
† The resolutions to change the name of the district were made by the "shadow" councils elected on 7 June 1973.