The United Kingdom is a country where modern governance sits on top of centuries of tradition. Counties — some dating back more than 1,000 years — coexist with councils created only a few decades ago. Add to this the differences between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and local government becomes one of the most fascinating structures in Europe.
But counties and councils are not just political boundaries. They influence everything from where children go to school, to when academic holidays take place, to how universities schedule their semesters, to the cultural identities people proudly hold. This expanded guide explores the full depth of UK counties and councils, including how they operate, the school-year structure, month-wise public holidays, university term trends, regional variations, and more.
1. What Is a County in the UK? A Deep Historic View
The idea of counties began in the Anglo-Saxon and Norman period, when England was divided into shires. Each shire had:
- a sheriff
- its own courts
- tax responsibilities
- geographic boundaries
Over time, these shires became counties, and today they serve multiple roles:
Types of Counties
- Ceremonial Counties
- Represented by Lord-Lieutenants
- Used for culture, geography
- Examples: Yorkshire, Hampshire, Devon, Kent
- Historic Counties
- The original cultural regions from centuries ago
- Not always the same as modern boundaries
- Administrative Counties
- Modern governing areas such as Kent County Council
- Metropolitan Counties
- Urban regions like Greater Manchester or Merseyside
- Non-Metropolitan (Shire) Counties
- Rural/suburban regions with two-tier councils
Even when administrative boundaries change, the cultural identity of counties remains strong.
2. What Are Councils? – The Governing Bodies of Local Life
Councils (local authorities) are responsible for day-to-day local government services.
They manage:
- Schools and education
- Rubbish and recycling
- Planning permission
- Highways
- Social care
- Public libraries
- Local events
- Community support
- Environmental health
- Licensing
In the UK, councils can be:
- County Councils
- District or Borough Councils
- Unitary Authorities
- Metropolitan Borough Councils
- London Borough Councils
Each has different powers based on where they are located.
3. England’s Complex Local Government: A Full Breakdown
England has the most layered system in the UK.
A. Two-Tier Counties (County + District)
County Councils (Upper Tier)
Provide “big budget” services:
- Education & admissions
- Public health
- Adult and children’s social care
- Highways
- Libraries
- Fire & rescue (in many areas)
District Councils (Lower Tier)
Offer close-to-home services:
- Bins & recycling
- Housing services
- Local planning
- Council tax collection
- Leisure and parks
Examples
- Kent
- Surrey
- Essex
- Hampshire
- Warwickshire
- Oxfordshire
This system still covers most rural England.
B. Unitary Authorities — A Modern Simplified System
Unitary authorities handle everything under one council.
Examples:
- Cornwall
- Durham
- Northumberland
- Bristol
- Milton Keynes
- Wiltshire
- Herefordshire
- Isle of Wight
More counties are shifting to the unitary model to reduce costs.
C. Metropolitan Counties (Urban Powerhouses)
There are 6 metropolitan counties:
- Greater Manchester
- West Midlands
- West Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- Merseyside
- Tyne & Wear
Inside them are metropolitan borough councils like:
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- Leeds
- Birmingham
- Sheffield
These areas often have combined authorities with elected metro mayors.
D. London’s Unique Three-Layer System
London is governed by:
- 32 London Boroughs
- City of London Corporation
- Greater London Authority (Mayor + Assembly)
Boroughs run local services, while the Mayor handles city-wide transport, policing strategy, and planning.
4. Scotland: 32 Unitary Councils
Scotland removed county councils in 1996. Today, it has:
- 32 single-tier councils
Examples: - Glasgow City
- City of Edinburgh
- Aberdeen
- Highland
- Fife
- Argyll and Bute
Historic counties like Ayrshire or Perthshire survive only in cultural memory.
5. Wales: 22 Unitary Authorities + Community Councils
Wales uses a simple structure:
- 22 unitary authorities
- Community councils (local villages/towns)
Examples:
- Swansea
- Cardiff
- Flintshire
- Pembrokeshire
- Monmouthshire
- Gwynedd
Wales often blends modern governance with strong regional identities.
6. Northern Ireland: 11 District Councils
Since 1973, NI has had no county councils.
Today it has:
- 11 local councils (single-tier)
Historic counties (Antrim, Down, Armagh, Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh) still define culture and sports.
7. UK School Term Structure by Month (In-Depth)
Although each council sets its own term dates, the pattern across the UK is broadly similar.
January
- Spring Term begins in England, Wales, NI
- Scottish schools are already mid-term (as they return early January)
February
- Half-term break (one week) for most councils
- Varies by county (e.g., Kent and Surrey may differ by one week)
March
- Regular teaching
- Easter holiday sometimes begins depending on the calendar year
April
- Easter holiday (2 weeks)
- Summer Term starts second half of April
May
- Bank Holiday (first Monday)
- Sometimes another bank holiday at end of May
- GCSE & A-level exams begin (England, Wales, NI)
June
- Major public exam month
- Scotland’s school year begins ending in late June
July
- Schools close mid–late July (England, Wales, NI)
- Summer holidays begin (5–7 weeks)
August
- Scottish schools return mid-August
- English/Welsh/NI remain on summer break
- A-level & GCSE results published
September
- New academic year starts (first week)
- New school admissions cycle begins
October
- Mid-term break (one week)
- Some councils such as Birmingham, Manchester, Devon may vary
November
- Normal teaching
- Winter exams for some vocational courses
December
- Schools close third week of December
- Christmas holidays (2 weeks)
8. UK University Academic Structure (Month-Wise In-Depth)
Universities do not follow council school structures, but patterns are similar nationwide.
September
- First-year arrivals
- Induction week
- Autumn Term begins
October
- Regular lectures
- Major academic workload period
- Oxford & Cambridge start slightly late (Michaelmas Term)
November
- Essays, labs, mid-term projects
- Graduate program interviews
December
- End of Autumn Term
- Christmas break
January
- Spring Term begins
- Return from holiday
- Some universities hold January exams
February
- Main teaching month
- Heavy coursework period
March
- End of Spring Term
- Easter break begins
April
- Revision period
- Returning after Easter
May
- University exam season
- Summer projects begin for some courses
June
- Dissertations submitted
- Graduation planning
July
- Graduation ceremonies
- Summer holidays
- Resit exams for some
August
- Quiet period
- Course confirmations & clearing
Universities generally align with UK academic culture but operate more independently than schools.
9. Month-Wise UK Public Holidays Explained (Across All Countries)
Public holidays, known as bank holidays, differ between nations.
January
- New Year’s Day (UK-wide)
- 2 January (Scotland only)
March/April
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday (not in Scotland)
May
- Early May Bank Holiday
- Spring Bank Holiday (end of May)
July
- Battle of the Boyne/Orangemen’s Day (Northern Ireland only)
August
- Summer Bank Holiday (England, Wales, NI)
- Scotland has it earlier (first Monday)
December
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Many councils schedule school breaks around these holidays.
10. How Councils Influence School & University Life
Councils have major roles in education:
County Councils handle:
- Admissions
- Special educational needs
- School transport
- Safeguarding
- Early years services
District Councils contribute:
- Leisure facilities
- Community programmes
- Planning school buildings
Universities operate independently, but councils influence:
- Student housing regulations
- Local public transport
- Libraries
- Community policies
- Social care for vulnerable students
Cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast work closely with universities due to large student populations.
11. Regional Differences That Matter
England
- Largest number of counties
- Most varied governance structure
Scotland
- Uniform unitary councils
- Different school calendars (summer holiday earlier)
Wales
- Unitary system
- Strong county identities such as Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire
Northern Ireland
- 11 councils
- Education controlled by separate Education Authority
These differences are important for people moving between UK regions.
12. How Councils Affect Daily Life (Deep Practical Examples)
If you live in Kent County Council
- Waste collection by district (e.g., Canterbury City Council)
- Secondary school admissions run by Kent County Council
- Transport planning handled at county level
- Libraries, social care, youth services organised centrally
If you live in Cornwall (Unitary Authority)
- One council does everything
- Easier access to services
- Council tax goes to one authority
If you live in Manchester (Metropolitan Borough)
- Manchester City Council handles all local services
- Combined authority controls transport (Metrolink), growth, housing strategy
- Mayor has regional power
13. Financial System: How Counties & Councils Are Funded
Councils use:
- Council Tax
- Business Rates
- Government grants
- Fees (parking, licenses, services)
- Capital investment funds
Financial pressure has led to more councils merging or becoming unitary.
14. Complete Summary of UK Local Government Types
| Region | Types of Councils | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| England | County, District, Borough, Unitary, Metropolitan, London Boroughs | Most complex |
| Scotland | 32 Unitary Councils | Uniform system |
| Wales | 22 Unitary Authorities + Community Councils | Simple model |
| Northern Ireland | 11 District Councils | No county councils |
15. Frequently Asked Questions (Extended)
1. How many counties are in England?
48 ceremonial counties.
2. Are counties still used for governance?
Some are administrative; others are only ceremonial.
3. Who decides school holidays?
Local councils.
4. Do universities follow council holidays?
No. They follow independent academic calendars.
5. What’s the difference between a borough and a district?
Both are lower-tier councils, but boroughs often have royal or metropolitan status.
6. Do councils run hospitals?
No, the NHS does. Councils run public health campaigns.
7. Can counties change names or boundaries?
Yes, through legislation.
8. Which council collects bins?
District councils or unitary authorities.
9. Which country has the simplest system?
Scotland and Wales.
10. Which UK county is the largest?
North Yorkshire (ceremonial).
16. Conclusion: Understanding Counties and Councils Helps You Understand the UK
Counties shape identity — councils shape daily life.
From school admissions to university calendars, from bin collection to public holidays, from transport to social care, councils influence almost every part of living in the UK. Understanding how counties and councils work gives clarity on education schedules, holiday patterns, property decisions, and regional differences.
Whether you’re a student, a resident, a migrant, a researcher, or simply curious, knowing the UK’s counties and councils is essential for moving confidently through British life.