Michael,
>Can anyone explain the British subdivisions, so this point will be clearer?
Hmmm.. this is not straightforward anymore. Since the 1995-6 local
government reforms, the administrative subdivisions have changed, and there
is no consistent pattern. Furthermore, the system is different in the four
constituent countries, with parishes and communities being an additional
complication.
In most parts of England, the general progression of subdivisions is...
National Government -> County -> District/Borough/City -> (Parish/Town)
However, many areas now have so-called unitary authorities (which provides
all local services). In some cases (e.g. the Isle of Wight) this is the
County and there are no districts (although there are still parishes)...
National Government -> County -> (Parish/Town)
In other cases, usually the 'new' counties established in 1972 (e.g. Avon,
Cleveland, Greater Manchester), the unitary authorities are based on
districts/boroughs/cities which fall within the former county. The county
still exists for ceremonial and postal purposes, but there is no longer any
unit of local government at that level (although police forces can still be
based on county areas if sufficiently large enough)...
National Government -> District/Borough/City -> (Parish/Town)
Then in yet other cases (e.g. Derbyshire), one or more urban areas may be
turned into unitary authorities, with the remainder of the county forming
another unitary authority. However, the county as a whole still exists for
ceremonial and postal purpose...
National Government -> County/Borough/City -> (Parish/Town)
Finally, Greater London is different again, and there are also no parishes...
National Government -> Greater London -> Borough/City
Wales has a slightly different set-up, although it's more consistent. They
have unitary authorities throughout, some based on the 1972 counties (e.g.
Powys) and others based on former districts and cities (which were
themselves often based on the traditional Welsh counties). The county has
ceased to exist in Wales, except in the name of certain unitary
authorities. You also have the newly-created Welsh Assembly which has taken
over responsibility for certain matters from the UK national government.
National Government -> Welsh Assembly -> District/City/Borough -> (Community)
Scotland is entirely based on unitary authorities, often based on the names
of the traditional counties. This includes three island authorities, and of
course the Scottish Parliament on top of all of this.
National Government -> Scottish Parliament -> District/City/Borough ->
(Community)
Northern Ireland is also entirely based on unitary authorities, although
you frequently hear reference to the traditional counties. In theory, it
also has a provincial assembly, but that's currently suspended. I don't
think Northern Ireland has either parishes or communities.
National Government -> Northern Ireland Assembly -> District/City/Borough
Just to complicate things further, the traditional English counties that
were established in Norman times and existed until 1972, are still commonly
referred to, and used for many non-official purposes such as sport. Whilst
these are mostly the same as the modern counties, you will sometimes see
reference to Rutlandshire, Huntingdonshire, Middlesex, Cumberland,
Westmoreland and the three Ridings of Yorkshire (East, West and North)
which were merged into neighbouring counties. In addition, some of the
boundaries of the surviving counties were altered quite significantly (e.g.
the whole of North Berkshire was transferred to Oxfordshire).
The Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK and have
their own governments and sub-divisions (which are based on parishes).
>What level is a parish?
As mentioned, parishes (usually known as towns in urban areas) do not exist
consistently. They are found as a further administrative sub-division in
most (all) rural areas, but rarely within boroughs and cities. However,
they sometimes live on in urban areas when the boundaries of those latter
entities are moved to incorporate formerly rural areas. For example, where
I live, there are three parishes within the city boundaries, even though
most of the city doesn't have them.
Incidentally, we're talking here about civil parishes as opposed to
ecclesiastical parishes. Traditionally they were one and the same thing
(i.e. the area covered by an Anglican church), but no such assumptions can
be made now.
>Does this mean Districts and Unitary Authorities change boundaries too?
Absolutely. There have been two major reorganisations in recent times -
1972-74 and 1995-96, but minor adjustments are made all the time. County
boundaries tend to be fairly inviolate because that's the unit that most
(English) people identify with, but even they're changed sometimes.
Electoral wards (which differ for Parliamentary and Council elections) are
supposed to follow existing administrative boundaries where possible (and I
don't think they ever span counties), but they're reviewed every ten years
and it's not always possible to have exact alignments.
Sorry, this message is so long, but unfortunately I don't think there's any
other way to properly answer your questions.
Regards,
Kevin Meynell