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The bigger political picture
Avanti Academy / Serving the public / Working in a Political Environment / Bitesize
Bitesize

The bigger political picture

National politics and local government reform.

Level
Bitesize
Learning time
1 hour 30 minutes
Where
Working in a Political Environment
Price
£39

When you step up to a higher level, what you paid in the last 12 months for lower-level courses inside the bigger course comes off its price, in proportion to how much of each is inside it, whichever topic it's from. Courses at the same or a lower level don't give credit against each other. A Focus course or above always costs at least £15. Read the full terms

Go to the courseStart the free Taster

Certificate of Completion

About this course

Overview and Outcomes.

Overview

Residents rarely know which tier of government owns their problem, and officers who know only their own tier can give confident but wrong answers. This module maps the three tiers in England and four in Wales, explains devolved and reserved powers, compares the casework of councillors, MPs and Members of the Senedd, and uses the Renters' Rights Act 2025 to show one issue falling under two regimes either side of the border. The map of English local government is being redrawn. This module explains the types of authority today, what a combined authority and its mayor can and cannot do, and the four moves in the Rewiring the State agenda, with Greater Manchester as the model being copied. It sets out why reorganisation is paused rather than cancelled, why Wales is not on this journey, and how officers can work steadily with genuine uncertainty.

What you'll develop

In this Bitesize, you will develop the ability to:

  1. Describe the tiers of government in England and in Wales and explain how the Senedd changes the shape of the Welsh system.
  2. Distinguish reserved, devolved and council delivered matters and identify how they differ between England and Wales.
  3. Route a resident's enquiry to the right tier and the right elected representative, quickly and courteously.
  4. Describe the types of local authority in England and explain what a combined authority and its mayor can and cannot do.
  5. Explain the four structural moves in Rewiring the State and why Wales sits outside this agenda.
What it covers

The Modules.

1 hour 30 minutes of learning.

  1. 03The Wider Political LandscapeResidents rarely know which tier of government owns their problem, and officers who know only their own tier can give confident but wrong answers. This module maps the three tiers in England and four in Wales, explains devolved and reserved powers, compares the casework of councillors, MPs and Members of the Senedd, and uses the Renters' Rights Act 2025 to show one issue falling under two regimes either side of the border.43 min
  2. 04The Reorganising State: Combined Authorities, Devolution and LGRThe map of English local government is being redrawn. This module explains the types of authority today, what a combined authority and its mayor can and cannot do, and the four moves in the Rewiring the State agenda, with Greater Manchester as the model being copied. It sets out why reorganisation is paused rather than cancelled, why Wales is not on this journey, and how officers can work steadily with genuine uncertainty.42 min
Where it fits

Keep going.

Part of the Working in a Political Environment topic, also sold whole as Politically savvy.

How credit works

Go deeper, and pay only the difference

  1. You are hereBitesize, 1 hour 30 minutes, £39
  2. Next stepFocus, The political landscape, 3 hours, £69. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £30.
  3. The whole topicExplore, Politically savvy, 6 hours 30 minutes, £129. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £90.

When you step up to a higher level, what you paid in the last 12 months for lower-level courses inside the bigger course comes off its price, in proportion to how much of each is inside it, whichever topic it's from. Courses at the same or a lower level don't give credit against each other. A Focus course or above always costs at least £15. Prices per person. Read the full terms

Also part of: Serving your community well, Knowing the public landscape

Other Bitesize in the Working in a Political Environment topic

See all in Working in a Political Environment