Find My Local Council by Postcode (Local Authority & Borough Finder)
Enter any UK postcode to instantly check your Local Council, Borough, District & County tier, Electoral Ward, ONS Code (E06–E10), Planning Portal, and Council Tax information.
Quick Answer: What Council Am I In and How Do UK Council Tiers Work?
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Local Councils
Statutory overview of UK local government tiers, administrative boundaries, and council responsibilities.
To find out what council you are in, enter your full UK postcode into this checker. It queries official Ordnance Survey and ONS boundary datasets to identify your exact billing authority, borough or district council, and two-tier county structure in 3 seconds.
UK Local Government & Planning Boundary Guides
Official statutory guides explaining council administrative tiers, unitary authorities, parish powers, and planning contact procedures.
Step-by-step guidance on identifying whether your property falls under a Unitary Authority, London Borough, or two-tier District & County council.
Understand England's two-tier local government split — who collects council tax and planning versus highways, education, and waste disposal.
How single-tier unitary councils operate, their combined statutory responsibilities, and how they differ from traditional county-district models.
Direct routes to duty planning officers, pre-application advice portals, online planning registers, and case officer consultations.
Statutory consultee powers of town and parish councils versus Local Planning Authorities and appointed planning committees.
Search nearby planning permissions, building extensions, and official council decisions within 0.25 to 1.0 mile of any UK address.
Want more than just your council's details?
Check your council tax charge, planning restrictions, flood risk, and more for a specific property in our free Property Risk Brief.
Local Authority Boundary, Tier & Governance Guides
Guides on two-tier Shire counties vs Unitary authorities, parish boundaries, council tax banding, and civic responsibilities.
Who Is My Local Council by Postcode in the UK?
To find your local council by postcode, look up your address to identify whether you are under a single-tier Unitary Authority or a Two-Tier system (a District or Borough Council for local planning, housing, and Council Tax, plus a County Council for highways, education, and social services). Greater London is served by 32 London Boroughs.
What Is the Difference Between a District Council and a County Council?
In two-tier areas of England, District Councils (also called Borough or City councils) handle local services such as planning applications, Council Tax collection, housing, and rubbish collection. County Councils cover a broader geographical area and manage strategic services including education, adult social care, highways, and public libraries.
What Is a Unitary Authority in the UK?
A Unitary Authority is a single-tier local government body that executes all local council functions across its geographic territory. Unlike two-tier shire areas where responsibilities are split between district and county councils, a unitary authority manages education, social care, highways, planning, waste collection, and Council Tax under one roof.
How Do I Find My Council Ward by Postcode in the UK?
To find your council ward by postcode, check your address against the official Office for National Statistics (ONS) boundary register, your annual Council Tax bill, or your polling card. UK local authorities are divided into electoral wards, each represented by one to three elected councillors who decide on local planning and community services.
Can a Single Postcode Cross Two Different Council Boundaries?
Yes. A single Royal Mail postcode can span across two different local council boundaries. Royal Mail designs postcodes solely to optimize physical mail delivery routes, with no legal obligation to follow statutory administrative borders. In split postcodes, neighbouring houses on opposite sides of a road can pay council tax to entirely different councils.
What is a Council Tax Improvement Indicator? (Trigger Event & Sale Rules)
An 'Improvement Indicator' on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) Council Tax register indicates that a property has been structurally altered or extended (such as adding a bedroom extension, dormer loft conversion, or conservatory) since its statutory 1991 valuation. Under Section 24 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the existing owner's Council Tax band does NOT increase immediately. Instead, the indicator acts as a statutory flag: the VOA will automatically review and revalue the property when it is subsequently sold, transferring the higher band and tax bill onto the new buyer.
Why Are Welsh Council Tax Bands Different From English Bands?
Welsh Council Tax bands are different because Wales underwent a complete national revaluation in 2005 based on 1 April 2003 property values, whereas England and Scotland remain pegged to original 1 April 1991 valuations. Furthermore, Wales created a ninth valuation band (Band I for properties worth over £424,000 in 2003) to introduce greater progressivity. As a result, English and Welsh bands cannot be compared directly: an identical Band D home in Wales reflects a 2003 value of £91,000–£123,000, while a Band D home in England reflects a 1991 value of £68,000–£88,000.
How Is Council Tax Calculated in the UK?
Council Tax in the UK is calculated by applying a statutory multiplier to your property's 1991 valuation band (Bands A through H in England) against your billing authority's baseline Band D charge. Your final annual bill aggregates precepts from your district or borough council (10–15%), county council or unitary authority (70–75%), police and crime commissioner, fire and rescue service, and local parish or town council.
Disclaimer: Council details are compiled from official sources and kept as accurate as possible, but council websites and contact details can change. Always verify directly with the council for anything time-sensitive or legally significant.