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Mayors and councillors

Study note

Local councils are run by people called councillors, who are elected by local residents. Councillors are not peers, magistrates or civil servants; they are chosen by the public to take decisions about local services. In many parts of the UK, these local elections are held in the month of May.

Some councils also have a mayor. In many places the mayor is a ceremonial figure who represents the area at official events, while in some places a mayor is directly elected by the public to actually lead the council. London is a well known example, with a directly elected Mayor of London who leads the city's government. For the test, remember that councillors are elected, often in May, and that some areas, including London, have a directly elected mayor.

Memory tip: Councillors are elected (often in May); some areas have a mayor, including the Mayor of London.

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Question 1 of 2

Who are elected to run a local council?

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Show all questions and answers for Mayors and councillors(2 questions with explanations)

Mayors and councillors: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Who are elected to run a local council?

    • Peers
    • Magistrates
    • Councillors
    • Civil servants

    Correct answer: Councillors

    Local councils are made up of elected councillors.

  2. 2. London has a directly elected Mayor.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. London has a directly elected Mayor of London.

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