Government Local and National in Britain

Waltham Forest Local Government Website

Newham offers enormous potential as a place to live and work. It is a thriving area which is undergoing a remarkable transformation - rapidly emerging as a centre of commerce and culture. Situated just three miles from the city, Newham takes in much of London's revitalised docklands, including City Airport, the ExCeL international exhibition centre and luxury homes overlooking the Thames. The borough is at the centre of London's plans for the 2012 Olympic games. The Games will see an 80,000-seater stadium built in Stratford - which will also be at the heart of a prestigious new development, Stratford City, comprising 4,500 new homes, nearly half a million square metres of office space, hotels, schools and a shopping centre to rival any in the country.

Havering council is 'improving well'. That's the judgement made by the Audit Commission as part of its annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) of all councils for 2005. This year's assessment, described by the Audit Commission as a 'harder test' scores Havering Council 3 out of 4 on its current improvement activity. The Audit Commission noted in particular improved service outcomes, increased public and user satisfaction and low costs.

The history of the Barking and Dagenham area can be traced back to the Stone Age. Axes and other flint implements have been found at various sites in the Borough and evidence of settlements during the Bronze Age and Iron Ages have also been discovered in the areas. Roman bricks and tiles were reused in the building of Barking Abbey, the second oldest Saxon Abbey in the country, as long ago as AD 666. Roman pottery and coins have been found on site. The area was almost the earliest Saxon settlements in Essex, and the area's name is believed to derive from the ancient name given to Barking - meaning Berica's people and Dagenham - meaning Daecca's village.

The Council has 63 elected Members and employs over 5,000 people. It is responsible for a wide range of services and plays a key role in championing the interests of the local community. It works with, amongst others, the local police and NHS to improve the quality of life, well-being and safety of its residents.

Bromley town centre boasts one of the most popular shopping venues in the South East. The pedestrianised High Street, with its weekly FarmerÆs Market and range of co-ordinated events, is complemented by The Glades Shopping Centre. Bromley town centre provides year-round access to a wide range of specialist shops together with popular chain stores. Orpington and Beckenham and a number of other local centres, each with their own characteristics, provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy food and drink, helping to recharge after an excess of retail therapy.

The City of Westminster is located in the heart of London and is home to the Monarchy , the Government and many tourist attractions. Westminster is the focus of London's Tourism offer. It has the largest concentration of visitor attractions in London - including prestigious landmarks such as Buckingham Palace , Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square, as well as most of the West End theatres and cinemas, and world famous shopping areas of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street. It also contains 40% of London's hotels and guest houses.

The City of London provides local government services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. It is committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business City as the world's leading international financial and business centre through the policies it pursues and the high standard of services it provides. Its responsibilities extend far beyond the City boundaries in that it also provides a host of additional facilities for the benefit of the nation. These range from open spaces such as Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath to the famous Barbican Arts Centre.

Bury is the thriving heart of the borough with a bustling market and superb range of high street and specialist shops complemented by beautiful countryside, a wide range of leisure facilities and award winning attractions.