Mind explaining the council to me?

Council tax is based on the value/size of one's property. Central Government makes an annual grant to each local authority which the also levies council tax on residents. A combination of central government funding and council tax pays for all services such as street lighting, parks, schools, waste disposal and recycling, leisure services, social services....and so on.

Thanks,that helps.At first I thought council tax was like our property tax.Of course we get nothing for that.

They are also democratically elected, although the turnout at local elections is usually pathetically low. Elected members (councillors) make political decisions based on information they ask paid officials to prepare for them. Once the decisions are made, these officials have to carry them out. For example, if councillors decide that a new community facility like a library is needed, officials have to prepare costings and plans which councillors then have to approve.

And blamed for everything that goes wrong, by some people!

beaten again

No clever comments I'm afraid.
"The council" is simply the local government as apposed to national.
They are responsible for local planning, refuse collection, social services funding etc.

I think the council you are referring to would be the local authority in each Borough thats responsible for all things local.. including waste disposal, schools, libraries, local rates/taxes and many many other things..
This is a link to my local council website if you'd like a peek..

www.ealing.gov.uk/site/

Welcome to Gransnet by the way..