Il local government e la Brexit

In the United Kingdom local authorities – that are similar but not identical in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – are part of the executive, along with the national and the devolved government and public bodies, perform state functions in local areas and do not have a power of general competence as in Italy (although in England since 2011 they could do anything that individuals generally may do). Local government is deeply influenced by the European Union: now its first task is to understand to what extent EU law affects its operations. Furthermore, it has to examine every area of interaction with EU (like public procurement, state aid regime, waste management and treatment, debt recovery process, access to EU funding, etc.) and prepares for what could happen next in each area. Above all, it should take the opportunity of Brexit to clearly bring to the attention of the Government and the Parliament, the political parties and public opinion the need for an explicit constitutional recognition of its status and role.