Neighbourhood
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London is divided into 32 boroughs (suburbs or neighbourhoods). Borough councils run the local schools, parks, parking and charge you for local Council Tax. There are 12 inner boroughs and 20 outer London boroughs. The present boroughs came into exsistance on 1 April 1965 and the are administered by 'London Council Boroughs' which are elected every four years. Decisions on councils are made by councillors. While councillors take the decisions on priorities for the local area, it is the council staff who actually implement policies and deliver local services. Council staff are paid employees and politically neutral.
London is run by the Greater London Authority (GLA), www.london.gov.uk. The GLA administers the 610 square miles of Greater London and consists of an elected Mayor and 25-member assembly. The present Mayor is Boris Johnson.
Different boroughs in London and the UK have a different vibe or lifestyle and of course prices associated with them. It is not only the cost of accomodation in the area that you should consider, but also the cost of shops, restaurants, and pubs in the surrounding streets along with access to public transportation.
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