A code list is a controlled set of allowable labels or codes represented as an alphanumeric attribute. The pages in this section show the code lists used within Boundary Line.
Levels of administration in the national administrative hierarchy. This code list reflects the level in the hierarchical pyramid of the administrative structures, which is based on geometric aggregation of territories and does not necessarily describe the subordination between the related administrative authorities.
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
3rdOrder
Applies to Non-Metropolitan County, Greater London Authority, Metropolitan District and Unitary Authority.
4thOrder
Applies to District and London Borough.
5thOrder
Applies to Civil Parish and Community.
Names of the levels in the national administrative hierarchy of administrative units.
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
Civil Parish
Parishes are subdivisions of local authorities in many parts of England, and their councils are the most local level of government. Unlike electoral wards/divisions however, parishes are not found in all parts of England. The Welsh equivalents are communities. Note that the full term for administrative parishes is 'civil parishes', to distinguish them from the ecclesiastical parishes which are found in all parts of the UK.
District
Districts are local administrative units and have at various times been used in all four countries of the UK. The only current references to districts however are found in metropolitan and non-metropolitan districts in England and district council areas in Northern Ireland.
Greater London Authority
The area covered by the Greater London Authority (GLA). The GLA is the body responsible for strategic citywide government for London and consists of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. The remit of the GLA covers the Greater London area.
London Borough
The London boroughs are the local government areas within Greater London. The borough councils are unitary administrations with a status similar to metropolitan districts, but they will also be affected by any policies implemented by the Greater London Authority (GLA).
Metropolitan District
Metropolitan districts are subdivisions of the six metropolitan county areas of England. Since the abolition of the metropolitan county councils in 1986, the metropolitan district councils have been unitary administrations.
Unitary Authority
Unitary authorities (UAs) are areas with a single tier of local government (as opposed to the two-tier county:district structure).
Non-Metropolitan County
Counties were formerly administrative units across the whole UK. Due to various administrative restructurings however, the only administrative areas still referred to as counties are the non- metropolitan (shire) counties of England. The English metropolitan counties, although no longer administrative units, are also used for statistical purposes.
Community
The Welsh equivalent of Civil Parish.