> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.os.uk/osngd/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.os.uk/osngd/code-lists/code-lists-overview/regionalauthoritydescriptionvalue.md).
# regionalauthoritydescriptionvalue
{% hint style="warning" %}
This page details upcoming data that will be provided for the Regional Authority Description Value Code List in the OS NGD from the start of October 2026 to give you early insight. Data schema version 2.0 for this code list is currently not available through the live access services. The information on this page is as accurate as possible but is subject to change before launch.
{% endhint %}
:arrows\_clockwise: This code list is used in association with the Description attribute which is present within the Regional Authority Feature Type. The code list describes the type of regional authority (for example, English Combined Authority).
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="v2.0" %}
V2.0 of the code list will be released on 01 October 2026.
#### What's new?
The definition for the original single value in the code list (Greater London Authority) has changed slightly:
* **Original definition in v1.0 of the code list:** The devolved regional governance body of Greater London. The Greater London Authority is the body responsible for strategic citywide government for London and consists of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.
* **New definition in v2.0 of the code list:** The Greater London Authority (GLA) is the strategic governing body for London. It comprises the Mayor of London, who sets London-wide policy and makes decisions on key issues, and the elected London Assembly, which scrutinises the Mayor's work and conducts investigations into issues affecting London.
Five new values have been added to this code list for v2.0:
* English Combined Authority
* English Combined County Authority
* English Foundation Strategic Authority
* English Mayoral Strategic Authority
* English Established Mayoral Strategic Authority
The updated value has an 'updated' emoji (:arrows\_clockwise:) against it, while the five new values have a 'new' emoji (🆕) against them.
| Label | Definition |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| :arrows\_clockwise: Greater London Authority | The Greater London Authority (GLA) is the strategic governing body for London. It comprises the Mayor of London, who sets London-wide policy and makes decisions on key issues, and the elected London Assembly, which scrutinises the Mayor's work and conducts investigations into issues affecting London. |
| 🆕 English Combined Authority | An English Combined Authority is a group of two or more councils that collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries. Unitary and district councils can come together to form an English Combined Authority, although such authorities typically cover single-tier areas where only unitary councils exist. |
| 🆕 English Combined County Authority | An English Combined County Authority is a group of two or more councils that collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries, covering two-tier areas that have both upper-tier and district councils. Unlike English Combined Authorities, only upper-tier councils (county councils and unitary councils) can be constituent councils. |
| 🆕 English Foundation Strategic Authority | An English Foundation Strategic Authority is an authority without an elected mayor and with limited devolution. It includes Non-Mayoral Combined Authorities, English Combined County Authorities, and single councils that have been specifically designated as Strategic Authorities. |
| 🆕 English Mayoral Strategic Authority | An English Mayoral Strategic Authority is an authority with an elected mayor and greater devolution than an English Foundation Strategic Authority. It includes Mayoral Combined Authorities.
|
| 🆕 English Established Mayoral Strategic Authority | An English Established Mayoral Strategic Authority is a Mayoral Strategic Authority that satisfies additional governance requirements and can therefore access the broadest range of devolved powers available from the government. |
| {% endtab %} | |
{% tab title="v1.0" %}
V1.0 of the code list was released on 29 September 2022.
| Label | Definition |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Greater London Authority | The devolved regional governance body of Greater London. The Greater London Authority is the body responsible for strategic citywide government for London and consists of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. |
| {% endtab %} | |
| {% endtabs %} | |
---
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