Local authorities support the Cathaoirleach (chair person) and mayor by managing invitations to functions, hosting delegations and civic receptions, and supporting the official business of the office.
Local authorities coordinate youth councils which give young people under the age of 18 the chance to get involved in the development of policy and local services and discuss issues that affect them such as homelessness, mental health, physical health, cyber health and bullying.
Local authorities set up and support corporate policy groups to coordinate the work carried out by strategic policy committees and recommend agreed overall policy to the council.
Local authorities support councillors in their role as elected representatives and policy makers by providing information about day to day local authority services, responding to questions and notices of motion, and supporting their work on council committees.
Local authorities may provide grants to older people who own their own home for repairs or improvement works to make their privately owned home more suitable to their needs.
Local authorities may provide grants to those who own their own home to buy and install grab rails, level access showers, access ramps and stair lifts.
Local authorities set up and support networks to encourage registered community, voluntary, social inclusion and environmental groups to take part in the council's decision-making and policy making processes, and to monitor local authority activities.
Local authorities set up policy committees where elected councillors and representatives from social, economic, cultural, environmental, community and voluntary groups may advise on, develop and review council policy.