The Commonwealth Local Government Handbook is published annually, updated and revised each year. This seventh edition continues to be an essential reference tool for anyone working in or with local government in the Commonwealth. The Handbook gives full country profiles on the local government systems in the 53 countries of the Commonwealth describing the local government structures and institutions, the democratic process, how local government is financed, the services for which it is responsible, and innovations and developments in local government practice and thinking. The profiles are arranged in a format that allows easy comparison from country to country.It includes a preface from Basil Morrison, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), a foreword from Carl Wright, CLGF Secretary-General, and a message from Hon. Kumari Selja, Minister of State for Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, India.