The county council recognises the importance of this local role and has a joint liaison committee with Buckinghamshire parishes to consider issues of mutual concern. There is a separate list of the main functions of county, district and town and parish councils for reference. Other Agencies Local authorities are not the only units of community government. Many departments of central government have an impact upon local communities, and other important agencies work alongside the local authorities. Health authorities have responsibilities for the administration of the health services at local level.
Water companies have wide responsibilities for water supply, main drainage and sewage disposal.
The Government's Environment Agency now has responsibility for the control and regulation of waste materials in Buckinghamshire. Information on these agencies is contained in the Buckinghamshire Atlas of Public Services. A copy is available at County Hall, Aylesbury. A new Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, responsible jointly for the Fire and Rescue Service across the whole of Buckinghamshire, was established on April 1, 1997. The Thames Valley Police Authority is responsible for the police service across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.