Local government structure and responsibilities in the UK are carved out by a series of legislative acts that reflect the evolving nature of governance. The establishment of councils in various regions owes its existence to the Local Government Act, but the task of street naming and numbering is grounded in distinct statutes.
Specifically, this duty falls under the Public Health Act of 1925. For London, the task is further outlined in the London Government Act 1963, section 43, and the London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939, part II. This responsibility isn't merely symbolic; every council maintains an essential database known as the Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG), encapsulating every address within their jurisdiction.
In addition to these tasks, there's an added layer of responsibility for local highway authorities in England and Wales. These bodies are legally obligated to generate and continually update their Local Street Gazetteer (LSG), which also includes the associated street data (ASD). The convergence of these databases and responsibilities ensures that local governance is equipped with up-to-date and accurate records, facilitating everything from infrastructure projects to emergency response.