History London County Council

the first meeting of london county council in county hall spring gardens, 1889 henry jamyn brooks

by 19th century city of london corporation covered small fraction of metropolitan london. 1855 metropolitan board of works (mbw) had powers across metropolis, appointed rather elected. many powers remained in hands of traditional bodies such parishes , counties of middlesex, surrey , kent. creation of lcc in 1889, part of local government act 1888, forced succession of scandals involving mbw, , prompted general desire create competent government city, capable of strategising , delivering services effectively. while conservative government of day have preferred not create single body covering whole of london, electoral pact liberal unionists led them policy. established provisional council on 31 january 1889 , came powers on 21 march 1889. shortly after creation royal commission on amalgamation of city , county of london considered means amalgamation city of london. although not achieved, led creation of 28 metropolitan boroughs lower tier authorities replace various local vestries , boards in 1900; assumed powers of lcc , shared others.