Description

Admin History:

Parishes had various local government functions but only two of these were transferred directly to the Corporation. The longstanding duties of parishes in relation to highways were confirmed by the Highways Act of 1825 (5 & 6 Geo IV c.50) which permitted populous parishes to exercise their powers through a highways board. These powers were transferred to boards of health when they were established. The overseers of the poor lost their powers to relieve the poor under the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 (4 & 5 Will. IV c.76) but they retained their rating powers and became the main rating authorities for their areas levying rates for the corporation and the board of health as well as the guardians. During the nineteenth century the overseers came effectively under the control of the corporation but it was not until 1929 that the rating function was formally transferred by the Local Government Act (19 & 20 Geo. V c.17)

Description:

Overseers of the poor; valuation 1837; property accounts 1838-42; watch and lighting rates 1846-1847; Surveyors of the Highways accounts 1847-63; rate books 1846-51