County borough
Category	Borough
Location	England and Wales and Ireland
Found in	Counties
Created by	Local Government Act 1888
	Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
	Local Government (Wales) Act 1994
Created	1889
	1889/1994
	1899
Abolished by	Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971
	Local Government Act 1972
	Local Government Act 2001
Abolished	1973 (local government)
	1974
	2002
Number	11 (as at 2008)
Possible types	Lieutenancy area (2)
	Principal area (9)

County borough is a term introduced in 1889 in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (excluding Scotland), to refer to a borough or a city independent of county council control. History The Roman occupation of Britain was the first period in which the area of present-day England and Wales was administered as a single unit (with the exception Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world The Local Government Act 1888 (51 & 52 Vict c 41 was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1888 and established County councils and County borough The Local Government (Ireland Act 1898 (61 & 62 Vict c 37 is a piece of legislation passed as an Act of Parliament by the Parliament of the United Kingdom The Local Government (Wales Act 1994 (1994 c 19 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which created the current local government structure The Local Government (Boundaries Act (Northern Ireland 1971 was an Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, passed in 1971 to replace the previous system The Local Government Act 1972 (1972 c 70 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom, that reformed local government in England and Wales The Local Government Act 2001 (No37 of 2001 was enacted by the Oireachtas of the Republic of Ireland on 21 July 2001. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. A borough is an Administrative division of various countries In principle the term borough designates a self-governing Township although in practice A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status A County council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a County. The Local Government Act 1972 abolished them in England and Wales, but they are still used in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Local Government Act 1972 (1972 c 70 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom, that reformed local government in England and Wales England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 re-introduced the term for certain "principal areas" in Wales. The Local Government (Wales Act 1994 (1994 c 19 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which created the current local government structure See also Independent city A unitary authority is a type of Local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all Local government functions Scotland did not have county boroughs but instead counties of cities. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The counties of Scotland were the principal divisions of Scotland until 1975 These were abolished on May 16, 1975. Events 1204 - Baldwin IX Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. All four Scottish cities of the time — Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow — were included in this category. Aberdeen ( pronounced; Aiberdeen Obar Dheathain is Scotland 's third most populous city and one of Scotland's 32 local government council Dundee (Dùn Dèagh is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and fully named as Dundee City, one of Scotland's 32 local government council Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. Glasgow (ˈglæzgoʊ is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom There was an additional category of large burgh in the Scottish system, which were responsible for all services apart from police, education and fire. In 1930 the Scottish Burghs were split into two types large burghs and Small burghs The councils of large burghs had more responsibilities and

England and Wales

History

Creation

When county councils were first created in 1889, it was decided that to let them have authority over large towns or cities would be impractical, and so any large incorporated place would have the right to be a county borough, and thus independent from the administrative county it would otherwise come under. A County council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a County. An administrative county was an Administrative division in England and Wales and Ireland used for the purposes of Local government. Originally 10 county boroughs were proposed, but the Local Government Act 1888 as eventually passed created 61 in England, and two in Wales. The Local Government Act 1888 (51 & 52 Vict c 41 was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1888 and established County councils and County borough (The ten in question were Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham and Sheffield. Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um Bradford ( lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a Metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London Kingston upon Hull ( almost invariably referred Leeds ( is located on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England Liverpool ( is a City and Metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England Nottingham ( is a city in the Ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire, England. Sheffield ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England )

Initially, a town had to have a population of over 50,000 to apply to be made a county borough. The granting of county borough status was a subject of much argument between the large municipal boroughs and the county councils. Municipal boroughs were a type of Local government which existed in England and Wales between 1835 and 1974 in Northern Ireland from 1840 to Additionally, county borough borders were tightly constrained because of county council reluctance to give up their tax base. Several exceptions were allowed: mainly for historic county towns: Bath, Canterbury, Chester, Dudley, Gloucester, Oxford and Worcester were all under the 50,000 limit in the 1901 census (Canterbury even under 25,000). Bath is a city in Somerset in the south west of England It is situated west of London and south-east of Bristol. Canterbury ( ˈkæntəbɹ̩i is a City in eastern Kent in the South East region of England. Chester is the County town of Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77040 Dudley ( is a large town in the West Midlands, England, with a population of 194919. Gloucester (ˈɡlɒstɚ) is a city, district and County town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, Worcester (ˈwʊstə is a city and County town of Worcestershire, in the West Midlands of England. Various new county boroughs were constituted in the following decades as more boroughs reached the 50,000 minimum and then promoted Acts to constitute them county boroughs. County boroughs to be constituted in this era were a mixed bag, including some towns that would continue to expand such as Bournemouth and Southend-on-Sea. Bournemouth ( is a large coastal resort town in the Borough of Bournemouth in Dorset, England. Other towns such as Burton upon Trent and Dewsbury were not to not increase in population much past 50,000. Burton upon Trent, also known as Burton-on-Trent or simply Burton, is a large town straddling the River Trent in the east of Staffordshire, Dewsbury is a Market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England.

1913 saw the attempts of Luton and Cambridge to gain county borough status defeated in the House of Commons, despite the approval of the Local Government Board — the removal of Cambridge from Cambridgeshire would have reduced the income of Cambridgeshire County Council by over half. Luton ( is a large town in the east of England, 32 miles (51 kilometres north of London. The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England The House of Commons' is the Lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords The President of the Local Government Board was a ministerial post frequently a Cabinet position in the United Kingdom, established in 1871

Slowdown

Street nameplate on Rutland Road, Smethwick in April 2007, showing painted out "County Borough" lettering. Smethwick (pronounced 'Smethick' is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England.

Upon recommendation of a commission chaired by the Earl of Onslow, the population threshold was raised to 75,000 in 1926, by the Local Government (County Boroughs and Adjustments) Act 1926, which also made it much harder to expand boundaries. Richard William Alan Onslow 5th Earl Onslow GBE PC ( 23 August 1876 &ndash 9 June 1945) was a British peer The Local Government (County Boroughs and Adjustments Act 1926 (16 & 17 Geo The threshold was raised to 100,000 by the Local Government Act 1958. The Local Government Act 1958 (6 & 7 Eliz2 c55 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom affecting local government in England and Wales outside

The viability of the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil came into question in the 1930s. Due to a decline in the heavy industries of the town, by 1932 more than half the male population was unemployed, resulting in very high municipal rates in order to make public assistance payments. Merthyr Tydfil today Government The current Borough boundaries date back to 1974 when the former county borough of Merthyr Tydfil expanded slightly to cover At the same time the population of the borough was lower than when it had been created in 1908. ^[1] A royal commission was appointed in May 1935 to "investigate whether the existing status of Merthyr Tydfil as a county borough should be continued, and if not, what other arrangements should be made". The term Royal Commission may also be used in the United Kingdom to describe the group of Lords Commissioners who may act in the stead of the ^[2] The commission reported the following November, and recommended that Merthyr should revert to the status of a non-county borough, and that public assistance should be taken over by central government. In the event county borough status was retained by the town, with the chairman of the Welsh Board of Health appointed as administrative adviser in 1936. ^[3]

After the Second World War the creation of new county boroughs in England and Wales was effectively suspended, pending a local government review. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including History The Roman occupation of Britain was the first period in which the area of present-day England and Wales was administered as a single unit (with the exception A government white paper published in 1945 stated that "it is expected that there will be a number of Bills for extending or creating county boroughs" and proposed the creation of a boundary commission to bring coordination to local government reform. A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that often addresses problems and how to solve them The policy in the paper also ruled out the creation of new county boroughs in Middlesex "owing to its special problems". Middlesex is one of the 39 historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. ^[4] The Local Government Boundary Commission was appointed on 26 October 1945, under the chairmanship of Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve,^[5] delivering its report in 1947. The Local Government Boundary Commission was established in 1945 to review the boundaries of local authority areas in England and Wales outside the Counties Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Arthur Malcolm Trustram Eve 1st Baron Silsoe GBE, MC, TD, KC ( 8 April 1894 - 3 December 1976) known ^[6] The Commission recommended that towns with a population of 200,000 or more should become one-tier "new counties", with "new county boroughs" having a population of 60,000 - 200,000 being "most-purpose authorities", with the county council of the administrative county providing certain limited services. The report envisaged the creation of 47 two-tiered "new counties", 21 one-tiered "new counties" and 63 "new county boroughs". The recommendations of the Commission extended to a review of the division of functions between different tiers of local government, and thus fell outside its terms of reference, and its report was not acted upon.

Partial reform

The next attempt at reform was by the Local Government Act 1958, which established the Local Government Commission for England and the Local Government Commission for Wales to carry out reviews of existing local government structures and recommend reforms. The Local Government Commission for England was established by the Local Government Act 1958 to review the organisation of local government and make "such proposals The Local Government Commission for Wales was established by the Local Government Act 1958 to review the organisation of local government in Wales and to make recommendations Although the Commissions did not complete their work before being dissolved, a handful of new county boroughs were constituted between 1964 and 1968. Luton, Torbay, and Solihull gained county borough status. Luton ( is a large town in the east of England, 32 miles (51 kilometres north of London. Geography There are three main towns around the bay Torquay in the north Paignton in the centre and Brixham in the south which have become connected Solihull (ˈsɒlɪhʌl or /ˈsəʊlihʌl/ is a large town in the West Midlands of England, with a population of 94753 Additionally, Teesside county borough was formed from the merger of the existing county borough of Middlesbrough, and the non-county boroughs of Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar; Warley was formed from the county borough of Smethwick and the non-county boroughs of Oldbury and Rowley Regis; and West Hartlepool was merged with Hartlepool. Teesside is the name given to the Conurbation in the North East of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees Middlesbrough ( IPA ( Received pronunciation) is a Town in the Tees Valley sub-region of the North East of England Stockton-on-Tees is a market town in North East England. It is the major settlement in the unitary authority area and Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. Redcar is a Seaside resort and the principal town in the Unitary authority of Redcar and Cleveland in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire Warley was from 1966 to 1974 a County borough and Civil parish formed by the combination of the existing county borough of Smethwick with the non-county Smethwick (pronounced 'Smethick' is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England. Oldbury is a Town in the West Midlands in England. It is a part of the Black Country and the administrative centre of the borough of Sandwell Rowley Regis is a town in the Sandwell metropolitan borough of the West Midlands county, and a part of the Black Country in the United Kingdom This article refers to the place for the Rugby Football Club see West Hartlepool R Hartlepool ('hɑːtlɪpuːl is a North Sea port in North East England Following these changes, there was a total of 79 county boroughs in England. The Commission also recommended the downgrading of Barnsley to be a non-county borough, but this was not carried out. Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, and west of Doncaster

Abolition

The county boroughs of East Ham, West Ham and Croydon were abolished in 1965 with the creation of Greater London and went on to form parts of London boroughs. East Ham was a local government district in the far south west of Essex from 1878 to 1965 West Ham was a local government district in the extreme south west of Essex from 1886 to 1965 forming part of the built-up area of London, although outside the Croydon was a local government district in north east Surrey, England from 1849 to 1965 Greater London is the top-level administrative subdivision covering London, England. The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. The remaining county boroughs were abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, and replaced with non-metropolitan districts and metropolitan districts, all beneath county councils in a two-tier structure. The Local Government Act 1972 (1972 c 70 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom, that reformed local government in England and Wales Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially ' shire districts', are a type of local government district in England. A metropolitan borough is a type of local government district in England covering urban areas within metropolitan counties. A County council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a County. In Greater London and the metropolitan counties the lower tier districts retained a wider range of powers than in the non-metropolitan counties.

Revival

This situation did not persist long. In 1986 the metropolitan county councils and the GLC were abolished, returning the boroughs to a county borough status, sharing some powers (police and transport for example). In the 1990s most of the old county boroughs were reformed again as unitary authorities — essentially the same as a county borough. See also Independent city A unitary authority is a type of Local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all Local government functions In England, most of those former county boroughs that did not gain unitary authority status — Barrow-in-Furness, Burnley, Canterbury, Carlisle, Chester, Eastbourne, Exeter, Gloucester, Hastings, Lincoln, Northampton, Oxford, Preston, Worcester, and Yarmouth — have given their names to non-unitary local government districts (in some cases coterminous with the old county borough, in other cases much larger). Barrow-in-Furness is a local government district with borough status in Cumbria, England. Burnley is a local government district with Borough status in Lancashire in North West England, named for its main town Burnley ' Geography The area is in the main rural although the entire coastal strip is taken up by the almost unbroken sprawl of seaside towns from Seasalter The City of Carlisle is a local government district with city status in Cumbria, England. For the smaller central city area and principal settlement of this district see Chester. Eastbourne ( is a large town and borough of East Sussex, on the south coast of England with an estimated population of 94816 as of 2007 Exeter ( (IPA ˈeksɪtər is a city, district and County town of Devon, England. Gloucester (ˈɡlɒstɚ) is a city, district and County town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Hastings is a town on the coast of East Sussex in England; it is also the administrative centre for the Borough of the same name Lincoln (ˈlɪŋkən is a Cathedral city and County town of Lincolnshire, England. This article is about Northampton in England for other places of the same name see Northampton (disambiguation Northampton ( is a large Market Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, Preston ( ˈprɛstən is a city and local government district in Lancashire, England, located on the River Ribble. Worcester (ˈwʊstə is a city and County town of Worcestershire, in the West Midlands of England. History The borough was formed on April 1, 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, as a merger of the former County borough of Great The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government Burton upon Trent became an unparished area in the East Staffordshire borough, and has now been divided into several parishes. Burton upon Trent, also known as Burton-on-Trent or simply Burton, is a large town straddling the River Trent in the east of Staffordshire,

In Wales, several Principal Areas are called county boroughs:

• Merthyr Tydfil
• Caerphilly
• Blaenau Gwent
• Torfaen
• Vale of Glamorgan
• Bridgend
• Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Neath Port Talbot
• Wrexham
• Conwy

(Newport was a made a county borough again in 1996. Merthyr Tydfil today Government The current Borough boundaries date back to 1974 when the former county borough of Merthyr Tydfil expanded slightly to cover History The county borough was formed on April 1, 1996 by the merger of the Rhymney Valley district of Mid Glamorgan with the Islwyn Government The borough was formed in 1974 as a local government district of Gwent. Education Secondary schools in the area are St Albans RC High School, Pontypool West Monmouth School, Pontypool Croesyceiliog School Geography It has been a County borough (unitary authority since 1996, previously being part of South Glamorgan county Government The region is governed by Bridgend County Borough Council. History The county borough was formed on 1 April 1996, by the merger of the former Mid Glamorgan districts of Cynon Valley, Geography The majority of the population of Neath Port Talbot resides in the developed areas along corridors surrounding the M4 Motorway / South Wales Main Line Government The region is governed as a unitary authority by Wrexham County Borough Council. Geography It contains the major settlements of Llandudno, Llandudno Junction, Llanrwst, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, Colwyn Bay Newport (Casnewydd is a city and principal area in Wales, in the United Kingdom. In 2002 it acquired city status. )

For all practical purposes, county boroughs are exactly the same as the other principal areas of Wales called "counties" or "cities" as all these areas are run by unitary authorities (i. For Local government purposes Wales is divided into 22 Unitary authorities, which are responsible for the provision of all local government services including education A county is a Land area of Regional Government within a larger State. See also Independent city A unitary authority is a type of Local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all Local government functions e. : have the functions of both boroughs and counties). A borough is an Administrative division of various countries In principle the term borough designates a self-governing Township although in practice

County boroughs in 1973

The map depicts the county boroughs in England immediately prior to their abolition in 1974. County boroughs in Wales and Monmouthshire are not shown.

This table shows those county boroughs that existed in England and Wales between the Local Government Acts of 1888 (that created them) and 1972 (that abolished them from 1974).

† had Charter Trustees

Only four districts with more than one county borough were formed: Wirral, Sandwell, Sefton and Kirklees. Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and Seaport in Cumbria, England. Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea Barrow-in-Furness is a local government district with borough status in Cumbria, England. Boundaries and divisions Cumbria is neighboured by Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the Lieutenancy Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, and west of Doncaster The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. Barnsley is a Metropolitan borough of the Metropolitan county of South Yorkshire, England. Divisions and environs South Yorkshire is divided into four local government districts they are the City of Sheffield, the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster Bath is a city in Somerset in the south west of England It is situated west of London and south-east of Bristol. Somerset ( or) is a county in south west England The County town is Taunton, which is in the south of the county The former County of Avon was a non-metropolitan county and ceremonial county in the west of England, named after the River Avon, which Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. Cheshire (or archaically the County of Chester) is a county in North West England. Wirral or The Wirral (ˈwɪrəl is a Metropolitan borough in Merseyside, North West England, which occupies the northern Merseyside is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1365900 Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um Geography Warwickshire is bounded to the northwest by the West Midlands Metropolitan county and Staffordshire, by Leicestershire to The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Blackburn ( is a large town in Lancashire, England. It lies to the north of the West Pennine Moors on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley Blackburn with Darwen is a Unitary authority area in Lancashire, North West England. Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea Blackpool (/ˈblækˌpul is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea Bolton ( is a large town in Greater Manchester, in the North West region of England. The Metropolitan Borough of Bolton is a Metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 Bootle is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, in Merseyside, England. Merseyside is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1365900 The Borough of Bournemouth has been a Unitary authority in South East Dorset since 1 April 1997 Wildlife Hampshire has wildlife typical of the island of Great Britain Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast Bradford ( lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a Metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. The City of Bradford is a local government district of West Yorkshire, England, with the status of a Metropolitan borough and a city West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of Brighton ( is a town on the south coast of England and with its neighbour Hove, forms the city of Brighton and Hove. East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London History See also History of Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is a historic county mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the 10th century The former County of Avon was a non-metropolitan county and ceremonial county in the west of England, named after the River Avon, which Burnley is a large Market town in the borough of Burnley in Lancashire, England, with a population of around 73500 Burnley is a local government district with Borough status in Lancashire in North West England, named for its main town Burnley Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea Burton upon Trent, also known as Burton-on-Trent or simply Burton, is a large town straddling the River Trent in the east of Staffordshire, Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, north-northwest of the city of Manchester, west-southwest of The Metropolitan borough of Bury is a Metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in the northwest of England. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 Canterbury ( ˈkæntəbɹ̩i is a City in eastern Kent in the South East region of England. ' Geography The area is in the main rural although the entire coastal strip is taken up by the almost unbroken sprawl of seaside towns from Seasalter KENT (1400 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards/MOR format Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. Glamorgan or Glamorganshire (Morgannwg is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. The Cardiff district was one of the two local government districts of South Glamorgan in Wales from 1974 to 1996 South Glamorgan is a preserved county of Wales. It was originally formed in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, as a county council Carlisle (pronounced CARLYLE(emphasis on the first syllable is a City in northern England the largest settlement in Cumbria. Cumberland is one of the 39 Historic counties of England. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 (excluding Carlisle from 1915 and now forms part of The City of Carlisle is a local government district with city status in Cumbria, England. Boundaries and divisions Cumbria is neighboured by Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the Lieutenancy Chester is the County town of Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77040 For the smaller central city area and principal settlement of this district see Chester. Cheshire (or archaically the County of Chester) is a county in North West England. Coventry ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in the County of West Midlands in England. The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Darlington is a town in County Durham, England and the main population centre in the Borough of Darlington. Darlington is a local government district and Borough in North East England. Derby (pronounced "dar-bee" /dˈɑːbɪ/ is a city in the East Midlands of England. History The area that is now Derbyshire was first visited probably briefly by humans 200000 years ago during the Aveley Interglacial as evidenced by a Middle Dewsbury is a Market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. Kirklees is a Metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire, England and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster is a Metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire in Yorkshire and the Humber Region of England. Divisions and environs South Yorkshire is divided into four local government districts they are the City of Sheffield, the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster The County Borough of Dudley was a County borough covering the town of Dudley and later incorporating surrounding settlements Localities Localities within the borough include Amblecote Brierley Hill Bromley Coseley The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Eastbourne ( is a large town and borough of East Sussex, on the south coast of England with an estimated population of 94816 as of 2007 East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the Exeter ( (IPA ˈeksɪtər is a city, district and County town of Devon, England. Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England. It lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne. Gateshead is a Metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, in north-east England. Gloucester (ˈɡlɒstɚ) is a city, district and County town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. History See also History of Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is a historic county mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the 10th century History See also History of Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is a historic county mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the 10th century Grimsby (or archaically Great Grimsby) is a Seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs) is a county in the east of England. Humberside was a Non-metropolitan county of England from 1 April 1974 until 1 April 1996. Halifax is a large Market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England, with a population of 82056 in the The Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale is a Metropolitan borough of the Metropolitan county of West Yorkshire, England, through which the West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of Hartlepool ('hɑːtlɪpuːl is a North Sea port in North East England Hartlepool is a local government district and Borough in the Ceremonial county of County Durham, North East England Cleveland is an area in the north east of England. Its name means literally "cliff-land" referring to its hilly southern areas which rise to nearly. Hastings is a town on the coast of East Sussex in England; it is also the administrative centre for the Borough of the same name East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the Huddersfield ( is a large Market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, 190 miles (306km north Kirklees is a Metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of Kingston upon Hull ( almost invariably referred Humberside was a Non-metropolitan county of England from 1 April 1974 until 1 April 1996. Ipswich ( ˈɪpswɪtʃ is a Non-metropolitan district and the County town of Suffolk, England on the Estuary of the River Orwell Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. Leeds ( is located on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England This article discusses the metropolitan district of the City of Leeds. West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of Leicester (ˈlɛstə is the largest city and Unitary authority area in the East Midlands of England, and is the traditional Leicestershire (ˈlɛstəʃə(r or ˈlɛstəʃɪə(r abbreviation Leics Leicestershire (ˈlɛstəʃə(r or ˈlɛstəʃɪə(r abbreviation Leics Lincoln (ˈlɪŋkən is a Cathedral city and County town of Lincolnshire, England. Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs) is a county in the east of England. Liverpool ( is a City and Metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary Merseyside is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1365900 Luton ( is a large town in the east of England, 32 miles (51 kilometres north of London. Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 Merthyr Tydfil today Government The current Borough boundaries date back to 1974 when the former county borough of Merthyr Tydfil expanded slightly to cover Mid Glamorgan is a ceremonial preserved county of Wales. From 1974 until 1996, it was also an administrative county with a county council Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England Northumberland is a county in the North East of England. The non-metropolitan county of Northumberland borders Cumbria to the west Newport (Casnewydd is a city and principal area in Wales, in the United Kingdom. Ancient county See also Monmouthshire (historic The ancient county of Monmouthshire was formed from the Welsh Marches by the Laws in Wales The Newport district was one of the five local government districts of Gwent from 1974 to 1996 Gwent is a preserved county and a former local government county in south-east Wales. This article is about Northampton in England for other places of the same name see Northampton (disambiguation Northampton ( is a large Market Northamptonshire (or archaically the County of Northampton; abbreviated Northants Northamptonshire (or archaically the County of Northampton; abbreviated Northants Nottingham ( is a city in the Ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire, England. Nottinghamshire (abbreviated Notts) is an English county in the East Midlands, which borders South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire Nottinghamshire (abbreviated Notts) is an English county in the East Midlands, which borders South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire History Roman The Romans had their regional capital at Venta Icenorum on the river to the south which is near modern-day Caistor St Edmund Norfolk (ˈnɔrfək is a low-lying county in East Anglia, England, United Kingdom. Norfolk (ˈnɔrfək is a low-lying county in East Anglia, England, United Kingdom. Oldham was from 1849 to 1974 a Local government district in the northwest of England. The Metropolitan Borough of Oldham is a Metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in North West England. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, History See also History of Oxfordshire The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century and is broadly situated in the History See also History of Oxfordshire The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century and is broadly situated in the Plymouth ( is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England about south west of London. Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name History See also History of Portsmouth There have been settlements in the area since before Roman times mostly being offshoots of Portchester, which Wildlife Hampshire has wildlife typical of the island of Great Britain Preston ( ˈprɛstən is a city and local government district in Lancashire, England, located on the River Ribble. Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea Reading (ˈrɛdɪŋ as Redding) is a town in England, located at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, midway between Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South Rochdale is a large Market town in Greater Manchester, England The Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale is a Metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in North West England. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 Rotherham ( is a large town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, close to its confluence with the River Rother, between Rotherham is a Metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Divisions and environs South Yorkshire is divided into four local government districts they are the City of Sheffield, the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster St Helens ( is a large town in Merseyside, England It is the largest settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100000 The Metropolitan Borough of St Helens is a Metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England. Merseyside is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1365900 Salford lies at the heart of the City of Salford, a Metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in North West England. The City of Salford is a Local government district of Greater Manchester, England with the status of a city and Metropolitan borough. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 Sheffield ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England Sheffield ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England Divisions and environs South Yorkshire is divided into four local government districts they are the City of Sheffield, the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster Solihull (ˈsɒlɪhʌl or /ˈsəʊlihʌl/ is a large town in the West Midlands of England, with a population of 94753 The Metropolitan Borough of Solihull is a Metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Southampton ( IPA /ˌsaʊθˈhæmptən/ is the largest city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England Wildlife Hampshire has wildlife typical of the island of Great Britain Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common Southport is a seaside town on the Irish Sea coast situated within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, in England, UK. Merseyside is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1365900 South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne. South Tyneside is a Metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear in North East England. Stockport ( is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground on the River Mersey at the influx of the rivers Goyt The Metropolitan Borough of Stockport is a Metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in north west England, centered around the town of Stockport Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 Stoke-on-Trent ( often abbreviated to Stoke) is a city in Staffordshire, England which forms a linear Conurbation almost 12 miles (19 Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. Sunderland (, or /ˈsʌn(dlən/ is a City in Tyne and Wear, England. History The metropolitan borough was formed in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 by the merger of several districts of County Durham - Washington Swansea ( Abertawe "mouth of the Tawe " is a city and county in Wales. The Swansea district was one of the four local government districts of West Glamorgan, Wales from 1974 to 1996 West Glamorgan is a preserved county and former administrative county of Wales, one of the divisions of the ancient county of Glamorgan. Teesside is the name given to the Conurbation in the North East of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees Middlesbrough is a Unitary authority and borough in North Yorkshire, England. Stockton-on-Tees is a Unitary authority area and borough in the Tees Valley area of North East England, with a population in 2001 of 178408 The borough of Redcar & Cleveland is a Unitary authority in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England consisting of Redcar Cleveland is an area in the north east of England. Its name means literally "cliff-land" referring to its hilly southern areas which rise to nearly. Geography There are three main towns around the bay Torquay in the north Paignton in the centre and Brixham in the south which have become connected Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name This article concerns itself with the village For the Parliament constituency of the same name see Tynemouth (UK Parliament constituency Tynemouth North Tyneside is a Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear in the North East of England. Wakefield lies at the heart of the City of Wakefield, a Metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. The City of Wakefield is a local government district of West Yorkshire, England, with the status of a city and Metropolitan borough West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of Wallasey is a large town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in Merseyside, England, on the mouth of the River Mersey Wirral or The Wirral (ˈwɪrəl is a Metropolitan borough in Merseyside, North West England, which occupies the northern Merseyside is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1365900 Walsall ( is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. Localities Aldridge, Alumwell Barr Beacon, Bentley, Birchills, Blakenall Heath, Bloxwich The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Warley was from 1966 to 1974 a County borough and Civil parish formed by the combination of the existing county borough of Smethwick with the non-county History of the Borough The borough was formed on 1 April 1974 as a merger of the County boroughs of Warley (associated with Worcestershire The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Warrington is a large town borough and Unitary authority area in Cheshire, England. Cheshire (or archaically the County of Chester) is a county in North West England. West Bromwich ( is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands, England History of the Borough The borough was formed on 1 April 1974 as a merger of the County boroughs of Warley (associated with Worcestershire The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Wigan is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south of Preston, west-northwest of Manchester The Metropolitan Borough of Wigan is a Metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in North West England. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Worcester (ˈwʊstə is a city and County town of Worcestershire, in the West Midlands of England. Worcester (ˈwʊstə is a city and County town of Worcestershire, in the West Midlands of England. Hereford and Worcester was an English county created on 1 April 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 from the area of the former administrative Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a Coastal Town in Norfolk, England. History The borough was formed on April 1, 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, as a merger of the former County borough of Great Norfolk (ˈnɔrfək is a low-lying county in East Anglia, England, United Kingdom. York ( is an historic Walled city sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county in In England and Wales, Charter Trustees are set up to maintain the continuity of a Town charter or City charter after a district with the status Wirral or The Wirral (ˈwɪrəl is a Metropolitan borough in Merseyside, North West England, which occupies the northern History of the Borough The borough was formed on 1 April 1974 as a merger of the County boroughs of Warley (associated with Worcestershire Kirklees is a Metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. Elsewhere, county boroughs usually formed the core or all of a district named after the county borough - with the exceptions of Halifax, whose metropolitan district was named Calderdale, Burton upon Trent, which became part of the East Staffordshire district, and Teesside, which was split up between three non-metropolitan districts. The Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale is a Metropolitan borough of the Metropolitan county of West Yorkshire, England, through which the

Previous county boroughs

County boroughs to be abolished prior to 1974 were:

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, local government has not used them since 1973, but the county boroughs remain in use for Lieutenancy. Croydon is a large town and major commercial centre in South London, and the principal settlement of the London Borough of Croydon. Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The London Borough of Croydon ( is a London borough in South London, England and is part of Outer London. Greater London is the top-level administrative subdivision covering London, England. Devonport, formerly named Plymouth Dock or just Dock, is a district of Plymouth in the English county of Devon, although it was at Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Plymouth ( is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England about south west of London. East Ham was a local government district in the far south west of Essex from 1878 to 1965 Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common The London Borough of Newham ( is a London borough in East London, within Greater London. Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. Stoke-on-Trent ( often abbreviated to Stoke) is a city in Staffordshire, England which forms a linear Conurbation almost 12 miles (19 Middlesbrough ( IPA ( Received pronunciation) is a Town in the Tees Valley sub-region of the North East of England The North Riding of Yorkshire was one of the three historic subdivisions of the English county of Yorkshire, alongside the East and West Teesside is the name given to the Conurbation in the North East of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees Smethwick (pronounced 'Smethick' is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England. Warley was from 1966 to 1974 a County borough and Civil parish formed by the combination of the existing county borough of Smethwick with the non-county West Ham is a district in the London Borough of Newham, in east London, England, located east of Charing Cross. This article refers to the place for the Rugby Football Club see West Hartlepool R Hartlepool ('hɑːtlɪpuːl is a North Sea port in North East England Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British Monarch 's personal representatives in the United Kingdom, usually in a county or similar circumscription with varying

The two county boroughs in Northern Ireland were replaced with two larger districts (Belfast and Derry), are only in use for Lieutenancy. Belfast City Council is the City council for Belfast, Northern Ireland. Derry City Council (Comhairle Cathrach Dhoire is a district council in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.

• Belfast
• Londonderry

Republic of Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland, county boroughs have been renamed 'cities', and their corporations become 'city councils'. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe.

• Cork
• Dublin
• Galway since 1986
• Limerick
• Waterford

In the Republic of Ireland, the relevant legislation remained still in force (although amended), and county boroughs on the original model existed until 2001. Cork (Corcaigh is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland 's third most populous city after Dublin and Belfast Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Galway (Gaillimh is the only city in the province of Connacht in Ireland. Limerick (pronounced /ˈlɪmrɪk/ Luimneach in Irish) is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the Province of Munster Waterford ( or Windy fjord;) is a city in Ireland. It is the primary city of the South East region and the fifth largest in the country Under the Local Government Act 2001 (which replaced most existing local government legislation in Ireland), the term "County Borough" was abolished and replaced with "City" (and hence, "Corporation" with "City Council"). The Local Government Act 2001 (No37 of 2001 was enacted by the Oireachtas of the Republic of Ireland on 21 July 2001. However Kilkenny, while a city, is instead administered as a town (and part of the county council area) for local government purposes. Kilkenny, ( is a city and county town of County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is allowed to use the title "Borough Council" instead of "Town Council" however.

References

1. ^ Census data on population of Merthyr Tydfil
2. ^ London Gazette, May 1, 1935
3. ^ Report of the Royal Commission on the status of the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil (Cmd. 5039)
4. ^ Local government in England and Wales during the period of reconstruction (Cmd. 6579)
5. ^ London Gazette, October 26, 1945
6. ^ Report of the Local Government Boundary Commission for the year 1947

See also

• Municipal borough
• Metropolitan borough
• London borough
• County corporate
• List of administrative counties and county boroughs of England by population in 1971