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Borough status in the United Kingdom

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Borough status is granted by royal charter to local government districts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The status is purely honorary, and does not give any additional powers to the council or inhabitants of the district. In Scotland, similarly chartered communities were known as royal burghs, although the status is no longer granted.

Origins of borough status

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Main article: Ancient borough

Until the local government reforms of 1973 and 1974, boroughs were towns possessing charters of incorporation conferring considerable powers, and were governed by a municipal corporation headed by a mayor. The corporations had been reformed by legislation beginning in 1835 (1840 in Ireland). By the time of their abolition there were three types:

Many of the older boroughs could trace their origin to medieval charters or were boroughs by prescription, with Saxon origins. Most of the boroughs created after 1835 were new industrial, resort or suburban towns that had grown up after the Industrial Revolution. Borough corporations could also have the status of a city.

For pre-1974 boroughs, see Municipal Corporations Act 1835, Boroughs incorporated in England and Wales 1835–1882, Unreformed boroughs in England and Wales 1835–1886, Boroughs incorporated in England and Wales 1882–1974, Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840

Modern borough status

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England and Wales

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Borough status no longer implies a town or urban area. Outside Greater London, borough status is granted to metropolitan and non-metropolitan districts under the provisions of section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972. This section allows the council of a district to petition the monarch for a charter granting borough status. The resolution must have the support of at least two-thirds of the councillors. Having received the petition the monarch may, on the advice of the Privy Council, grant a charter whereupon:

  • The district becomes a borough
  • The district council becomes the borough council
  • The chairman and vice-chairman become entitled to the style mayor and deputy mayor of the borough, except in councils that have an elected mayor under the Local Government Act 2000.

Charters granted under the 1972 Act may allow the borough council to appoint "local officers of dignity" previously appointed by an abolished borough corporation. Examples include:

  • Honorary recorder: some borough and city councils have the right to appoint a circuit judge or recorder appointed under the Courts Act 1971 as honorary recorder. Usually this is the senior judge in the council's area.
  • Sheriff: These are appointed in a number of boroughs and cities that were formerly counties corporate.
  • High steward: originally a judicial office, often held by a peer, now entirely ceremonial.

There is no obligation on the council to appoint persons to these positions.

In some boroughs the mayor has the additional title as "Admiral of the Port", recalling an historic jurisdiction. The lord mayors of Chester and Kingston-upon-Hull are admirals of the Dee and the Humber respectively, the Mayor of Medway is Admiral of the River Medway, and the mayors of Poole and Southampton are admirals of those ports.[1][2][3][4][5]

Privileges or rights belonging to citizens or burgesses of a former borough can be transferred to the inhabitants of the new borough.[citation needed]

Borough councils are permitted to pass a resolution admitting "persons of distinction" and persons who have "rendered eminent service" to be an honorary freeman of the borough. This power has been used to grant honorary freedom not only to individuals, but to units and ships of the armed forces.

England

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Borough charters granted under section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972 to metropolitan and non-metropolitan districts of England

District Year of charter Previous boroughs Notes
Allerdale 4 June 1992[6] Workington (1883) Charter trustees for Workington had existed 1974 to 1982. Abolished 2023.
Amber Valley 17 May 1989[7] None
Ashford 1 April 1974[8][9] Tenterden (reformed 1835) Tenterden formed a town council in 1974
Barnsley 1 April 1974[8][9] Barnsley (1869)
Barrow-in-Furness 1 April 1974[8][9] Barrow-in-Furness (1867) Abolished 2023
Basildon 26 October 2010[10][11] None
Basingstoke and Deane 20 January 1978[12] Basingstoke (reformed 1835) Basingstoke had charter trustees 1974–1978
Bath 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Bath (reformed 1835) Abolished 1996
Bedford See North Bedfordshire
Berwick-upon-Tweed 1 April 1974[8][9] Berwick-upon-Tweed (reformed 1835) Abolished in April 2009. Civic functions transferred to Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council.[13]
Beverley 1 April 1974[8][9] Beverley (reformed 1835) Renamed East Yorkshire Borough of Beverley 1981. Abolished 1996.
Birmingham 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Birmingham (1838), Sutton Coldfield (1885)[14]
Blackburn 1 April 1974[8][9] Blackburn (1851), Darwen (1878) Renamed Blackburn with Darwen 1997
Blackpool 1 April 1974[8][9] Blackpool (1876)
Blyth Valley 1 April 1974[8][9] Blyth (1922) Abolished in April 2009.[13]
Bolton 1 April 1974[8][9] Bolton (1838)
Boothferry 28 April 1978[15] Goole (1933) Goole had charter trustees 1974–1978. Abolished 1996.
Boston 1 April 1974[8][9] Boston (reformed 1835)
Bournemouth 1 April 1974[8][9] Bournemouth (1890) Abolished April 2019
Bracknell Forest 27 April 1988[16] None
Bradford 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Bradford (1847)
Brentwood 10 March 1993[17] None
Brighton 1 April 1974[8][9] Brighton (1854) Abolished 1997.
Brighton & Hove 1 April 1997[18] (granted city status in 2000) Formed from Brighton, Hove districts
Bristol 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Bristol (reformed 1835)
Broxbourne 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Broxtowe 10 November 1977[12] None
Burnley 1 April 1974[8][9] Burnley (1861)
Bury 1 April 1974[8][9] Bury (1876)
Calderdale 1 April 1974[8][9] Halifax (1848), Brighouse (1893), Todmorden (1896)
Cambridge 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Cambridge (reformed 1835)
Canterbury 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Canterbury (reformed 1835)
Carlisle 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Carlisle (reformed 1835) Abolished 2023
Castle Morpeth 1 April 1974[8][9] Morpeth (reformed 1835) Abolished in April 2009.[13][19]
Castle Point 1992[20] None
Charnwood 1 April 1974[8][9] Loughborough (1888)
Chelmsford 10 November 1977[12] Chelmsford (1888) Chelmsford had charter trustees 1974–1977

Granted city status in 2012

Cheltenham 1 April 1974[8][9] Cheltenham (1876)
Cheshire East 1 April 2009[21] [22] Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich, Macclesfield Created April 2009
Cheshire West and Chester 1 April 2009[21] [22] Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Vale Royal Created April 2009
Chester 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Chester (reformed 1835) Abolished April 2009
Chesterfield 1 April 1974[8][9] Chesterfield (reformed 1835)
Chorley 1 April 1974[8][9] Chorley (1881)
Christchurch 1 April 1974[8][9] Christchurch (reformed 1886) Abolished April 2019
Cleethorpes 11 September 1975[23] Cleethorpes (1936) Cleethorpes had charter trustees 1974–1975. Borough abolished 1996
Colchester 1 April 1974[8][9] Colchester (reformed 1835) Granted city status in 2022
Congleton 1 April 1974[8][9] Congleton (reformed 1835) Abolished April 2009
Copeland 1 April 1974[8][9] Whitehaven (1894) Abolished 2023
Corby 28 October 1992[17] None Abolished April 2021
Coventry 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Coventry (reformed 1835)
Crawley 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Crewe and Nantwich 1 April 1974[8][9] Crewe (1877) Abolished April 2009
Dacorum 10 October 1984[24] Hemel Hempstead (1898) Hemel Hempstead had charter trustees 1974–1984
Darlington 1 April 1974[8][9] Darlington (1867)
Dartford 22 April 1977[25] Dartford (1933) Dartford had charter trustees 1974–1977
Derby 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status in 1977) Derby (reformed 1835)
Doncaster 1 April 1974[8][9] Doncaster (reformed 1835) Granted city status in 2022
Dudley 1 April 1974[8][9] Dudley (1865), Stourbridge (1914), Halesowen (1936)
Durham 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Durham and Framwellgate (reformed 1835) Abolished April 2009. Charter Trustees established.[26]
East Staffordshire 11 May 1992[17] Burton upon Trent (1878) Charter trustees for Burton functioned 1974–1992.
They were formally abolished in 2003.
East Yorkshire See North Wolds
East Yorkshire Borough of Beverley See Beverley
Eastbourne 1 April 1974[8][9] Eastbourne (1883)
Eastleigh 1 April 1974[8][9] Eastleigh (1936)
Ellesmere Port 1 April 1974[8][9] Ellesmere Port (1955) renamed Ellesmere Port and Neston 1976. Abolished April 2009.
Elmbridge 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Epsom and Ewell 1 April 1974[8][9] Epsom and Ewell (1937)
Erewash 28 June 1974[27] Ilkeston (1887) Ilkeston had charter trustees April–June 1974
Exeter 1 April 1974[8][9](and city status) Exeter (reformed 1835)
Fareham 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Fylde 1 April 1974[8][9] Lytham St. Annes (1922)
Gateshead 1 April 1974[8][9] Gateshead (reformed 1835)
Gedling 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Gillingham 1 April 1974[8][9] Gillingham (1903) Abolished 1996
Glanford 1 April 1974[8][9] None Abolished 1996
Gloucester 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Gloucester (reformed 1835)
Gosport 1 April 1974[8][9] Gosport (1922)
Gravesham 1 April 1974[8][9] Gravesend (reformed 1835)
Great Yarmouth 1 April 1974[8][9] Great Yarmouth (reformed 1835)
Grimsby 1 April 1974[8][9] Grimsby (reformed 1835) Renamed Great Grimsby 1979, abolished 1996.
Guildford 1 April 1974[8][9] Guildford (reformed 1835)
Halton 1 April 1974[8][9] Widnes (1892)
Harrogate 1 April 1974[8][9] Harrogate (1884) Abolished 2023
Hartlepool 1 April 1974[8][9] Hartlepool formed 1967 from Hartlepool (1850), West Hartlepool (1887)
Hastings 1 April 1974[8][9] Hastings (reformed 1835)
Havant 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Hereford 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Hereford (reformed 1835) Abolished 1998
Hertsmere 15 April 1977[25] None
High Peak 1 April 1974[8][9] Glossop (1866), Buxton (1917)
Hinckley and Bosworth 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Holderness 21 June 1977[28] Hedon (1861) (formed a town council in 1974) Abolished 1996
Hove 1 April 1974[8][9] Hove (1898) Abolished 1997
Hyndburn 1 April 1974[8][9] Accrington (1878)
Ipswich 1 April 1974[8][9] Ipswich (reformed 1835)
Kettering 1 April 1974[8][9] Kettering (1938) Abolished April 2021
King's Lynn and West Norfolk See West Norfolk
Kingston upon Hull 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Kingston upon Hull (reformed 1835)
Kingswood 20 May 1987[7] None Abolished 1996
Kirklees 1 April 1974[8][9] Dewsbury (1862), Huddersfield (1868), Batley (1868), Spenborough (1955)
Knowsley 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Lancaster 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Lancaster (reformed 1835)
Langbaurgh 1 April 1974[8][9] Formed from part of Teesside county borough, created in 1967, and including Redcar (incorporated in 1921) Renamed Langbaurgh on Tees 1988

Renamed Redcar and Cleveland 1996

Leeds 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Leeds (reformed 1835), Pudsey (1889)
Leicester 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Leicester (reformed 1835)
Lincoln 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Lincoln (reformed 1835)
Liverpool 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Liverpool (reformed 1835)
Luton 1 April 1974[8][9] Luton (1876)
Macclesfield 1 April 1974[8][9] Macclesfield (reformed 1835) Abolished April 2009
Maidstone 1 April 1974[8][9] Maidstone (reformed 1835)
Manchester 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Manchester (1838)
Medina 1 April 1974[8][9] Newport (reformed 1835), Ryde (1868) Abolished 1995
Medway (1) 1 April 1974[8][9] Rochester (reformed 1835), Chatham (1890) Renamed Rochester-upon-Medway 1979, and awarded city status.

Abolished 1998

Medway (2) 1998 From Rochester upon Medway, Gillingham boroughs (q.v.)
Melton 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Middlesbrough 1 April 1974[8][9] Formed from part of Teesside county borough, created in 1967, and including Middlesbrough (incorporated in 1853)
Milton Keynes 1 April 1974[8][9] None Granted city status in 2022
Newcastle-under-Lyme 1 April 1974[8][9] Newcastle-under-Lyme (reformed 1835)
Newcastle upon Tyne 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Newcastle upon Tyne (reformed 1835)
Northampton[29] 1 April 1974[8][9] Northampton (reformed 1835) Abolished April 2021. Mayoralty continued by Northampton Town Council
North Bedfordshire 16 October 1975[30] Bedford (reformed 1835) Renamed Bedford 1992
North East Lincolnshire 23 August 1996[31] From Cleethorpes, Great Grimsby boroughs (q.v.) Both former boroughs formed charter trustees
North Lincolnshire 16 December 1996[31] Formed from Boothferry, Glanford, and Scunthorpe boroughs (q.v.) Scunthorpe's mayoralty is continued by charter trustees
North Tyneside 1 April 1974[8][9] Tynemouth (1849), Wallsend (1901)
North Warwickshire 1 April 1974[8][9] None
North Wolds 1 April 1974[8][9] Bridlington (1899) Renamed East Yorkshire 1981.

Abolished 1996

Norwich 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Norwich (reformed 1835)
Nottingham 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Nottingham (reformed 1835)
Nuneaton 1 April 1974[8][9] Nuneaton (1907) Renamed Nuneaton and Bedworth 1980
Oadby and Wigston 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Oldham 1 April 1974[8][9] Oldham (1849)
Oswestry 1 April 1974[8][9] Oswestry Rural Borough (reformed 1835) Abolished in April 2009.
Oxford 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Oxford (reformed 1835)
Pendle 15 September 1976[23] Nelson (1890), Colne (1895)
Peterborough 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Peterborough (1874)
Plymouth 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Plymouth (reformed 1835)
Poole 1 April 1974[8][9] Poole (reformed 1835) Abolished April 2019
Portsmouth 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Portsmouth (reformed 1835)
Preston 1 April 1974[8][9] (granted city status in 2002) Preston (reformed 1835)
Reading 1 April 1974[8][9] Reading (reformed 1835)
Redcar and Cleveland See Langbaurgh
Redditch 15 May 1980[32] None
Reigate and Banstead 1 April 1974[8][9] Reigate (reformed (1863)
Restormel 1 April 1974[8][9] St. Austell with Fowey (formed 1968, including Fowey 1913) Abolished in April 2009.
Ribble Valley 1 April 1974[8][9] Clitheroe (reformed 1835)
Rochdale 1 April 1974[8][9] Rochdale (1856), Heywood (1881), Middleton (1886)
Rochester upon Medway See Medway (1)
Rossendale 1 April 1974[8][9] Bacup (1882), Haslingden (1891), Rawtenstall (1891)
Rotherham 1 April 1974[8][9] Rotherham, (1871)
Rugby 1 April 1974[8][9] Rugby (1932)
Runnymede 20 January 1978[12] None
Rushcliffe 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Rushmoor 1 April 1974[8][9] Aldershot (1922)
St Albans 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) St Albans (reformed 1835)
St Edmundsbury 1 April 1974[8][9] Bury St Edmunds (reformed 1835) Abolished April 2019
St Helens 1 April 1974[8][9] St Helens (1868)
Salford 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Salford (1844), Eccles (1892), Swinton and Pendlebury (1934)
Sandwell 1 April 1974[8][9] West Bromwich (1882), including since 1966 the former boroughs of Tipton (1938) and Wednesbury (1886);[33] Warley (1966), including the former boroughs of Smethwick (1899), Rowley Regis (1933), and Oldbury (1935)
Scarborough 1 April 1974[8][9] Scarborough (reformed 1835) Abolished 2023
Scunthorpe 1 April 1974[8][9] Scunthorpe (1936) Abolished 1996
Sedgefield 17 October 1996[31] None Abolished April 2009. Mayoralty continued by Sedgefield Town Council[26]
Sefton 17 April 1975 Southport (1866), Bootle (1868), Crosby (1937) All three towns formed charter trustees 1974–1975
Sheffield 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Sheffield (1843)
Shrewsbury and Atcham 1 April 1974[8][9] Shrewsbury (reformed 1835) Abolished in April 2009.[34]
Slough 1 April 1974[8][9] Slough (1938)
Solihull 1 April 1974[8][9] Solihull (1954)
Southampton 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Southampton (reformed 1835)
Southend-on-Sea 1 April 1974[8][9] Southend-on-Sea (1892) Granted city status in 2022
South Ribble 1 April 1974[8][9] None
South Tyneside 1 April 1974[8][9] South Shields (1850), Jarrow (1875)
South Wight 1974? None Abolished 1995
Spelthorne 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Stafford 1 April 1974[8][9] Stafford (reformed 1835)
Stevenage 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Stockport 1 April 1974[8][9] Stockport (reformed 1835)
Stockton-on-Tees 1 April 1974[8][9] Formed from part of Teesside county borough, created in 1967, and including Stockton-on-Tees (reformed 1835) and Thornaby-on-Tees (incorporated in 1892)
Stoke-on-Trent 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Stoke-on-Trent formed 1910, including boroughs of Hanley (incorporated in 1857), Longton (1865), Burslem (1878), Stoke-upon-Trent (1874).
Sunderland 1 April 1974[8][9] (granted city status in 1992) Sunderland (reformed 1835)
Surrey Heath 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Swale 20 January 1978[12] Faversham (reformed 1835), Queenborough-in-Sheppey (created 1968, including borough of Queenborough, reformed in 1885) Queenborough-in-Sheppey formed charter trustees 1974–1977
Swindon See Thamesdown
Tameside 1 April 1974[8][9] Ashton-under-Lyne (1847), Stalybridge (1857), Hyde (1881), Mossley (1885), Dukinfield (1899)
Tamworth 1 April 1974[8][9] Tamworth (reformed 1835)
Taunton Deane 1975 Taunton (1885) Taunton had charter trustees 1974–1975, Abolished April 2019
Telford and Wrekin 2002 None
Test Valley 22 October 1976[23] Andover, Romsey, both reformed 1835 Andover had charter trustees 1974–1976. Romsey formed a town council.
Tewkesbury 1 April 1974[8][9] Tewkesbury (reformed 1835)
Thamesdown 1 April 1974[8][9] Swindon (1900) Renamed Swindon 1997
Thurrock 1 April 1974[8][9] None
Tonbridge and Malling 12 December 1983[35] None
Torbay 1 April 1974[8][9] County borough of Torbay – created 1968, and including the borough of Torquay incorporated in 1892
Trafford 1 April 1974[8][9] Stretford (1933), Sale (1935), Altrincham (1937)
Tunbridge Wells 1 April 1974[8][9] Royal Tunbridge Wells (1888) Charter trustees for Royal Tunbridge Wells existed from 1 April to 20 December 1974
Vale Royal 5 May 1988[16] None Abolished April 2009
Wakefield 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Pontefract (reformed 1835), Wakefield (1848), Ossett (1890), Castleford (1955)
Walsall 1 April 1974[8][9][36] Walsall (reformed 1835)
Warrington 1 April 1974[8][9] Warrington (1847)
Watford 1 April 1974[8][9] Watford (1922)
Waverley 21 February 1984[35] Godalming (reformed 1835) Godalming formed a town council in 1974
Wellingborough 1 April 1974[8][9] None Abolished April 2021
Welwyn Hatfield 3 April 2006[37] None
West Devon 27 April 1982[38] Okehampton (reformed 1885) Okehampton formed a town council in 1974
West Norfolk 30 June 1981[32] King's Lynn (reformed 1835) Renamed King's Lynn and West Norfolk 14 May 1981[32]
West Lancashire 1 April 2009[21] [39] None
Weymouth and Portland 1 April 1974[8][9] Weymouth and Melcombe Regis (reformed 1835) Abolished April 2019
Wigan 1 April 1974[8][9] Wigan (reformed 1835), Leigh (1899) Leigh Abolished 1972
Winchester 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Winchester (reformed 1835)
Windsor and Maidenhead 1 April 1974[8][9] (Royal Borough) Windsor, Maidenhead, both reformed 1835
Wirral 1 April 1974[8][9] Birkenhead (1877), Wallasey (1910), Bebington (1937)
Woking 1 April 1974[8][9] none
Wokingham 1 March 2007[40] Wokingham (reformed 1883) Wokingham formed a town council in 1974
Wolverhampton 1 April 1974.[8][9] Granted city status 2000 Wolverhampton (1848). Had absorbed the borough of Bilston in 1967 (incorporated in 1938).
Worcester 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) Worcester (reformed 1835)
Worthing 1 April 1974[8][9] Worthing, 1890
Wyre 1 April 1974[8][9] Fleetwood (1933)
York (1) 1 April 1974[8][9] (and city status) York (reformed 1835) The District was abolished and replaced with a larger unitary authority in 1996
York (2) 1 April 1996[31] (and city status) Created in 1996. Inherited traditions from the smaller York district.

Greater London is divided into thirty-two London boroughs. Their borough status dates from 1965, although each of them had previously included municipal, county or metropolitan boroughs:

London borough Previous boroughs Notes
Barking Barking (1931), Dagenham (1938) Renamed Barking and Dagenham 1981
Barnet Hendon (1932), Finchley (1933)
Bexley Bexley (1937), Erith (1938)
Brent Willesden (1933), Wembley (1937)
Bromley Bromley (1903), Beckenham (1935)
Camden Hampstead, Holborn, St Pancras all created 1900
Croydon Croydon (1883)
Ealing Ealing (1901), Acton (1921), Southall (1936)
Enfield Southgate (1933), Edmonton (1937), Enfield (1955)
Greenwich (Royal Borough) Greenwich, Woolwich both created 1900
Hackney Hackney, Shoreditch, Stoke Newington all created 1900
Hammersmith Hammersmith, Fulham both created 1900 Renamed Hammersmith and Fulham 1981
Haringey Hornsey (1903), Wood Green (1933), Tottenham (1934)
Harrow Harrow (1954)
Havering Romford (1937)
Hillingdon Uxbridge (1955)
Hounslow Brentford and Chiswick, Heston and Isleworth both incorporated in 1932
Islington Islington, Finsbury both created 1900
Kensington and Chelsea (Royal Borough) Kensington, Chelsea both created 1900
Kingston upon Thames (Royal Borough) Kingston upon Thames (reformed 1835), Malden and Coombe (1936), Surbiton (1936)
Lambeth Lambeth created 1900
Lewisham Lewisham, Deptford both created 1900
Merton Wimbledon (1905), Mitcham (1934)
Newham West Ham (1886), East Ham (1904)
Redbridge Ilford (1926), Wanstead and Woodford (1937)
Richmond upon Thames Richmond (1890), Twickenham (1926), Barnes (1932)
Southwark Bermondsey, Camberwell, Southwark all created 1900
Sutton Sutton and Cheam (1934), Beddington and Wallington (1937)
Tower Hamlets Bethnal Green, Poplar, Stepney all created 1900
Waltham Forest Leyton (1926), Walthamstow (1929), Chingford (1938)
Wandsworth Battersea, Wandsworth both created 1900
Westminster (and city status) Paddington, St Marylebone, Westminster all created 1900

Wales

[edit]
Borough charters granted under section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972 to Welsh districts
District Year of charter Previous boroughs Notes
Aberconwy 1974 Conway (1885)
Afan 1974 Port Talbot (formed 1921, including borough of Aberavon, reformed 1861) Renamed Port Talbot 1986
Arfon 1974 Caernarvon (reformed 1835), Bangor (reformed 1883) Bangor and Caernarfon formed town councils
Blaenau Gwent 1975 None
Brecknock 1974 Brecon (reformed 1835) Brecon formed a town council
Cardiff 1974 (and city status) Cardiff (reformed 1835)
Colwyn 1974 Colwyn Bay (1934)
Cynon Valley By November 1974 None
Delyn 1974 Flint (reformed 1835) Flint formed a town council
Dinefwr 1974 Llandovery (reformed 1835) Llandovery formed a town council
Islwyn 1974 None
Llanelli 1974 Kidwelly (reformed 1885), Llanelli (1913) Kidwelly and Llanelli formed town councils
Lliw Valley 1974 None
Merthyr Tydfil 1974 Merthyr Tydfil (1905)
Monmouth 1988 Monmouth (reformed 1835), Abergavenny (1899) Abergavenny and Monmouth formed town councils
Neath 1974 Neath (reformed 1835) Neath formed a town council
Newport 1974 (granted city
status in 2002) 		Newport (reformed 1835)
Ogwr 1974 None
Port Talbot See Afan
Rhondda 1974 Rhondda (1955)
Rhuddlan 1974 None
Swansea 1974 (and city status) Swansea (reformed 1835)
Taff-Ely 1974 None
Torfaen 1974 None
Vale of Glamorgan 1974 Cowbridge (1887), Barry (1938) Cowbridge and Barry formed town councils
Wrexham Maelor 1974 Wrexham (1857)
Ynys Môn – Isle of Anglesey 1974 Beaumaris (reformed 1835) Beaumaris formed a town council

The districts created in 1974 were abolished in 1996 by the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994. The 1994 Act amended section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972, allowing the new unitary county councils established by the Act to apply for a charter in a similar manner to the old district councils. On receiving a charter a county became a "county borough".


Welsh unitary authorities granted a charter in 1996 bestowing county borough status
County borough Previous boroughs Notes
Aberconwy and Colwyn Aberconwy, Colwyn Renamed Conwy 1996
Blaenau Gwent Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend Ogwr
Caerphilly Islwyn
Cardiff Cardiff has the status of a "city and county" by letters patent
Conwy See Aberconwy and Colwyn
Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil
Neath and Port Talbot Neath, Port Talbot Renamed Neath Port Talbot 1996
Newport Newport Became "city and county" in 2002
Rhondda Cynon Taff Cynon Valley, Rhondda, Taff-Ely
Swansea Swansea has the status of a "city and county" by letters patent
Torfaen Torfaen
Vale of Glamorgan Vale of Glamorgan
Wrexham Wrexham Maelor

Northern Ireland

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The privileges of borough status are that the council chairperson is called "mayor"; up to one quarter of councillors can be called "alderman"; and the council can award freedom of the borough.[41][42] The Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840 extinguished all the boroughs in Ireland except for ten. In what would in 1921 become Northern Ireland, there were two remaining municipal boroughs in 1840: Belfast (made a city in 1888) and Derry (officially Londonderry, and a city since 1604). Five towns with abolished corporations remained parliamentary boroughs until 1885 (Armagh, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Dungannon, and Enniskillen) as did three (Downpatrick, Lisburn, and Newry)[43] where any corporation was defunct by 1801. Several of the urban districts in Northern Ireland created under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 later received charters granting borough status. The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 replaced the multi-tier local government system with 26 unitary districts whose councils could retain the charter of a borough within the district; other districts later received borough charters in their own right. The 2015 local government reforms replaced the 26 districts with 11 larger districts. The "statutory transition committee" handling each council merger had the right to request transfer of borough status as in 1972,[44][45][46] and unionist-majority councils did so, while nationalist-majority councils chose not to apply.[47] There were complications where places had city status;[48][49] therefore Belfast, Derry and Lisburn's borough charters carried over automatically, without the need for the council to pass a resolution.[50] Although Newry received city status in 2002, Newry and Mourne District Council did not receive borough status. In 2015 its successor Newry, Mourne and Down District Council voted not to request borough status, the required two-thirds majority failing after opposition from Sinn Féin.[51]

Northern Ireland boroughs since 1840
2015 borough 1972–2015 borough Pre-1972 borough Year of charter Notes
Antrim and Newtownabbey[52] Antrim 1977 Antrim town's borough status was extinguished in 1840. It was Antrim's borough charter which the merged council opted to preserve in 2015.[52]
Antrim and Newtownabbey Newtownabbey 1977
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon[53] Armagh 1997[54] Armagh town already had city status granted by letters patent in 1994. Its previous borough status was extinguished in 1840. It was Armagh's borough charter which the merged council opted to preserve in 2015.[53]
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Craigavon Portadown, Lurgan 1947,[55] 1949
Belfast[50] Belfast Belfast 1613[56] Charter reformed 1840. City status by letters patent of 1888.
Causeway Coast and Glens[57] Ballymoney 1977
Causeway Coast and Glens Coleraine Coleraine 1928 Coleraine's previous borough status was extinguished in 1840. It was Coleraine's borough charter which the merged council opted to preserve in 2015.[57]
Causeway Coast and Glens Limavady 1989
Derry and Strabane[50] Derry Londonderry 1604[58] Charter reformed 1840. District and borough renamed Derry 1984; name of city remains Londonderry (see Derry/Londonderry name dispute).[59]
Lisburn and Castlereagh[50] Castlereagh 1977 The new district council is called Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.[60]
Lisburn and Castlereagh Lisburn Lisburn 1964. Lisburn was granted city status by letters patent in 2002.
Mid and East Antrim[61] Ballymena Ballymena 1937
Mid and East Antrim Carrickfergus Carrickfergus 1939 Carrickfergus's previous borough status was extinguished in 1840. It was Carrickfergus's borough charter which the merged council opted to preserve in 2015.[61]
Mid and East Antrim Larne Larne 1938
Ards and North Down Ards Newtownards 1927 Newtownards' previous borough status was extinguished in 1840. The "North Down and Ards" statutory transition committee voted in 2014 to apply for borough status for the merged district council under the name "East Coast Borough Council",[62] but negative public reaction prompted a rethink,[63] and the name "Ards and North Down" was not finalised until 2016.[64] The charter transfer was delayed until after this.[65]
Ards and North Down North Down Bangor 1927 Bangor's previous borough status was extinguished in 1840. It was North Down's borough charter which the merged council opted to preserve in 2016.[65]
Dungannon and South Tyrone 1999 Borough status was simultaneous with 1999 renaming the district from "Dungannon".[66][67] Dungannon town's borough status was extinguished in 1840. Now in Mid-Ulster District.
Enniskillen 1949[68] Previous borough status was extinguished in 1840. In 1967, Enniskillen Borough Council lost its administrative functions to Fermanagh County Council, but retained its ceremonial role.[69] The post-1972 Fermanagh District Council did not inherit Enniskillen's borough status. Since 2015 in Fermanagh and Omagh District.

See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "History Facts". Chester City Council. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  2. ^ "Lord Mayor of Hull". Hull City Council. Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  3. ^ "About Medway Council". City Ark. Medway Council. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  4. ^ "Mayoral History – The Mayor". Borough of Poole. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Civic and Ceremonial Protocol" (PDF). Southampton City Council. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  6. ^ Candidate Information Pack (PDF). Allerdale Borough Council. April 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Bulletin of Changes of Local Authority Status, Names and Areas 1st April 1988–31st March 1989" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh ei ej ek el em en eo ep eq er es et eu ev ew ex ey ez fa fb fc fd fe ff fg fh "District Councils and Boroughs". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 28 March 1974. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh ei ej ek el em en eo ep eq er es et eu ev ew ex ey ez fa fb fc fd fe ff fg fh "Table III(a)". Local Government in England and wales. a Guide to the New System. London: HMSO. 1974. pp. 15–109. ISBN 0117508470.
  10. ^ "Orders approved at the Privy Council held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 21 July 2010". Orders in Council. Privy Council. 2010. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  11. ^ "Freedom of the Borough". Basildon Council. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  12. ^ a b c d e Department of the Environment (30 January 1978). "Alteration of Status of Local Authorities 1975–1978" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  13. ^ a b c "Ceremonial Rights and Privileges". Joint Transition Forum, Northumberland County Council. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Sutton Coldfield MB through time". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  15. ^ "Alteration in Status and Areas of Local Authorities for Period February 1978 – September 1978" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  16. ^ a b "Bulletin of Changes of Local Authority Status, Names and Areas 1st April 1987–31st March 1988" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  17. ^ a b c "Bulletin of Changes of Local Authority Status, Names and Areas 1 April 1992 – 31 March 1993" (PDF). Department of The Environment. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  18. ^ "Past Mayors" (PDF). Brighton and Hove Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  19. ^ "Minutes, meeting of June 26, 2008". Castle Morpeth Borough Council. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  20. ^ "The Civic Insignia". Castle Point Council. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  21. ^ a b c "Orders and changes made by the Government and Councils between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009" (PDF). Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Orders approved at the Privy Council held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 10th December 2008". Orders in Council. Privy Council. 2008. Archived from the original on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  23. ^ a b c "Alteration of Areas and Status May 1976 – November 1976" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  24. ^ "Alteration of Areas and Status of Local Authorities 1 April 1984 – 31 March 1985" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Retrieved 15 January 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  25. ^ a b "Alterations of Area and Status of Local Authorities December 1976 – May 1977" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  26. ^ a b "Ceremonial Issues arising from Local Government Review". Durham County Council. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  27. ^ "Erewash gets its status as borough". Long Eaton Advertiser. 5 July 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2023. ...the new status... effective from June 28...
  28. ^ Department of the Environment (10 August 1977). "Alteration of Status" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  29. ^ "Northampton Charter". The Times. 29 November 1973. p. 4.
  30. ^ "No. 46725". The London Gazette. 31 October 1975. p. 13813.
  31. ^ a b c d "Bulletin of Changes of Local Authority Status, Names and Areas, 1 April 1994 - 31 March 1997" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  32. ^ a b c "Bulletin of Changes in Local Authority Areas, Names andStatus 1980–1982" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Retrieved 15 January 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  33. ^ "Wednesbury MB through time". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  34. ^ "Parishing of Shrewsbury". Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council. Retrieved 23 December 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  35. ^ a b "Alteration of Areas and Status of Local Authorities 1 April 1983 – 31 March 1984" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Retrieved 15 January 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  36. ^ "Walsall Council:Walsall Borough Charter". Black Country History. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  37. ^ "3rd April 2006 Royal Charter" (PDF). Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  38. ^ "Alteration of Areas and Status of Local Authorities 1 April 1982 – 30 September 1982" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Retrieved 15 January 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  39. ^ "The Royal Charter". West Lancashire District Council. 13 May 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  40. ^ "Borough Status Update". Wokingham District Council. Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  41. ^ DOENI 2014, p.4 §5
  42. ^ "Councillor's Guide" (PDF). Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland. May 2011. p. 46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  43. ^ Commissioners of Municipal Corporations in Ireland (1835). "Lisburne". First Report. p. 6.
  44. ^ DOENI 2014, pp.4–6 §§5,9,10
  45. ^ "The Local Government (Transitional, Incidental, Consequential and Supplemental Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015". legislation.gov.uk. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  46. ^ "Borough Status (AQW 1376/09)". Written Answers to Questions. NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  47. ^ "Naming the new councils". agendaNi. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  48. ^ COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (1 October 2009). "Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill". Hansard. Northern Ireland Assembly. Retrieved 7 January 2016. Our difficulty is in relation to the cities. Some of the city statuses that have been awarded in the past refer to the borough, and some refer to the previous town. We are having a little difficulty in sorting out the legal implications of that.
  49. ^ "Local Government Bill: Informal Clause-by-clause Scrutiny". Hansard. NI Assembly. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2016. While in some cases it is not going to have a major effect, in the case of, for example, the cities, particularly Lisburn, it could have a major effect on their status.
  50. ^ a b c d "The Local Government (Transitional, Incidental, Consequential and Supplemental Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015". legislation.gov.uk. pp. sec. 3(3)(a, b). Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  51. ^ "Borough Status Proposal For Newry Mourne And Down Council Collapses". Down News. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  52. ^ a b "The adoption of Borough Status by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council". Belfast Gazette. 17 April 2015.
  53. ^ a b "Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council". Belfast Gazette. 27 March 2015.
  54. ^ "Armagh granted borough status". The Irish Times. 16 January 1997. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  55. ^ "Crown Office". Belfast Gazette (1361): 179. 25 July 1947. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  56. ^ Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Ireland (1835). Appendix to the First Report ...: Southern, midland, western and south-eastern circuits, and part of the north-eastern circuit. p. 697. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  57. ^ a b "Causeway Coast and Glens Council". Belfast Gazette. 10 April 2015.
  58. ^ Commissioners appointed to inquire into the municipal corporations in Ireland (1836). "Londonderry". Appendix: Part III: Conclusion of the North-Western Circuit. Command papers. Vol. XXIV. HMSO. p. 1117, §§9,10. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  59. ^ "Application by Derry City Council for Judicial Review". NIQB. 25 January 2007. p. WEAF5707. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2013. The 1984 Order made under the 1972 Act had the effect of changing the name of the administrative district from Londonderry to Derry ... the name of the local government district (and the consequential changes to the names of the borough and the council) were affected by the Order in 1984.
  60. ^ Hughes, Brendan (24 June 2015). "The new city of 'Lisburn and Castlereagh'". The Irish News. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  61. ^ a b "Notice of resolution of borough status". The Belfast Gazette. 13 March 2015.
  62. ^ "New name signifies a new beginning for local Council". Ards and North Down Borough Council. 17 December 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2016. In the New Year the Council will formally apply for Borough status and will submit an application to the DoE to change the name to East Coast Borough Council with effect from 1 April 2015; until then the Council will be known as North Down and Ards District Council
  63. ^ Glynn, Niall (15 January 2015). "Northern Ireland super council names spark controversy". BBC News NI. BBC. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  64. ^ "Change of District Name (North Down and Ards) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016". STATUTORY RULES OF NORTHERN IRELAND 2016 No.10. Legislation.gov.uk. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  65. ^ a b "Ards and North Down Borough Council". The Belfast Gazette (7794): 33, notice ID 2462059. 15 January 2016.
  66. ^ "Visits to District Councils (AQW 712/99)". Written Answers to Questions. Northern Ireland Assembly. 30 June 2000. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  67. ^ "Change of District Name (Dungannon) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999 No. 426". legislation.data.gov.uk. 14 October 1999. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  68. ^ "Crown Office". Belfast Gazette (1454): 99. 6 May 1949. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  69. ^ County Fermanagh (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1967 (S.R. & O. (Northern Ireland) 1967 No. 60); see Stormont (15 March 1967). "County Fermanagh (Transfer of Functions) Order". Hansard. Parliament of Northern Ireland. pp. Vol.86 p.68. Retrieved 8 January 2016. The order provides for the transfer on 2nd June, 1967, of the functions, liabilities, property and staff of the borough and rural district councils to a reconstituted county council. ... The rural district councils will, in fact, be abolished. But the borough council, consisting in future of the 12 county councillors representing the area of the borough, will remain to exercise the ceremonial functions of the borough.

Sources

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