Chapter 14: Municipal Corporations Act Flashcards
Where did the pressure for reform of municipal corporations come from?
Was a by product of parliamentary reform.
What was the Commission of Inquiry?
Set up in 1833 to look into the state of municipal corporations and found that corruption and abuse of the system existed in many boroughs. So, Whig government legislated a complete overhaul of local government.
What did the act entail?
Over 200 old corporations dissolved and 179 Munucipal boroughs were set up to replace them. To be run by councils elected by local ratepayers. This produced a wider franchise than 1832 reform act, where the bulk were exempted.
What was the intentions of the system?
To end misuse of borough funds, which were to be held in a clearly defined account, any surplus to be used for ‘public benefit of inhabitants and the improvement of the borough’.
What was the effect?
New borough boundaries were defined and the first municipal elections were held in 1838.
What was the act?
Reformed local government in the boroughs of England and Wales. Part of the Whigs reform programme, and followed the Great Reform Act which had abolished most of the Rotten Boroughs.
What were the corporations?
A municipal corporation is a local governing body (e.g town, city, county, village, borough), and played a big part in the election of mps.
