Metropolitan Board of Works

The Metropolitan Board of Works (MBW) was the principal instrument of London-wide government from 1855 until the establishment of the London County Council in 1889. Its principal responsibility was to provide infrastructure to cope with London's rapid growth, which it successfully accomplished. The MBW was an appointed rather than elected body. This lack of accountabillity made it unpopular with Londoners, especially in its latter years when it fell prey to corruption.

Replacement

The Royal Commission found several officers and two members of the MBW had acted corruptly, and the perception of corruption and the creation of elected County Councils elsewhere led to the decision to replace the MBW with the London County Council (LCC), a directly elected local government body.

Related Topics:
County Councils - London County Council

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