History
The parish of Bexley adopted the Local Government Act 1858 in 1879, and a local board of 15 members was formed to govern the area. The local board established offices at Oxford Place, High Street, Bexley.
The Local Government Act 1894 reconstituted the local board's area as an urban district. Bexley Urban District Council replaced the board. In 1902 the urban district was enlarged by absorbing the neighbouring parish of East Wickham, formerly in Dartford Rural District. The enlarged urban district was divided into three wards: Christ Church (returning 8 councillors), St Mary's (5) and East Whickham (2). The Council offices moved to Broadway, Bexleyheath. The urban district council ran its own tram services until they became the responsibility of the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933.
The town was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1935. The royal charter was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent in a ceremony held in Danson Park on September 30. A corporation consisting of a mayor, 6 aldermen and 18 councillors replaced the UDC, with the first elections being held on November 1.
In 1965 the municipal borough was abolished by the London Government Act 1963 and its former area transferred to Greater London from Kent. Its former area was combined with that of other districts to form the present-day London Borough of Bexley.
Read more about this topic: Municipal Borough Of Bexley
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