Local Government Act 1985

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The Local Government Act 1985 was an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. Its main effect was to abolish the county councils of the metropolitan counties that had been set up in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972, along with the Greater London Council that had been established in 1965.

The core provision, section 1 stated that "the Greater London Council; and the metropolitan county councils" shall cease to exist.

It came into effect on April 1, 1986, with some powers being devolved to the metropolitan boroughs and London boroughs, but others reverting to central government. The measures enacted by the act had been proposed in the white paper Streamlining the cities in 1983. At the time of the Act, one third of the population of England were living in Greater London and the metropolitan counties.^[1]

The act established a system of joint-boards to take over some of the functions of the abolished councils in the metropolitan counties and in Greater London. The joint-boards comprised councillors appointed by the boroughs. Time-limited Residuary Bodies were created to handle the disposal of the councils' assets.

Part III of act also set up the Inner London Education Authority, which had previously been a committee of the GLC responsible for education in Inner London, as a directly-elected body. This was to remain in existence for only three years.

The Act was passed by Margaret Thatcher's government after a series of high-profile disputes between the councils and the central government.