Local government in and around Wolverhampton

Bilston

Bilston Town Hall and Market Commissioners were established under the terms of an Act of Parliament (5 Geo IV sess. 1824) which conferred upon Bilston the right to have its own market and town hall. It handed over responsibility for local affairs to the Township Commissioners (see TC/BIL) in 1850. The Township Commissioners were created under the terms of the Bilston Improvement Act of 1850. They had responsibility for improving paving, drainage, cleansing, lighting, water and gas supplies and for constructing a cemetery. Another of their functions was to set up a Public Health Board. They appointed a number of officials, including a surveyor, clerk, treasurer, medical officer of health, and an inspector of nuisances/market keeper. The Township Commissioners themselves comprised a combination of elected members and magistrates appointed at Quarter Sessions. The functions of this organisation were taken over by Bilston Urban District Council which was established in 1894. In 1933 Bilston was granted borough status and a borough council was established. Bilston became part of the Borough of Wolverhampton in 1966.

Mayors of Bilston 1933 - 1966,

Bilston Town Hall 1900 (F1/BIL/E/1b)

Bilston coat of arms, urban district 1894 - 1933 (above) and borough 1933 - 1966 (below)