Local Government Act 1985 - Definition and Overview

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. 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 were first proposed by the white paper Streamlining the cities in 1983.

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 appointed councillors from the metropolitan district councils and London boroughs.

The 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.

Example Usage of Government