Merseyside County Council


Merseyside County Council was, from 1974 to 1986, the upper-tier administrative body for Merseyside, a metropolitan county in North West England.
MCC existed for a total of twelve years. It was established on 1 April 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972. Along with the other five metropolitan county councils and the Greater London Council, it was abolished on 31 March 1986 by the Thatcher government.

Premises

The county council had its main administrative offices at Metropolitan House at 95 Old Hall Street in Liverpool, renting part of the building from its owners, the Liverpool Echo and Daily Post newspaper group. The county council held its meetings at Liverpool Town Hall.

Political control

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1974 until its abolition in 1986 was as follows:

Leadership

Until 1980, the leader of the council also held the formal role of chairman of the council. In 1980 the two roles were separated, with the chairmanship becoming largely ceremonial whilst political leadership was provided by the leader of the council. The first leader and chairman of the county council, Bill Sefton, had been the last leader of Liverpool City Council before the 1974 reforms took effect. The leaders of Merseyside County Council were:

Abolition

The Conservative government abolished Merseyside County Council on 31 March 1986 under the Local Government Act 1985, along with the other five metropolitan county councils and the Greater London Council. Its powers devolved to the five metropolitan boroughs – Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral – which thus became effectively unitary authorities.
Certain of the county council's powers were taken up by joint authorities consisting of members of each borough council; some of these bodies were mandated by the 1985 act and some by order of the secretary of state, while others were voluntary arrangements. The joint bodies included: