Planning & Architecture Services in Bromley London Borough

London Borough of Bromley, History

Numerous local authorities have historically held responsibility for the Bromley area. The current local authority came into existence in 1964, a year before it formally assumed its powers and before the establishment of the London Borough of Bromley on April 1, 1965. This transition replaced several entities, including the Municipal Borough of Bromley, the Municipal Borough of Beckenham, Penge Urban District, Orpington Urban District, and the Chislehurst segment of Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District.

Under the London Government Act of 1963, it was initially anticipated that Bromley, as a London local authority, would share jurisdiction with the Greater London Council. The division of responsibilities meant that the Greater London Council handled “broad area” services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and waste disposal, while the local authorities managed personal services like social care, libraries, cemeteries, and refuse collection. As an outer London borough council, Bromley has served as an education authority since 1965. This arrangement persisted until 1986 when Bromley London Borough Council assumed responsibility for certain services previously provided by the Greater London Council, such as waste disposal. From 2000 onwards, the Greater London Authority gradually assumed some control over highways and planning, but within the English local government system, the council retains its status as a most purpose authority with a broad range of powers and functions available.