| Description | The Special committee was appointed in April 1894 'to confer with the Clerk as to the Action necessary to be taken with regard to bringing into operation the Local Government Act of 1894, and with full power to deal therewith.' (See GP B/2/12/2/1). Consisting of six Guardians, the committee met regularly from April to July 1894 to discuss the effect the Act would have. The Act's main thrust was the establishment of county and borough councils, which were seen by central government as the natural successors to the Poor Law Unions. The Act also meant that the working class men and women of Birmingham were enfranchised, finally allowing them to vote for the Guardians.
As the minutes only cover a brief period of time, they are somewhat lacking in detail. However, as well as the minutes themselves, the volume also contains a copy of the printed clerk's report relating to the effect of the Act on Birmingham. |