How Trafford was created
The Local Government Act 1972 reshaped councils across England. In Greater Manchester, it created ten metropolitan districts, including Trafford.
Trafford was formed from:
- the boroughs of Altrincham and Sale
- the urban districts of Bowdon, Hale and Urmston
- the rural district of Bucklow (Carrington, Dunham Massey, Partington and Warburton)
- the borough of Stretford
These areas were combined to create the metropolitan district of Trafford.
Metropolitan districts
Metropolitan districts were part of a two-tier system, sharing power with metropolitan county councils. In 1986, the county councils were abolished and most powers passed to the districts.
Today there are 36 metropolitan districts in large urban areas such as Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Tyne and Wear, West Midlands, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.
Borough status
On 1 April 1974 Trafford received a Royal Borough Charter. It is displayed at Trafford Town Hall.
Borough status is honorary. It does not give extra powers to the council or residents. It allows the council to use the title borough and for the chair and vice-chair of the council to be styled Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
How borough status is granted
Borough charters are granted under section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972.
To apply, a council must pass a resolution with a two-thirds majority. The petition is then submitted to the monarch through the Privy Council. If granted, the district becomes a borough.
What borough status means
- The district becomes a borough.
- The district council becomes the borough council.
- The chair and vice-chair may be styled Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Borough status is an honour. It does not change the functions or responsibilities of the council.