Papers of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities

Principally files of agendas and minutes of the Policy Committee, and sub committees, 1973-1997; agenda and minutes of the Planning and Transportation Committee, 1978-1986; Highways and Transportation Committee, 1986-87, Highways Committee, 1988-1995; Public Transport Committee, 1987-93; Planning and Economic Development Committee (Development Committee from Jul 1993), 1984-95; Police and Fire Committee, 1981-1985; Fire and Emergency Planning Committee, 1988-1994; Police Committee, 1986-1996; Housing Committee, 1977-1996; Public Services Committee, 1990-1996; Public Works Committee, 1976-1989. Copies of circular letters to members, 1987-1996; publications of the Association 1975-1990.

Administrative/Biographical History

The Association of Metropolitan Authorities (AMA) was set up following local government reorganisation in April 1974. It took over the premises of the Association of Municipal Corporations in Old Queen Street, London. Its membership comprised the metropolitan county and metropolitan district councils, the Greater London Council (including the Inner London Education Authority), the London Borough Councils and the Corporation of the City of London. Its objectives were generally to protect and further the interests of its member authorities as they may be affected by legislation or proposed legislation; to provide a forum for discussing matters of common concern and a means for formulating joint views; and to provide appropriate central services. in March 1997. Although there had been discussions about the possibility of a single association to represent all local authorities in the run up to local government reorganisation in 1974, these proposals failed at that time. However, in March 1997 the AMA was wound up when it merged with a number of other local authority associations to form the Local Government Association (LGA). This was set up in April 1997 to represent all local authorities in England and Wales.

Reference: A list of the historical records retained by the Association of District Councils compiled by Philippa Bassett as part of a research project funded by the Social Science Research Council (Birmingham: Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, University of Birmingham, 1980)

The collection is arranged chronologically within each series.

Access Conditions

Open. A 50 year closure period applies to some papers. Access to all registered researchers.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Records deposited by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities in 1993; additional deposits made in 1998 and 2001 by the Local Government Association.

See full catalogue for more information.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the University Archivist, Special Collections. Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Special Collections will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

Further deposits are expected.

University of Birmingham Information Services, Special Collections Department also holds the predecessor of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of Municipal Corporations (GB 150 AMC), which includes records of the Non-County Boroughs Association, together with papers of other local authority associations including the Association of County Councils (GB 150 ACC); County Councils Association (GB 150 CCA); Urban District Councils Association (GB 150 UDCA); Rural District Councils Association (GB 150 RDCA); Association of District Councils (GB 150 ADC).