The most acceptable proposal, first made in 1765, was for a dedicated body of commissioners to levy a rate to carry out certain precisely defined functions, such as ensuring the efficient working of the markets, and the provision of street lighting.

[2] The Board of Street Commissioners originally consisted of fifty residents, unpaid, each of whom owned property with a rateable value of over fifteen pounds.

At first, they met in whatever room was available, but the 1801 act allowed them to build a dedicated Public Office in Moor Street, designed by William Hollins, which was shared with the magistrates.

[2] One of their early targets was the control and reorganisation of the markets, concentrating them into the area now known as the Bull Ring.

This was a result of new markets being established across the town in scattered locations, often in narrow streets, which created severe congestion.

It was gutted by incendiary bombs in the Birmingham Blitz, during World War II and the remaining walls demolished in 1963.

3. c. 36) empowered the commissioners to appoint night-watchmen, but they had insufficient funds to do so until 1801, however they supervised a privately paid watch from 1783.

Among the major buildings they commissioned were the aforementioned Public Office on Moor Street, and Market Hall, both now demolished.

[1] Perhaps the most significant lasting legacy of the street commissioners is the Birmingham Town Hall, which they commissioned, and which was built between 1832 and 1834 in order to house music festivals.

c. xciii), which gave the town council all of their powers (together with their property and debts) this took effect from the beginning of 1852.