In the Northern Beaches area, the idea of a County Council, specifically dealing with the control and development of electric utilities in the area shared by Manly Municipality and Warringah Shire first occurred in 1938 and again in 1943 but was postponed for consideration because of the Second World War.

In its report of 14 March 1951 the Commission identified advantages of creating a county council comprising the two local government areas for the purpose of developing consistent electric utilities in the region.

The inaugural meeting was held at the Manly Municipal Council Chamber on 15 August and commenced operations on 1 September 1951.

[2] On 14 September 1962 the Minister for Local Government and Highways, Pat Hills, opened the new headquarters building of the County Council, located on 48-52 Sydney Road, Manly.

The Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled that under the ordinances of the Local Government Act 1919, the council had liability over damage to adjoining properties to any of its developments.

Gledhill, who had noted to the Sydney Morning Herald that "They wanted something historic, something to represent light and something from the so-called arms of Manly and Warringah.