The Public Health Act 1872 would have transferred sewerage and sanitary powers from the Walthamstow Vestry to the West Ham Board of Guardians.

After the First World War the Walthamstow Guardian led a campaign to have the district incorporated and a petition was submitted to the privy council in 1920.

Following the strike, the council was found to be in neglect of duty and this led to the delay of the official grant of borough status until 1929.

However, thanks to the rapid suburban development of London, the population of Walthamstow was high enough, therefore it was permitted to take over responsibility from the school board for elementary education.

[7] Walthamstow formed part of the review area of the Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London.

The report of the commission proposed that Walthamstow should be combined with Chingford to form one of 52 boroughs in Greater London.