Neath Rural District

It covered the Neath and Dulais valleys and surrounding areas, and while it contained rural communities it was largely dominated by industry, notably coal mining.

Neath Rural District was created in December 1894 and from the 1930s onwards was controlled by the Labour Party.

The council was responsible for sanitation, public health and housing.

It later gained the powers of an urban district council, to make bye-laws for developments such as new streets and buildings.

As a result of the Local Government Act 1972, Neath Rural District was abolished and, in 1974, it was incorporated into the new Neath Borough Council.